The Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Dr. Bright K. Rwamirama has encouraged livestock farmers to practice breeding of cattle for business. The Minister said this while launching a vaccination program for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Nakaseke district on 8th July 2020, to be done by Uganda Meat Producers Cooperative Union Ltd (UMPCU). Hon. Dr. Rwamirama also advised farmers to ensure they look after their cattle well and control animal diseases.
UMPCU recently received 10,000 doses from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, a top-up of 5,000 doses received in April 2020. One of UMPCU’s focus areas is to enhance livestock production and productivity, through disease control. The Union’s member farmers will be the beneficiaries of these vaccines in a bid to contain the spread of foot and mouth disease.
At the same function, the area member of Parliament, Hon. Sarah Najjuma said Nakaseke district had been in quarantine for two and a half years, negatively affecting the farmers’ household incomes.
In his remarks, the LCV Chairman for Nakaseke district Mr. Ignatius Koomu Kiwanuka appreciated the Minister’s visit and UMPCU’s animal diagnostics laboratory services in the district.
The Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Nayebare Fred reiterated the need for more information to trickle down to the livestock farmers so that they can embrace new ventures like pasture production for their animals. He advised the community to maintain the standard operating procedures during the current COVID-19 health crisis. Mr. Nayebare decried the rampant cattle thefts and urged farmers to be more vigilant in adhering to security measures in the district.
The host, Mr. Anania Taremwa thanked UMPCU for bringing animal diagnostics laboratory services to the district, for easier and faster disease diagnosis. He highlighted the recurrent challenges of tickborne diseases and the irregular prices of cattle and animal products especially milk. Mr. Taremwa is the Chairperson of Wakyato Livestock Cooperative Society Ltd, one of the 34 member cooperatives of UMPCU on whose farm the function was held in Wakyato sub-county, Nakaseke district.
UMPCU’s member farmers located in the districts of Bukomansimbi, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Kyankwanzi, Isingiro, Gomba, Gulu, Isingiro, Luwero, Kiruhura, Mubende, Nakaseke, Masaka, Kiboga, Mbarara, Lwengo, Ssembabule, Gomba, Masindi, Nakasongola, Ngoma, Ntungamo will be among the beneficiaries of this FMD vaccination campaign. 200 heads of cattle were vaccinated against FMD on that day.