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Kiruhura has set tough restrictions including daily night patrols targeting to combat the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) in the district.

Kiruhura is among the 36 districts with FMD outbreaks in the country. Others affected in the Ankole region, include Isingiro, Kazo, Mbarara city, Mbarara district, Ntungamo, and Rwampara.

Speaking during an FMD task force meeting on Thursday, February 8, 2024, Kiruhura district chairperson Dan Mukago reported that out of 14 local councils in the district four including Kashongi and Kutura sub-counties are under total quarantine over FMD cases.

The meeting chaired by Resident District Commissioner George Bakunda was held at the district headquarters. 

Mukago said 10 local governments which are not affected by the FMD outbreak are allowed to sell their milk and other animal products but are restricted to only loading animals at the farms and lorries must be disinfected before entering any farm.

Bakunda, who chaired the task force and security meeting, hailed the Government for coming up strongly with clear guidance to fight the disease. He urged all residents of Kiruhura and leaders at all levels to speak the same language and vowed to deal with all those who would not abide by the set restrictions. He directed all sub-counties to hold similar meetings to sensitise farmers about the disease and fight it to the end.

“The livelihood of every citizen in this district is derived either from the sale of the animal or its products and we convened this meeting to internalise the measures and fight the disease," he said.

Bakunda also directed all sub-counties to follow Cabinet resolutions on FDM

He also ordered for the closure of all loading sites in the district and no animal is allowed to move on foot.

Amon Tayebwa, the animal production officer Kiruhura district, said all animal markets in the district will remain closed as the district continues to monitor the situation until the district is declared free of FMD

District chief administrative officer Charles Kiberu encouraged all extension workers and local leaders to support the district and enforce the quarantine restrictions.

Leaders hailed the cost-sharing idea which is expected to enable farmers to get vaccines. 

Sanga town council mayor Safar Mugyenyi told journalists that this idea will save farmers from the high costs of treating animals. 

Mukago gave farmers hope that the disease would be fought within one month and called for cooperation.