Uganda receives another batch of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines from Egypt

In a bid to combat the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, Uganda has received a second consignment of 3 million doses from Egypt.

This latest batch arrives just three months after the first shipment of three million doses in May.

The vaccines were received by the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, at Entebbe International Airport.

He was accompanied by Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, MAAIF Permanent Secretary, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama, and other senior officials.

The FMD outbreak has led to a quarantine in 32 districts across Uganda, causing significant distress in the cattle corridor.

The affected districts include Luwero, Gomba, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, and Sembabule, among others.

To curb the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Agriculture has banned the movement of livestock and livestock products into, out of, or through these districts.

Uganda’s total susceptible animal herd requires 44 million doses of FMD vaccine annually, necessitating a bi-annual vaccination program costing $176 million per year.

The recent vaccine shipments from Egypt will play a crucial role in supporting this effort.

The swift delivery of the vaccines is a result of the CDF’s engagement with Egyptian authorities, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s efforts to combat FMD.