Kazo district local government has intensified efforts to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) through a district-wide mass vaccination campaign and the implementation of strict disease control measures aimed at protecting livestock and safeguarding farmers' livelihoods.

The district is conducting the vaccination exercise in line with the government's new cost-recovery policy for FMD vaccination. Within the past three weeks, veterinary teams have vaccinated more than 20050 cattle, 5000 goats, 2063 sheep and 115 pigs across the district.

The district leadership has urged all livestock farmers to remain vigilant, report any suspected cases of FMD immediately to veterinary authorities and fully comply with all disease control measures currently in force.

The renewed campaign follows a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease reported at a farm in Orwigi Village, Burunga Sub-county, where 10 out of 30 cattle exhibited symptoms consistent with the disease. Agricultural extension officers, working jointly with veterinary doctors from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), collected samples from the affected animals and submitted them to the National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre (NADDEC) for laboratory analysis and confirmation.

According to preliminary assessments, the situation remains under control, with no evidence that the disease has spread beyond the affected farm.

The District Veterinary Officer, Nabimanya Alfred, said Kazo district continues to make significant progress in controlling and preventing the spread of FMD. He noted that veterinary teams are conducting ring vaccination in the high-risk areas of Kyenshama and Kanyaburezi to contain any potential spread of the disease.

The district production officer, Zephrine Tumwesigye, said the district has strengthened preventive measures by encouraging farmers to vaccinate all livestock, establishing animal movement checkpoints along district borders and sensitizing communities on the importance of adhering to government guidelines on disease control.

"We encourage all livestock farmers to vaccinate their animals and strictly follow the recommended disease prevention measures. This is the most effective way of protecting livestock and preventing the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease," he said.

Secretary for Production, Rubeinika Ham, appealed to all livestock farmers to ensure that every eligible animal is vaccinated, saying the district aims to have all livestock vaccinated by August.

He emphasized that vaccination is a government policy intended to protect livestock production and improve farmers' incomes through better animal health.

During a recent senior management meeting, the chief administrative officer of Kazo district, Hajji Badru Mayanja Majwala, directed the production department to intensify community mobilization and accelerate the mass vaccination campaign. The department presented an update on the vaccination exercise and outlined measures being implemented to regulate animal movement from neighbouring districts.

Speaking during a radio talk show on Monday, 6 July 2026, the LC V Chairperson of Kazo district, Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, called upon all livestock farmers to cooperate with the district task force by observing all guidelines issued to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

He announced that livestock markets across the district have been temporarily closed for more two weeks as part of the containment measures.

Rev. Katugunda further explained that farm loading of animals will only be permitted with authorization. Any movement permit must be supported by clearance letters from the LC I Chairperson, security authorities, and veterinary officers at the relevant levels to minimize the risk of transmitting FMD.

Kazo district local government remains committed to protecting livestock, supporting farmers and ensuring that the district remains free from the widespread transmission of foot-and-mouth disease through coordinated surveillance, vaccination and strict enforcement of animal movement regulations.

The writer is Tinyefuza Naboth, Communications Officer, Kazo district local government.