The Kazo district foot and mouth disease (FMD) task force has announced new measures in the fight against the spread of the contagious livestock disease. Among the new measures is that farmers will now be allowed to sell their animals on the farms. 

The district imposed a total animal quarantine on December 21, 2023, to stem the spread of a new wave of FMD.

Now, farmers must set up footbaths at the gates of their farms and all loading of the sold animals will be at the farm, according to the measures announced by the task force.

Kazo district production officer John Baptist Asiimwe, who presented the new measures during a stakeholder meeting at the district head offices on Friday, January 5, 2024, explained that the measure seeks to enable parents to raise funds for their children ahead of the new school term in coming weeks. They will also be able to cater for their households’ basic needs.

Kazo district production officer John Baptist Asiimwe presenting the new ser of measures. (Photo by Stephen Nuwagira)

Kazo Resident District Commissioner Captain Yahaya Kakooza noted that no one will be allowed to bring in animals, explaining that only outgoing animals sold by farmers qualify under the new measure.

Kazo imposed a 14-day total quarantine across the district on December 21, restricting all animal movements and slaughter of animals, which expired on January 4.

Other measures

However, livestock markets remain closed for 14 more days, while Kiguma in Burunga sub-county and Kijuma in Rwemikoma sub-county will remain under total quarantine restrictions as “there are many new FMD cases in these areas' '.

Tricky balance

Officials say the reviewed measures have taken into consideration the gains made during the quarantine period and are looking to curtail the further spread of the disease and also enable farmers to earn a living. Many people in Kazo depend on cattle for a living.

Status update

Asiimwe cited “interference by political leaders” as one of the challenges faced by the task force during the implementation of the guidelines.

The current wave of the outbreak was first reported in Mugore in Rwemikoma sub-county, where a total of 77 heads of cattle on two farms got sick. "Only five of these are still sick with signs of FMD," said Asiimwe, noting that they carried out ring vaccination in the affected areas and sensitised the farmers on combating the disease.

However, Asiimwe said during the meeting that 72 animals in Kijuma Burunga sub-county are still showing signs but are in the process of recovery.

He added that the district has put in place biosafety footbaths on roads in the affected areas to stem the spread of the disease.

He decried the lack of security personnel and political interference, saying they were affecting enforcement efforts.

Kiruhura, Sembabule and Lyantonde are the other districts in the cattle corridor battling FMD.

Concerted efforts

Kazo LC5 chairperson Samuel Katugunda said although the quarantine restrictions were relaxed, more needed to be done to ensure the disease is eradicated from the district.

“We need the support and co-operation of everyone if we are to fully fight and stop the spread of this disease,” he added.

Kazo LC5 chairperson Samuel Katugunda said although the quarantine restrictions were relaxed, more needs to be done to ensure the disease is eradicated from the district. (Photo by Stephen Nuwagira)

The chairperson lashed out at some LC chairpersons for reportedly issuing cattle movement permits to traders during the quarantine period. 

He also accused some greedy traders who have continued to sneak sick animals into the district from Kyenshama and Nyakasharara livestock markets in Kiruhura.

"We are going to arrest such people for sabotaging district efforts to stop the spread of FMD," Katugunda added.

Stakeholders

David Kananura, the Kazo district chairperson of livestock traders, thanked the leaders for the quick intervention, saying it had helped to check the spread of infectious diseases and, hence, supported the easing of the quarantine restrictions. He, however, noted that enforcement was low during the period.

“There is a loading site in Mugore that works at night, but what is surprising is that these people always have permits to move the animals. So, where have they been getting these permits when there was a total ban on animal movements?” Sam Aine of Rwemikoma sub-county said.