Livestock farmers and cattle traders in Kamwenge District will have to wait longer before cattle markets reopen after district authorities resolved to maintain the closure until all eligible animals are vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
The decision was reached on Tuesday during a meeting of the district FMD Task Force chaired by Kamwenge Resident District Commissioner Africano Aharikundira, as authorities intensified measures to prevent the spread of the highly contagious livestock disease.
Aharikundira said the continued closure of livestock markets is intended to support the government’s mandatory vaccination campaign and protect farmers from losses associated with disease outbreaks.
"We have agreed that cattle markets will remain closed until the vaccination exercise is completed and veterinary authorities confirm that all eligible animals have been vaccinated. This is necessary to protect our district from Foot and Mouth Disease," Aharikundira said.
He said the national vaccination campaign is targeting more than 44.5 million livestock across Uganda, adding that Kamwenge cannot relax preventive measures while neighbouring districts continue to report outbreaks.
Kamwenge introduced FMD control measures on June 10, ordering the closure of all livestock markets for one month after outbreaks were confirmed in neighbouring Kazo and Kyegegwa districts.
District authorities said Kamwenge remains at risk because of its proximity to affected areas and the existence of porous borders that make monitoring livestock movement difficult.
Aharikundira said restrictions on the movement of livestock and livestock products will remain in place until veterinary authorities confirm that the threat of transmission has been contained.
"We are appealing to farmers, traders and the general public to cooperate with veterinary and security officials. These measures are temporary but necessary to stop the disease from entering Kamwenge," he said.
The district has also maintained a ban on the entry of livestock and animal products, including milk and meat, from areas affected by the outbreak.
Veterinary authorities have urged farmers to present all eligible animals for vaccination, saying immunisation remains the most effective way of controlling FMD and allowing livestock trade to resume safely.
District officials said the restrictions will only be lifted after veterinary teams confirm that the vaccination exercise has been completed and Kamwenge is no longer at immediate risk of an outbreak.
