Government tasked to procure FMD vaccines for animals
Authorities in Mbarara city have tasked the government to avail the FMD vaccination doses for all the animals in the affected areas.
The call was made by Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the mayor Mbarara city, who observed that the animal movement restrictions should be lifted ahead of the go back-to-school season.
This follows the resurgence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the city area which prompted an animal quarantine to be instituted.
The affected are livestock farmers in Mbarara city in the areas of Rwenjeru, Ruti, Nyarubanga, Rwakishakiizi, Bunusya, and Rwemigiina wards among others.
Dr. Moses Amanyire, the Mbarara city Production officer, explained that FMD was first detected among cattle in Bunusya ward in Mbarara city North division last week.
Amanyire revealed that when the city veterinary team conducted tests, over 20 heads of cattle across the city tested positive for the FMD disease.
He further noted that they have now stopped the transportation of animals, including animal products in the city to contain the disease.
The move comes barely one week after the ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) slapped an animal quarantine on Mbarara city and Mbarara District over the disease.
According to the farmers and traders in the area, the closure of the livestock markets with only one week until the opening of the New Year academic term, is a big blow to the parents who sell animals in order to raise school fees.
In the parliamentary seating last week, the Deputy Speaker of parliament, Thomas Tayebwa also tasked the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), Hon. Frank Tumwebaze to present a statement on interventions to curb the spread of foot and mouth disease.
Tayebwa noted that up to 32 districts in the cattle corridor are facing quarantine and people in the cattle corridor would like to know when the quarantine will be ending and when the farmers will get vaccines.
