Livestock farmers in Kabale District who fail to vaccinate their animals against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) under the government’s new compulsory Cost Recovery Scheme risk prosecution, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has warned.
The warning was issued during a farmers’ sensitisation meeting in Kabale on Thursday as the ministry intensified awareness campaigns ahead of the enforcement of the new vaccination policy.
The government in June introduced compulsory biannual vaccination of all Foot and Mouth Disease-susceptible livestock under a Cost Recovery Scheme, marking a major shift in efforts to control one of the country’s most economically damaging livestock diseases.
The Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama Kanyontore, previously said the policy aims to ensure sustainable control of the disease.
Speaking at the meeting, the Principal Veterinary Officer, Dr Grace Asiimwe, said MAAIF had partnered with the Kabale District Local Government to sensitise farmers on the new policy, which covers cattle, goats, sheep and pigs.
He said the previous risk-based vaccination strategy, which mainly targeted cattle in high-risk areas or during outbreaks, had failed to effectively contain the disease.
CUE IN DR ASIIMWE…ON FMD… RR/ENG//
Dr Asiimwe warned that livestock owners who fail to present their animals for vaccination will be prosecuted for violating the law. She added that unvaccinated animals will not be allowed into livestock markets or transported, while government is considering closing milk collection centres that continue receiving milk from unvaccinated herds.
He further said livestock found without proof of vaccination after the exercise will be quarantined in gazetted government holding areas, with owners risking loss of control over their animals.
According to Dr Asiimwe, the nationwide vaccination campaign began on July 1 and will end on August 31, with enforcement of the regulations starting on September 1.
CUE IN DR ASIIMWE…ON PENALTIES… RR/ENG//
The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Kabale, Christopher Bariyo, urged farmers to embrace the vaccination programme, describing agriculture and livestock farming as the backbone of Uganda’s economy.
He appealed to participants to share the information with fellow farmers to ensure widespread compliance and protect communities from the effects of Foot and Mouth Disease.
CUE IN ARDC BARIYO…ON FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE… RR//
Several farmers welcomed the government’s initiative but called for more public sensitisation.
Hilary Nigwomugisha Ian, Sam Bukoto, George Gumisiriza and Willy Tembe, all from Buhara Sub-county, said many farmers had previously lost livestock because some vaccinated their animals while others did not, allowing the disease to continue spreading.
They urged the government to intensify community awareness campaigns to encourage all livestock keepers to participate in the exercise.
CUE IN FARMERS….ON VACCINATION… RR//
Nicholas Kyokwijuka, a resident of Kakoko Village in Kitumba Sub-county also called for more comprehensive public education before enforcement begins. He said some farmers lost animals during previous vaccination campaigns, making others reluctant to participate.
He appealed to the government to strengthen sensitisation efforts to restore farmers’ confidence in the programme.
CUE IN KYOKWIJUKA…ON GOV’T SENSITISATION….RR//
Foot and Mouth Disease affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, goats, sheep and pigs. It causes wounds in the mouth and feet, excessive salivation, lameness, reduced milk production, infertility and can lead to death, particularly among young animals.
Uganda experienced one of its worst FMD outbreaks between late 2023 and mid-2024, especially in the cattle corridor, prompting quarantines and restrictions on animal movement that disrupted livestock trade and household incomes.
Under the new Cost Recovery Scheme, farmers will pay Shs8,000 per vaccine dose for cattle and pigs, and Shs4,000 per dose for goats and sheep.
