Uganda receives 3 million doses of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines from Egypt

This marks the first time such a large number of doses has been delivered at once.

The foot and mouth disease vaccines were received by Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, at Entebbe International Airport.

He was joined by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), Frank Tumwebaze.

These vaccines, acquired at subsidized costs, were handed over by the Deputy Minister for Agriculture from Egypt, with the Egyptian Defense Attaché to Uganda also present.

The Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, MAAIF Permanent Secretary, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama and other senior ministry officials were present as Gen. Kainerugaba, who is also the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), received the consignment.

To control the spread, the Ministry of Agriculture has banned the movement of livestock and livestock products in and out of these districts. Pulse Live Uganda

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture imposed a quarantine on 32 districts due to a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), causing concern in the cattle corridor, where millions depend on milk and beef production for their livelihood.

The affected districts include Luwero, Gomba, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, and Sembabule, among others.

To control the spread, the Ministry of Agriculture has banned the movement of livestock and livestock products in and out of these districts.

Uganda's total susceptible animal herd, needing the foot and mouth disease vaccine, is estimated at 44 million.

This requires an annual stock of 88 million doses for bi-annual vaccination, costing $2 per dose, amounting to $176 million per year.

The arrival of the foot and mouth disease vaccines follows the CDF's quick engagement with its contacts in Egypt, accomplished within just three months.

This content was created with the help of an AI model and verified by the writer