The government of Uganda has secured a substantial 400 billion shillings to procure 44 million vaccines aimed at vaccinating 88 million animals across 146 districts, as part of a targeted strategy to combat the burden of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
The announcement was made by Dr. Ann Rose Okurut Ademun, Commissioner for Animal Health in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, during the national launch of the Agricultural Policy Research Centre (APRC) at Makerere University.
Okurut represented the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, who highlighted the government’s growing concern over the rising number of FMD cases, which have severely impacted the country’s beef export potential.
She expressed appreciation for the government’s commitment, noting that the 400 billion shillings allocated for the procurement of the vaccines is crucial for vaccinating over 88 million animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats.
She added that the nationwide vaccination campaign will officially begin in June 2025.
“The vaccines will play a pivotal role in controlling the spread of FMD and ensuring the health of our livestock,” she said, stressing that the national campaign also provides an opportunity to gather vital livestock data across the country. This data will be essential for future planning, as farmers will be required to register all their animals.
In addition to the vaccination campaign, Okurut revealed that the government plans to introduce a revolving fund for the program.
In the future, farmers will be expected to contribute towards the cost of vaccinating their animals, ensuring the program’s sustainability and guaranteeing a continuous supply of vaccines to protect livestock from potential FMD outbreaks.
The government is also in the final stages of reviewing sector laws, including the Animal Health Act and the Animal Diseases Act, to identify areas for potential amendments aimed at strengthening the country’s response to livestock diseases.
Okurut concluded by emphasizing that these measures reflect Uganda’s commitment to safeguarding its livestock industry and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector.
About APRC
Uganda’s agricultural sector is a cornerstone of its economy, with the potential to drive sustainable economic growth, reduce poverty, and promote agro-industrialization.
The government has set ambitious targets, including increasing agriculture’s contribution to the GDP, ensuring food and nutrition security by 2030, and creating decent employment opportunities for women and youth, with the goal of halving poverty levels by that same year.
To support the realization of the National Agro-industrialization Agenda and Uganda’s Vision 2040, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), with the support of the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) and the APEX platform, officially launched the APRC early this year.
The APRC aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking, ensuring that Uganda’s agricultural policies are grounded in solid empirical data and research.
By employing analytical methods and using nationally representative data, the Centre will provide valuable insights into Uganda’s agri-food systems’ challenges and opportunities.
Its goal is to contribute to the creation of sustainable, impactful agricultural policies that enhance food security, stimulate economic growth, and improve the livelihoods of Uganda’s farming communities.
