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Uganda and Botswana are set to collaborate in the development of a vaccine for foot and mouth disease (FMD) , a significant challenge to Uganda’s cattle industry. The Botswana Vaccine Institute will assist Uganda in finding a longlasting solution to this disease.

This partnership was revealed during a meeting between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Botswana scientists, and officials from Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation at State House, Entebbe, on Monday, February 19.

(PPU)

(PPU)

The initiative follows a bilateral meeting between Presidents Museveni and Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi of Botswana on January 22, 2024, at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, on the sidelines of the G77+ China Third South Summit.

Botswana Vaccine Institute scientists have already collected samples from affected cattle in Uganda, which will be used to develop the vaccine.

President Museveni expressed his appreciation for the collaboration and endorsed the partnership to produce the vaccine locally in Uganda.

Museveni meets Botswana Vaccine Institute CEO. (PPU)

“The other time, I also discussed with H.E Mokgweetsi about animal feeds, if the Botswana companies could come here because we have a lot of maize. For instance, the other year we produced five million tonnes, but we consumed one million tonnes internally, so if there are companies which want animal feeds for local consumption and also for export back to Botswana, they are welcome,” President Museveni said.

Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze informed the President that scientists from Botswana Vaccine Institute agreed to partner with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) , to develop a vaccine to combat foot and mouth disease in Uganda.

“In our discussions, they agreed to the idea that they can partner with us — NARO, to develop their kind of vaccine. They are now serving Southern Africa, so they believe they can also help us to produce for East Africa,” Tumwebaze said.

The minister said they also convinced the delegation from Botswana to buy milk from Uganda, explaining that it is of high quality, and it is not from the affected areas where there is foot and mouth disease.

Andrew Madeswi, the Botswana Vaccine Institute CEO, said that the mission of collecting samples has been achieved and the next step is testing the samples, and the final findings of the report will be out on March 29, 2024.

Andrew Madeswi, the Botswana Vaccine Institute CEO. (PPU)

The Institute’s technical director, Mokganedi Mokopasetso, said that while collecting samples, they visited three districts in the western part of the country, three districts in the Eastern part of the country and they were also able to visit some sub-counties where they visited farms, and they were convinced that their mission was successful.

(PPU)

The meeting was also attended by science minister Dr Monica Musenero, lands minister Judith Nabakooba, animal industry state minister Bright Rwamirama, Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Paul Amoru, agriculture ministry permanent secretary Maj. Gen. David Kyomukama Kasura among others.