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The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries delivered 10,000 doses of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to Alebtong District, two months after the outbreak of the deadly cattle disease on Tuesday 9^th May 2023.

The district confirmed the outbreak of the disease in the areas of Adwir, Okomo, Alololo, and Ocokober in Adwir sub-county in March prompting a declaration of a temporary quarantine in the affected areas. But as a result of the laxity of the locals who disregarded the quarantine restrictions, the disease spread to the sub counties of Aneeta, Amugu Town Council and Omoro. The area has also been battling anthrax and Black Quarter Disease since last year.

The Ministry of Agriculture has now delivered 10,000 doses of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines and 1,350 doses of bronchitis, for the vaccination against Black Quarter Disease and anthrax.

Alebtong District Chairperson David Kennedy Odongo confirmed receipt of the consignment saying they are hopeful that the Ministry will add more doses to vaccinate animals across the district.

Francis Ogwang, the Chairperson of the Adwir sub-county wants the vaccination exercise to start immediately saying farmers need to use their oxen for ploughing.

Similarly, Isaac Apenyo, the Chairperson of Omoro sub-county is optimistic that upon vaccination, farmers will be able to sell the animals and send their children back to school on time.

However, Dr Charles Noki, the District Veterinary Officer said the vaccination exercise will kick start as soon as the district finds resources to conduct it.

The country has been battling an FMD outbreak since December 2020, when it was first detected in districts in the southern cattle corridor. The government also expanded cattle quarantine measures to cover more districts like Isingiro, Kiruhura, Sembabule, Kazo and Gomba as the disease spread further. Restrictions on the movement of livestock and livestock products were also imposed on more than 20 districts including Kampala, Wakiso, which are along the transit routes.

The Ministry procured 2.3 million FMD doses to carry out strategic vaccination of animals in affected and high-risk areas, and by the end of June, all the dozes hope to have been delivered with a possibility of procuring more.

Hon. Rwamirama says the government cannot afford to vaccinate all the animals in the country at a go but says that targeted vaccinations have been successful previously and will be the same this time. Rwamirama is worried that the quarantines might take longer than planned because of failure by officials and farmers to respect the guidelines.

In Uganda, the disease is largely spread due to illegal animal movements within the country and across international borders for pasture, water and trade, but also activities like cattle rustling. The ministry also cites what it calls unprofessional practices like the issuance of animal movement permits for animals from affected areas.

Hon. Rwamirama says if the local government officials, the farmers and the general public followed the quarantine guidelines, it would be easier to contain the outbreak in a shorter time.

The government targets to vaccinate at least 3 million heads of cattle by the end of the exercise, out of the total national cattle stock of 14.8 million. This is according to State Minister for Animal Husbandry Hon. Bright Rwamirama.