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Animal industry state minister Lt Col Bright Rwamirama has launched a 12-member task force to contain tsetse flies and trypanosomiasis across the country.

The task force was launched on Monday, April 15, at the Ministry of Agriculture offices in Entebbe Municipality.

Led by Dr John Patrick Kabayo, other members of the task force include, Dr Maxwell Otim, Lawrence Tusimomuhangi, Dr Patience Rwamigisa, Albert Mugenyi, Carolyn Nakyeyune, Kenneth Mugabi and Julius Mugonza.

Others are Stephen Kayongo, Bethy Ansimire, Dr Robert Wangoola, Dr Charles Wamboga and Fred Luyimbazi.

According to Rwamirama, the government is aware that trypanosomiasis in livestock is widespread in most areas of the country, especially the cattle corridor. It was noted that tsetse flies, as vectors, are responsible for sleeping sickness in humans and Nagana in livestock.

Lt. Col. Bright Rwamirama, the minister of State for animal industry. (Photo by Julus Luwemba)

"It is estimated that about 6.3 million of Uganda's cattle population live under the threat and challenge of the disease while 10 million people live at the risk of contracting sleeping sickness," noted Rwamirama.

Data from the agriculture ministry also indicated that the most affected districts include the island districts of Kalangala and Buvuma as well as those bordering Lake Mburo National Park such as Isingiro, Mbarara, Rakai, Lyantonde and Kiruhura. Others bordering Murchison Falls National Park are also reported to be infested by tsetse flies. These include, Nwoya, Masindi, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Oyam, Nakasongola and Amuru.

Dr Kaboyo, the lead consultant, also pointed out some districts in the West Nile region as being affected. Among these include, Arua, Maracha, Koboko, Terego, Moyo, Adjumani, Madi-Okollo, Pakwach and Nebbi. The districts of South Eastern Uganda include Iganga, Mayuge, Bugiri, Namutumba, Kaliro, Kamuli, Tororo, Buliisa and Buyende.

He intimated that the colonial government carried out extensive, protracted operations during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, which saw the eradication of tsetse flies in most of the regions in Uganda.

Ronald Segawa, the undersecretary, who also represented the permanent secretary in the agriculture ministry, underscored that tsetse flies have far-reaching consequences including frustrating efforts to increase livestock production and productivity.

"We may not be able to solve the challenges of household income if we do not first solve the problem of tsetse flies," Segawa argued.

Rwamirama acknowledged that investments in tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis control have been receiving minimal attention leading to the re-emergence of the tsetse vector in such areas that had been regarded as tsetse fly-free.

As the task force embarks on developing a comprehensive strategy against tsetse flies, the agriculture ministry has so far distributed a total of 10,500 pyramidal traps to 28 districts as well as 800 screens to Kalangala district.

The new task force was charged with conducting a rapid situational analysis of tsetse flies and trypanosomiasis in infested areas as well as reviewing existing project documents on tsetse flies. The task force was also tasked to document the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in control of tsetse flies and trypanosomiasis in addition to proposing strategies on how to control and eradicate tsetse flies in different ecosystems.

It was granted a period of two months, to have combed different areas of the country and to have produced a report that will advise the government on the next course of action.