Ntungamo receives timely boost in fight against foot and mouth disease

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has donated livestock items and other equipment to the Ntungamo district in the fight against foot and mouth disease (FMD).

Dr Yake Basulira, the district veterinary officer, received the items from the ministry alongside district officials, including Ntungamo deputy resident district commissioner Rosemary Atuhaire, Chief Administrative Officer Mathias Ndifuna, Dr Denis Byarugaba, the senior veterinary officer (SVO) and Ezra Kwesiga-mukama, the district senior internal auditor, among others.

According to Basulira, the consignment delivered on Monday is worth over sh500m.

The consignment had 60,000 doses of foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine, three refrigerators and freezer, two cool boxes, two power stabilizers, one deep freezer (trace), 500 litres of deltamethrin (acaricide), 50 tsetse fly traps.

Ntungamo District Veterinary Officer Dr Yake Basulira showing the deputy RDC, Rosemary Atuhaire the list of items. (Photo by Rwambuka Mugisha)

The package also included a vaccine for lumpy skin disease, dozes of PPR vaccine, and Rabies vaccine.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Atuhaire commended the government for what she termed as timely delivery. She urged the veterinary workers to prioritize farmers who are mostly affected, especially in the sub-counties of Rugarama North, Nyamukana, Itojo, Nyakyera and other areas where FMD is still a problem.

Atuhaire explained that the program of vaccinating cattle against foot and mouth disease is to commence on May 20, 2024.

She pledged that the items received would be used effectively to stop FMD.