By Richard Onapatum
Soroti – The Ugandan government has officially launched a foot and mouth disease vaccination campaign in Soroti City. The event took place in Opuyo ward, Omorio cell, East Division, and brought together key stakeholders, including Enyalu Julius, Assistant RCC Soroti City; the Deputy Mayor of Soroti City; works and production officials; a veterinary extension worker; and the Town Clerk.
During the launch, Enyalu Julius commended the government for its proactive efforts to support farmers by preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease, a highly contagious viral illness that poses a serious threat to livestock. He urged farmers to participate actively in the vaccination campaign, assuring them that the government is fully committed to providing all necessary support. Julius also expressed his gratitude to His Excellency for financing this crucial program and praised the dedication of veterinary officials who have been at the forefront of this initiative.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has taken a significant step by procuring over 10 million doses of the foot and mouth disease vaccine. This large-scale effort is expected to have a widespread impact, helping farmers across the country protect their livestock and prevent the devastating economic losses associated with the disease.
Foot and mouth disease remains one of the most infectious livestock diseases globally, severely impacting animal trade and national economies, especially in developing regions. The Ugandan government’s commitment to combating this disease through a comprehensive vaccination campaign is a significant step forward in safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and promoting agricultural development.
This campaign represents not just a commitment to livestock health, but also to the broader goals of development and poverty reduction, making it a commendable effort by the Ugandan government.