The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has generously contributed vaccines and equipment worth over US$1 million to combat animal diseases in Uganda’s Karamoja region. The donation encompasses 300,000 doses of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines designed for cattle and other large ruminants, 140,000 doses for small ruminants, and an additional 200,000 doses for addressing lung disease in small ruminants.

In addition to the vaccines, the donation includes essential reagents and toolkits for laboratory use, which will significantly aid in the early detection of disease outbreaks. Field officers can promptly report any outbreaks to the ministry for swift action. Dr. Antonio Querido, the FAO country representative, officially presented this invaluable contribution to Maj Bright Rwamirama, the Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, at the National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Center (NADDEC) in Entebbe.

Querido emphasized the profound significance of this donation for the livestock sector, particularly in the vulnerable Karamoja region. The goal is to bolster the region’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks, benefiting not only Karamoja but the entire country. Karamoja has been designated a flashpoint by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) due to its nomadic population and porous international borders, which facilitate disease transmission.

Querido expressed gratitude to the European Union (EU) for their collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and other agencies in providing the funding necessary to make this donation possible. He underscored the substantial potential of Uganda’s livestock sector, emphasizing the importance of its sustainable development.

Minister Rwamirama, in turn, reaffirmed his personal commitment to overseeing the vaccination campaign in Karamoja next month as part of the broader effort to safeguard the national herd. He stressed the importance of regional cooperation in controlling livestock diseases, given the frequent cross-border movements among herding communities.

Uganda has recently entered into livestock disease control agreements with neighboring countries, including Tanzania and Kenya. Minister Rwamirama indicated that a similar agreement would soon be signed with South Sudan.

Notably, animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and lung-related illnesses have impeded the growth of the livestock sector in Karamoja. Nonetheless, Uganda’s livestock potential remains robust and competitive within the region, with the country expected to achieve a peak of 4 million liters of processed milk per day in the next two months. Rwamirama also mentioned that a Cabinet paper has been prepared to address historical animal health issues that have adversely affected beef production.

He extended his heartfelt appreciation to FAO and other partners for their unwavering support to the sector.