The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has instructed the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries to provide an update on the progress made in containing foot-and-mouth disease.
Acknowledging concerns raised by some farmers regarding the ministry’s enforced quarantine measures, Tayebwa emphasized the need to inform farmers whose livelihoods depend on these animals. He pointed out that leaders would face questions during constituency visits.
Responding to a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the Ministry of Agriculture has imposed a quarantine on 32 districts across the country. These affected districts, including Gomba, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, and Sembabule, have reported numerous cases of the disease in their herds.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the movement of livestock and livestock products into, out of, or through these districts is immediately prohibited. Tayebwa directed the agriculture minister to present a statement the following Thursday, providing details on the duration of the quarantine in these districts and its expected continuation.
“We need to be informed to effectively respond to these issues. We want to know the measures being taken by the minister and the government to resolve the matter. When will the farmers receive vaccines against Foot and Mouth Disease? How did the disease spread to different districts despite immediate lockdown measures? What measures are being implemented, and what is the ministry’s long-term plan to manage and mitigate the economic effects of foot-and-mouth disease?” expressed the deputy speaker.
He further directed the minister to update Parliament on the kind of support required from other stakeholders, including members of Parliament, to address this matter. “We do not intend to interfere with the ministry’s control measures, but we seek to be involved so that we are all on the same page. Otherwise, you will end up addressing different questions in your constituencies,” he added.
Uganda is home to approximately 40 million livestock, including 16 million goats, 15 million cattle, 5.6 million sheep, and 5 million swine.
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