The Ministry for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has given out a total of 900000 free doses of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines to 23 Districts regarded as highly affected.
The districts include those which are on porous borders between Uganda and Tanzania, Uganda-DR Congo and Uganda-Kenya.
According to MAAIF permanent secretary Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, the ministry is going to procure a total of close to 10million doses of FMD vaccines of which 900000 doses have already arrived and given out to the 23 Districts regarded as highly affected.
The districts include Kyotera, Rakai, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Lyantonde, Kiruhura, Sembabule, Bukedea, Mubende, Kamwenge, Kyankwanzi, Nakasongola, Mbarara, Sheema and Lwengo. Others include Katakwi, Nakaseke, Rukungiri, Kiboga, Gomba, Ntoroko, Kabalore and Kazo.
He says in total, 9.824,150 doses have been procured of which 900000 doses have so far been received and given out to the 23 districts at the launch of the mass vaccination campaign at Entebbe.
He says the vaccines are being supplied by Boehringer Ingelheim which is supplying 2.350000 doses of which 900000 arrived on May3 2024 and more 900000 doses are expected on May 17 and then 550000 will come on June 7.
Another supplier is Agricultural Research Institute of Egypt which is bringing 3millon doses on May 15 while another supplier-Kenya Veterinary Vaccine Production Institute is also bringing 3million doses of which 700000 will arrive on May 15 and 2.3million doses come on June 15. The last supplier is Botswana Vaccine Institute which will bring a total of 1,474,150 doses bringing the grand total to 9,824,150 doses to come to the country.
Kasura said during the launch that from October last year to date, over 40 districts have reported Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). He said the first phase is covering highly affected districts, but the next batch will target those at high risk before going to the 3rd phase of those in transit areas.
He said in addition to procuring the vaccines, the ministry has also procured a total of 260 fridges and freezers to be given out to districts for purposes of storing the vaccines at recommended temperatures. He said this has been done in order to ensure that all animal vaccines remain effective until they are administered in animal bodies.
He said of the 260 fridges and freezers, 200 will go to districts, 40 at regional centers and laboratories while 20 will remain within the ministry.
“DVOs, we need to solve this problem on behalf of our people. We must know that we hold these public offices on behalf of the people. Don’t play around with these Vaccines. If you do, there might be a problem” he warned, adding that the ministry has provided facilitation for vaccination of animals and therefore expects no charging of farmers for this exercise.
Meanwhile, officiating at the launch, MAAIF Minister Frank Kagyigi Tumwebaze, noted that the launch symbolized a steady journey towards total elimination of FMD in Uganda. He commended President Museveni for the support towards realizing funding for these vaccinations and also thanked first son Muhoozi Kainerugaba for linking Uganda to Egypt which is supplying at a low cost 3million doses.
He said cabinet approved Shs93bn for procurement of FMD vaccines of which Shs35bn have so far been released and committed to the procurement of these important vaccines.
He explained that the districts that have so far been given are the most prone and that the ministry is trying to disrupt transmission.
“Another batch is coming. There’s always a starting point. We’re starting with cattle because it’s the most traded in. But we shall add sheep, goat and pigs because ideally, that’s our target. When we vaccinate the whole country, Uganda will be declared FMD-free and that will boost our trade in dairy and animal products” he said.
The minister noted that markets have become centers for disease spread and therefore urged Chief Administrative Officers and District Veterinary Officers to utilize these vaccines well because they are very expensive.
“Farmers now know the dangers of quarantine. It’s a design (for us) to help stop the spread of the disease. Markets are becoming centers of disease spread. You bring a cow to the market, it’s not bought and you take it back home with disease” he noted and urged farmers not to hide their cows instead of bringing them for vaccination under the pretext that they are dodging taxation.
Tumwebaze however, emphasized that the quarantine is still on and that it will be lifted after vaccination and advice by doctors. He also warned the farmers against being duped by unscrupulous individuals claiming to have FMD vaccines, saying Importation of these vaccines is solely by government. He said those claiming to have them are simply masqueraders who should be avoided because they are selling fakes.
“The government policy is that no private actor should import FMD vaccines. If we allow every importer to import, they will bring in strains/clans/ tribes of FMD which is not here. So, people don’t fall victims of those quacks. They are selling fakes and as government we must protect our people” he explained.
The function was attended by state minister for Animal husbandry Bright Rwamirama, Members of Parliament and technical staff from the ministry and Districts.
Rwamirama noted that FMD has been able to ravage the country because of laxity among districts to enforce regulations.
“There’s a breakdown in control. You (districts) have allowed people to open markets, people to move cattle. I implore CAOs and DVOs to ensure compliance” he said adding that they should not miss use these vaccines.
