The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has distributed ninety thousand (90,000) doses of vaccines to twenty-three (23) severely affected districts in a bid to fight the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Ministers for Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze and Maj Bright Rwamirama oversaw the delivery of the vaccines at the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NaGRC) – Entebbe on Monday afternoon.
Funding for this emergency response program, amounting to Shillings 35 billion out of the required 93 billion, has been made possible through President Yoweri Museveni’s support.
Farmers will take responsibility for inoculation costs starting June 2024.
For the immediate emergency response, vaccines are being provided free of charge, with the ministry covering the cost of Shillings 200 per animal. Maj Bright Rwamirama assured that funds for vaccinations would be disbursed to District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) via mobile money to ensure farmers are not burdened with expenses.
The priority distribution of vaccines targets districts most affected by FMD, high-risk areas, and those in close proximity to cross-border transit hubs.
Alongside vaccine dissemination, the ministry is deploying 265 pharmaceutical refrigerators to maintain the efficacy of the vaccines, which remain potent for six months.
The recent escalation of the FMD outbreak has been exacerbated by lapses in follow-up vaccinations following a national campaign in 2022.
MAAIF aims to achieve an 80% vaccine coverage nationwide to effectively combat the spread of FMD and protect livestock livelihoods.
Addressing concerns raised by private dealers regarding government monopoly, Minister Frank Tumwebaze emphasized the critical importance of administering the correct vaccines to prevent further transmission of the disease.
Members of Parliament from affected districts, including Jovanice Twinobusingye from Kiruhura, Wilson Kajwengye from Nyabushozi, and Jenifer Muheesi from Kazo, commended the government’s efforts while urging for sustained resources over the next two years to maintain momentum.