Livestock disease hits Isingiro
Jan 27, 2008
FOOT and mouth, a deadly cattle disease locally known as<i> ejjwa</i>, has broken out in Isingiro, the district veterinary officer, Dr. Bruhan Kasozi, has said.
By Ebenezer Bifubyeka
FOOT and mouth, a deadly cattle disease locally known as ejjwa, has broken out in Isingiro, the district veterinary officer, Dr. Bruhan Kasozi, has said.
“The disease crossed with the infected cattle in Karagwe district in northern Tanzania to Endiizi and Mbale sub-counties in Bukanga County (near) the Uganda-Tanzania border,†he said.
Speaking to The New Vision on phone on Thursday, Dr. Kasozi said they had imposed a quarantine on cattle and stopped livestock markets in the district so as to contain the disease.
“Besides, we have ordered for 60,000 doses of vaccine from the ministry (of agriculture) to carry out massive vaccination,†he said.
Dr. Kasozi added that they had asked the Tanzanian authorities to also close their livestock markets but this had not been done, thereby leading to the spread of the disease to Uganda.
“We closed our two livestock markets here but Ndyabatuura market in Karagwe is still operating. We asked the Tanzania authorities to shift it at least 15kms inland but they did not,†he said.
According to the state minister for animal industry, Maj. Bright Rwamirama, anybody found transporting cattle without a permit would be jailed for seven years. He said besides affecting the country’s trade in the international market, the disease had led to low production of milk and meat.
Dr. Kasozi said traders transporting cattle illegally would pay a sh2m fine.
But he added that corruption at the border was affecting enforcement of the fine.
“Some Police officers take bribes to allow infected cattle cross to Uganda.â€
FOOT and mouth, a deadly cattle disease locally known as ejjwa, has broken out in Isingiro, the district veterinary officer, Dr. Bruhan Kasozi, has said.
“The disease crossed with the infected cattle in Karagwe district in northern Tanzania to Endiizi and Mbale sub-counties in Bukanga County (near) the Uganda-Tanzania border,†he said.
Speaking to The New Vision on phone on Thursday, Dr. Kasozi said they had imposed a quarantine on cattle and stopped livestock markets in the district so as to contain the disease.
“Besides, we have ordered for 60,000 doses of vaccine from the ministry (of agriculture) to carry out massive vaccination,†he said.
Dr. Kasozi added that they had asked the Tanzanian authorities to also close their livestock markets but this had not been done, thereby leading to the spread of the disease to Uganda.
“We closed our two livestock markets here but Ndyabatuura market in Karagwe is still operating. We asked the Tanzania authorities to shift it at least 15kms inland but they did not,†he said.
According to the state minister for animal industry, Maj. Bright Rwamirama, anybody found transporting cattle without a permit would be jailed for seven years. He said besides affecting the country’s trade in the international market, the disease had led to low production of milk and meat.
Dr. Kasozi said traders transporting cattle illegally would pay a sh2m fine.
But he added that corruption at the border was affecting enforcement of the fine.
“Some Police officers take bribes to allow infected cattle cross to Uganda.â€