Health 16 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Nakasongola Imposes Livestock Movement Ban After FMD Claims 55 Cows
Nakasongola District has implemented an indefinite ban on all livestock movement following a confirmed outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that has resulted in the deaths of 55 cows and affected an additional 1,300 animals across several sub-counties. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nakasongola-bans-livestock-movement-as-fmd-kills-55-cows-5596806
Authorities in Nakasongola District have declared a comprehensive ban on all livestock movement, effective immediately. This drastic measure comes after the confirmation of a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak that has tragically led to the deaths of 55 cows and impacted 1,300 other animals in the affected areas.
The restriction, initially imposed on Wibinyonyi Sub-county on September 2, has now been expanded to cover the entire district. The District Security Committee and Veterinary Department, through Resident District Commissioner Festus Bandeeba, announced the indefinite ban on Tuesday. The disease has been identified in Wabinyonyi, Kakooge, Nakitoma, Nabiswera, and Lwampanga sub-counties.
Mr. Bandeeba stressed that the ban is total and includes preventing any livestock trucks from loading or unloading, especially on major transit routes, as Nakasongola serves as a critical corridor for livestock passing through from other districts. He cautioned both farmers and traders against disregarding the quarantine guidelines.
The timing of the outbreak poses a significant challenge, as Nakasongola LC5 Chairperson Rogers Kulaba Ssemanda noted that many families rely on selling livestock to fund their children’s school fees. He acknowledged the inconvenience but stated that the quarantine is a necessary, albeit difficult, step to contain the disease.
This outbreak is a recurring issue for Nakasongola, a district known to be prone to FMD. A previous year-long quarantine was only lifted in January 2025. Farmers like Stephen Misanga Kato from Nabiswera Sub-county are concerned that while they are participating in vaccination campaigns, the failure to control livestock in transit through the district undermines their efforts.
Previous efforts to combat FMD nationally have faced funding challenges, with the Ministry of Agriculture requesting substantial funds for widespread vaccination campaigns, and cabinet approving a smaller allocation for high-risk areas. The current quarantine aims to prevent further spread of the devastating disease.