The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has officially lifted quarantine restrictions on animal movements in Kazo District which were imposed due to a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. This decision comes after a successful vaccination campaign that achieved over 95.9% coverage and the implementation of necessary health measures.

Since January 2024, quarantine restrictions had prohibited the movement of cattle, goats, sheep and related products in and out of Kazo District as mandated by the Animal Diseases Act Cap 38. Following the comprehensive vaccination efforts, district leaders submitted a report to MAAIF requesting the reopening of animal markets.

During a meeting at the district headquarters, the Chief Administrative Officer, Hajji Badru Mayanja thanked the production department and all district leaders for their efforts in combating FMD. He urged everyone to maintain public awareness and security especially since surrounding districts are yet to complete their vaccination campaigns.

Deputy District Internal Security Officer Mr. Joseph Mugume who represented the Resident District Commissioner echoed these sentiments and praised the team’s commitment to tackling FMD.

District Production Officer Mr. Zefrine Tumwesigye assured attendees that strict monitoring will be enforced for animal movements from outside Kazo District to prevent any resurgence of the disease.

Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, the LC5 Chairman lauded the production department’s diligence and called for coordinated action to avert future outbreaks given the ongoing risks in neighboring districts.

The district leadership plans to release detailed guidelines soon regarding the reopening and management of animal markets to ensure safe animal movements and prevent the spread of FMD from neighboring areas.

Police in Sheema District have arrested one person and are actively searching for another in connection with the murder of a 68-year-old man.

The incident occurred on March 9, 2025, at around 12:00 PM in Nyamwambo Cell, Kasana Sub County, Sheema District. Marcial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson, confirmed the details and identified the suspects as Fred Murangira, 38, and Obed Bariho, both residents of the area.

The deceased, Patrick Kanwa, 68, was a peasant and a resident of Nyakibere 2 Cell in the same sub-county. It is alleged that Kanwa had been involved in an extramarital affair with Ketra Manywoha, who is the wife of Murangira.

Sources indicate that Murangira had repeatedly warned Kanwa to end the affair, but the deceased did not comply. On the night of the incident, Kanwa allegedly went to meet Manywoha as he had on previous occasions. It is believed that Murangira and Bariho confronted Kanwa and ultimately assaulted him, leading to his death.

Following the incident, Murangira fled to an undisclosed location, while Bariho was arrested and has been handed over to the police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Residents of Nyungu I and Nyungu II in Kyampangara Subcounty,Kazo district gathered at the Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office yesterday to voice grievances against a local farmer, Jane Ampaire Tushabe, whose livestock have been wreaking havoc on their crops. The concerned farmers, revealed that the destruction of their crops by Tushabe’s animals has been a persistent issue since 2015.

Community members expressed their deepening concern over a threat of famine as the ongoing damage has rendered them unable to cultivate their fields effectively. “We are worried about impending famine in our parish as we can no longer grow crops with fear of them being destroyed by these animals,” stated one resident.

James Tushabe who was married to Ampaire until 1995 when they stopped putting up under one roof revealed that while he is the owner of the land,he has no hand whatsoever in what his estranged wife and children are doing to the locals. He encouraged the locals to follow the law to the dot until they find legal redress.

Tushabe expressed disappointment in the district authorities for their failure to address the matter that has threatened residents with famine and loss lives.

Asiimwe Absolom, the parish councilor for Nyungu who also doubles as the subcounty speaker, confirmed the residents’ complaints emphasizing that the issue had gone unresolved for far too long. “This has been a significant problem for us and it’s time for action to be taken,” Asiimwe remarked.

Mugisha Paddy, the Deputy RDC for Kazo District assured the residents that they are aware of the situation and are committed to intervening. “It is our responsibility to address this issue,” he said adding that ‘a resolution is expected by Monday’.

Residents are hopeful that the meeting with the RDC’s office will lead to a timely resolution of the matter allowing them to resume their agricultural activities without fear of losing their hard work to roaming livestock.

The villages of Obwiino, Rwentaka and Nyabwina in Bumbaire subcounty Bushenyi district are facing an imminent food crisis after a powerful hailstorm wreaked havoc on their agricultural plantations and homes. The storm which lasted three intense hours brought heavy downpours that destroyed critical crops including coffee, bananas, cassava and bean seedlings.

Residents are grappling with the aftermath of the storm, assessing the extent of the destruction and the impact it will have on their livelihoods. Kyompaire Evas, a resident of Rwentaka Village expressed deep concern about the damage to her community’s gardens and the looming threat of starvation. “This storm has left many of us without food and we are afraid of what the future holds,” she stated.

The local leadership is equally alarmed. Bakunda Saverino, the LC1 Chairperson has made a heartfelt appeal to the government for immediate assistance. “We urgently need food relief items and seedlings to help our communities recover from this disaster. Many families are on the brink of starvation,” he urged.

As families begin to recover from the shock, the urgent need for support and resources is clear highlighting the vulnerability of agricultural communities to extreme weather events. The situation remains critical as residents battle not only the physical destruction of their homes and fields but also the emotional toll of uncertainty about their future food security.