Residents in Jinja using ARVs to fatten pigs

Piggery farmers in Kayunga district have adopted a vice of using ARVs to fatten pigs, NilePost has learnt.

This was revealed by the authorities during a stakeholders meeting that was organised by the National Drug Authority (NDA) to sensitise veterinary doctors in Kayunga and Mukono.

According to the South Eastern regional manager of the National Drug Authority Lukwago Muhammad, the officials have on several occasions received reports about this misuse of ARVs.

''We have received several complaints about the misuse of ARVs and unfortunately our resources are limited to curtail this vice because as the NDA, our numbers are limited and we can't go on ground to find out what it done.'' -  NDA regional manager, Lukwago Muhammad told journalists.

He says that they have now embarked on a sensitisation drive to sensitise the veterinary doctors who are expected to spread the message to the farmers about the health hazards of using ARVs on their pigs. He added that this pauses health risks to the consumers.

Kayunga district RDC Kikomeko Mwanamwoiza also asked government to introduce a unit that will monitor veterinary services in the country saying this could be one of the reasons for the scarcity of ARVs in the country because they're apparently being misused by the farmers.

The farmers on the other hand are saying that the ARVs are good for boosting the size of their pigs. It is not yet clear if this is widespread among other areas in Busoga region.