Adjumani Veterinary Lab Gets Shs55m Boost to Combat Livestock Diseases

Adjumani District is on the cusp of a significant upgrade in its livestock health infrastructure with the impending arrival of new veterinary laboratory equipment. Valued at around Shs54.7 million (approximately US$15,000), these modern diagnostic tools are being provided under the Monitoring of Ticks and Tick Acaricide Resistance (MoTAR) Project.

The initiative, spearheaded by Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) in partnership with GALVmed, aims to bolster Uganda’s capacity to monitor and combat tick-borne diseases and acaricide resistance.

The Adjumani District Veterinary Laboratory has already undergone refurbishment to meet the required technical standards, with its official unveiling anticipated in August 2026. This upgrade is particularly crucial given that the district has operated without adequate veterinary laboratory equipment for nearly 25 years, according to the District Veterinary Officer, Dr. David Okello Ngomokwee.

Dr. Patrick Vudriko, the Principal Investigator for the MoTAR Project, highlighted that the inclusion of Adjumani in the West Nile region follows national guidance to expand the country’s veterinary laboratory network. The project will not only equip the laboratory but also provide specialized training for technicians, enhancing their skills in surveillance, diagnosis, and management of tick-borne illnesses.

This development is expected to bring substantial benefits to the district, which boasts over 300,000 cattle and 600,000 goats. Farmers like Jennifer Aparo have expressed optimism, stating that the improved diagnostic capabilities will increase their confidence in investing in higher-breed livestock. Local leaders, including John Anyanzo Ambayo, the District LCV Chairperson, see the upgraded lab as a milestone that will encourage commercial livestock farming, boost household incomes, and align with national development goals.

The enhanced veterinary services are projected to improve disease surveillance, strengthen extension services, and provide timely diagnoses, ultimately leading to increased livestock productivity and better livelihoods for farmers in Adjumani.

Source: Nile Post