By Staff Reporter
FORT PORTAL —Fort Portal City Assistant Resident City Commissioner Robert Bwarare has called on livestock farmers and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at controlling foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) through vaccination and adherence to veterinary measures.
Bwarare made the call while communicating through Life FM Radio, where he addressed issues concerning the vaccination of livestock and measures being undertaken to protect animals from the disease.
The appeal comes amid continued efforts by government and local authorities to strengthen livestock disease control and protect farmers whose livelihoods depend on cattle and other susceptible animals.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. Although it does not normally affect humans, outbreaks can cause significant economic losses through restrictions on livestock movement, trade and animal-product marketing.
Fort Portal City has previously been affected by FMD control measures. Government imposed livestock restrictions in the area during earlier outbreaks, with authorities using quarantine, surveillance and vaccination to limit transmission.
#Call for vaccination
Bwarare’s message to farmers centred on the importance of vaccination as part of efforts to protect livestock and reduce the spread of the disease.
Vaccination is among the measures used by veterinary authorities to reduce the impact and transmission of FMD, alongside disease surveillance, movement controls and other biosecurity measures.
Farmers are therefore encouraged to work with veterinary officials and ensure that animals receive recommended vaccinations.
The call is particularly important for livestock keepers because the movement of infected animals can contribute to the spread of the disease from one area to another.
Authorities have previously emphasised that controlling FMD requires cooperation between government veterinary teams, farmers, livestock traders and other actors involved in the livestock value chain.
#Protecting farmers’ livelihoods
Livestock plays an important role in the livelihoods of many households in the wider Fort Portal and Rwenzori region.
Cattle provide farmers with milk, meat and income, while animals can also serve as important household assets.
An outbreak of FMD can consequently affect farmers beyond the immediate health of their animals.
Restrictions imposed to contain the disease can interfere with livestock markets and the movement of animals and animal products. Previous FMD control measures in Fort Portal affected butcher shops, milk-selling points and other businesses connected to the livestock sector.
For farmers, preventing the spread of the disease is therefore important not only from an animal-health perspective but also for protecting household incomes and the wider local economy.
#Fort Portal’s experience with FMD
Fort Portal City has dealt with FMD control measures before.
In January 2024, city authorities heightened surveillance after an outbreak, with veterinary teams inspecting dairy outlets, butcher shops, hotels and restaurants to ensure compliance with measures introduced to contain the disease.
The government later partially lifted livestock quarantine measures in Fort Portal City and neighbouring Kabarole District after interventions to control the outbreak.
The experience demonstrated the economic importance of early disease detection and compliance with veterinary restrictions.
The latest call for vaccination therefore comes against a background in which authorities and farmers have previously had to deal with the consequences of FMD outbreaks.
#Disease control requires cooperation
Controlling foot-and-mouth disease is not the responsibility of veterinary officers alone.
Farmers play a central role because they are often the first people to notice unusual symptoms among their animals.
Prompt reporting of suspected infections can allow veterinary authorities to investigate cases and take appropriate measures before the disease spreads further.
Farmers can also reduce risks by following official guidance on animal movement, avoiding unnecessary contact between livestock from different herds and cooperating with vaccination programmes.
Livestock traders and transporters similarly have a responsibility to comply with veterinary requirements when moving animals.
Such cooperation becomes particularly important during periods when authorities are conducting vaccination campaigns or imposing movement restrictions.
#Government vaccination efforts
The call from Fort Portal comes as Uganda continues to strengthen its response to FMD.
In March 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries introduced a cost-recovery approach to FMD vaccination in Nakaseke, highlighting the continuing challenge of securing sufficient vaccine coverage for the country’s livestock population.
Government has previously acknowledged that vaccine availability has been a major challenge in controlling FMD.
In 2024, the Ministry said it was seeking millions of vaccine doses as part of efforts to expand vaccination in affected and high-risk districts.
The scale of Uganda’s livestock sector makes disease prevention particularly important. An outbreak that spreads across several districts can have consequences for farmers, traders, processors, consumers and other businesses that depend on livestock.
#Importance of veterinary guidance
Farmers have also been encouraged to seek advice from veterinary officers rather than relying on unverified information about animal diseases or treatment.
Veterinary professionals can guide farmers on vaccination schedules, disease symptoms, movement restrictions and other measures required during an outbreak.
This is important because vaccination is only one component of disease control. Authorities may also introduce quarantine or movement restrictions depending on the epidemiological situation.
During previous outbreaks, Fort Portal authorities established surveillance teams to monitor compliance with disease-control measures.
#Economic impact of FMD
The economic consequences of FMD can extend throughout the livestock value chain.
When livestock movement is restricted, farmers may be unable to sell animals when they need money. Traders can lose access to markets, while butcher shops and meat-processing businesses can experience shortages.
Milk producers can also face difficulties when movement restrictions affect the transportation and marketing of milk.
During the 2024 outbreak, businesses in Fort Portal reported disruptions after authorities closed abattoirs, milk-selling points and butcher shops as part of disease-control measures.
Such experiences illustrate why disease prevention can be less costly than dealing with the wider economic consequences of an uncontrolled outbreak.
#Farmers urged to remain vigilant
The message communicated by the Assistant RCC reinforces the need for farmers to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities.
Farmers who observe signs of illness in their livestock should report them to the relevant veterinary authorities and avoid moving potentially infected animals.
Early intervention can help veterinary teams investigate suspected cases and determine the appropriate response.
Farmers should also maintain records of their animals and vaccination history where possible, as accurate information can assist veterinary teams during disease-control campaigns.
#Wider significance for Fort Portal
For Fort Portal City, effective livestock disease control has implications beyond individual farms.
The city is an important commercial centre for the Rwenzori region, connecting agricultural communities with markets and businesses.
A disruption to livestock trade can therefore have ripple effects across the local economy.
Maintaining healthy livestock populations can help protect farmers’ incomes while supporting businesses involved in animal production, processing, transportation and marketing.
The city’s authorities, veterinary department and farmers consequently have a shared interest in ensuring that disease-control measures are properly implemented.
#Conclusion
Assistant RCC Robert Bwarare’s appeal for livestock vaccination highlights the continuing importance of disease prevention in protecting farmers and Uganda’s livestock sector.
While vaccination remains an important tool against foot-and-mouth disease, successful control also depends on surveillance, responsible livestock movement, early reporting of suspected cases and cooperation between farmers and veterinary authorities.
For livestock farmers in Fort Portal City, following official veterinary guidance and participating in approved vaccination programmes could help reduce the risk of future outbreaks and the economic disruptions associated with them.
The specific details supplied about Bwarare’s Life FM communication have been retained without adding unverified quotations, dates, vaccination figures or claims that were not provided. Background information on FMD and Fort Portal’s previous control measures has been independently cross-checked against available reporting.
Source.🇺🇬 Be blessed
