Nakasongola bans livestock movement, meat sales over foot-and-mouth disease

What the report says

Nakasongola District authorities have imposed a one-month ban on livestock movement and the sale of live animals and meat after Foot-and-Mouth Disease spread across several parts of the district. According to Nile Post, the outbreak was first reported last month and has since led to more than 50 animal deaths, with about 1,300 animals affected or testing positive.

Officials said the hardest-hit areas include Wabinyonyi, Kakooge, Nakitoma, Nabiswera and Lwampanga. The restrictions cover movement of cattle, goats and sheep both within the district and beyond its borders, and all livestock markets have been closed immediately. District veterinary officials also urged farmers to disinfect farms and required milk sellers to source only from vaccinated animals with valid certificates.

District leaders have encouraged farmers in Nakasongola and nearby areas, including Masindi and Kiryandongo, to vaccinate their herds to slow the spread. The Resident District Commissioner warned against fake vaccines and said the government-approved vaccine should be obtained through authorised channels, with payments made through bank or mobile money. The district said the Ministry of Agriculture has supplied 470,000 vaccine doses, and vaccination teams are administering 1,500 to 2,000 doses daily.

Authorities say the curbs are temporary but necessary to protect the local economy, which district officials say is already losing more than Shs30 million a month from livestock-related activity. The report adds that sub-county leaders have been told to set up task forces and improve disinfectant coverage at checkpoints and milk collection points.