Ntungamo Livestock Farmers Struggle to Fund New FMD Vaccination Policy

Livestock keepers in Ntungamo District have expressed deep concern over the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) policy requiring them to co-fund Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccinations. Farmers argue that consecutive hardships, including prolonged market restrictions, devastating droughts, and severe tick-borne disease burdens, have crippled their incomes and left them unable to meet the required costs.

Under the ministry’s nationwide initiative, the government covers 40 percent of the project costs, while farmers are expected to shoulder the remaining 60 percent. This translates to farmers paying Shs8,000 for every cow and Shs4,000 for each goat, sheep, or pig per dose. With animals requiring vaccination twice a year over a four-year period, annual costs amount to at least Shs16,000 per head of cattle.

Local farmers note that while they understand the necessity of disease control, the mandatory financial obligation is overwhelming. Tumusiime Fred, a local farmer, explained that years of quarantine have disrupted livestock trade, making it nearly impossible to raise the required funds. Other farmers warned that the heavy financial burden, compounded by rising farm operational costs and unaddressed tick problems, might force many out of the livestock business altogether.

During a consultative meeting, Dr. James Kakungulu, the Commissioner for Animal Health and Production at MAAIF, defended the strategy. He highlighted that FMD has previously affected 46 districts, severely threatening regional trade and national meat and milk supplies. Dr. Kakungulu emphasized that the ministry intends to enforce strict legal measures against individuals who fail to vaccinate, warning that unvaccinated animals and their products will be barred from markets and movement.

Local leaders, including Ntungamo councillors and sub-county officials, have urged the ministry to heavily subsidize the vaccines further to ease the pressure on struggling farmers. Data from the district production office indicates that Ntungamo remains highly vulnerable to FMD, with several sub-counties still operating under strict quarantine restrictions as authorities target tens of thousands of cattle for immunization.

For more details on this story, read the original report on Daily Monitor.