The State Minister for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama, has called on livestock farmers in Lyantonde District to embrace compulsory vaccination of their animals and take greater responsibility in controlling the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which has continued to threaten the district’s livestock sector.
Rwamirama made the call on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during a visit to Lyantonde District Local Government, where he met farmers, district leaders and other stakeholders to discuss the increasing cases of animal diseases and measures to contain their spread.
The minister urged farmers to fully participate in livestock vaccination programmes and be prepared to meet the costs of the exercise, emphasising that vaccination is essential in protecting animals, safeguarding household incomes and sustaining the livestock industry.
He also warned against illegal slaughter and the sale of diseased animals, noting that strict adherence to quarantine measures is necessary to prevent further transmission of FMD.
Rwamirama challenged the livestock-producing districts of Kazo, Kiruhura and Lyantonde to set the pace in animal vaccination, saying they should become examples for other parts of the country.
Beyond disease control, the minister urged farmers to intensify agricultural production and embrace modern farming practices to improve household incomes and strengthen food security.
He challenged farmers to work ten times harder than they currently do, arguing that adopting model farming practices would enable households to increase productivity and improve their livelihoods.
Lyantonde District Veterinary Officer, Dr Ronald Bameka, said the minister’s visit was aimed at supporting the district’s mass compulsory livestock vaccination campaign.
Bameka revealed that Lyantonde had suffered significant losses from Anthrax, with approximately eight human deaths and 125 cattle deaths reported in the district.
He urged local leaders to lead by example by vaccinating all their animals, expressing concern that some farmers deliberately hide part of their herds while presenting only a few animals for vaccination.
Bameka also appreciated the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for providing free vaccines to the district to support vaccination against Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in goats.
He warned that failure to vaccinate livestock could undermine farmers’ access to lucrative markets, particularly outside Uganda.
According to the district veterinary officer, vaccination is mandatory, and farmers who fail to comply will not be permitted to transport their animals to livestock markets or deliver milk to milk collection centres.
Meanwhile, Medius Ahayendire, a councillor representing Kinuka Sub-county, appealed to the ministry to address the rising cost of veterinary drugs, saying many farmers were willing to vaccinate their animals but were discouraged by the high expenses.
He called for interventions that would make animal health services and vaccination more affordable and accessible to livestock farmers.
