national 15 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Invests Over $101 Million in Cost-Recovery FMD Vaccination Program
The Ugandan government has launched a national Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination program, investing over $101 million to procure 50.6 million vaccine doses. This initiative aims to protect approximately 44.5 million animals nationwide through a cost-recovery model, where farmers contribute to the vaccine cost. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-rolls-out-cost-recovery-fmd-vaccination-for-over-44-5m-animals-5460710
The Ugandan government is implementing a robust national program to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a significant threat to cloven-hoofed animals. This initiative involves a substantial investment exceeding $101 million (approximately Shs379 billion) for the procurement of 50.6 million doses of high-potency quadrivalent FMD vaccines.
The program is designed to scale up vaccination coverage, enhance farmer compliance, and strengthen disease surveillance across the country. The vaccines target the major circulating strains of FMD, including O, A, SAT1, and SAT2, providing protection for an estimated 44.5 million susceptible animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs.
Beyond vaccine procurement, the government continues to fund essential public animal health functions. These include the transportation of vaccines, cold chain management, laboratory testing, disease surveillance, vaccination operations, and the enforcement of animal movement controls. Under the new cost-recovery arrangement, farmers will progressively contribute towards the cost of the vaccine itself.
The veterinary cold chain infrastructure has been expanded to support mass vaccination efforts, with 53 districts now equipped with functional cold storage facilities, and another 40 set to be covered in the upcoming financial year. These solar-powered facilities ensure the safe storage and timely distribution of vaccines.
Furthermore, Uganda is introducing a secure national FMD vaccination certification system. This system will provide verifiable certificates for each vaccinated herd, acting as an official gate pass for the movement of animals and animal products for trade, breeding, and other commercial purposes. Movement of unvaccinated susceptible animals and related products will be restricted.
Under the cost-recovery model, farmers will pay UGX 8,000 per dose for cattle and pigs, and UGX 4,000 per dose for goats and sheep, administered in biannual vaccination cycles. This program is expected to improve market access, enhance farmer incomes, contribute to safer food systems, and boost Uganda’s export potential in the livestock sector.