Livestock Farmers to Pay UGX 8,000 for Cattle and Pigs, UGX 4,000 for Goats and Sheep Under New FMD Rules

Rukungiri: Livestock farmers across the country will be required to pay a compulsory fee of either UGX 8,000 or UGX 4,000 per animal for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination under new policy guidelines for the implementation of the FMD Vaccine Cost Recovery Scheme.

Speaking to our reporter on June 8, the Rukungiri District Veterinary Officer, Dr. Johnson Ninsiima, said the new policy was approved by the Cabinet to provide a standard framework for sustainable financing of FMD vaccination and disease control activities. He said the policy is intended to improve service delivery, ensure transparency during vaccination campaigns, strengthen disease control efforts, and promote trade in livestock and livestock products.

According to the policy document seen by our reporter and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mary Grace Orikiriza Aacha, all livestock farmers must register with their Sub-county or District Veterinary Officer.

Registered farmers will be included in a national FMD vaccination database that will track vaccine payments, vaccine administration, and livestock vaccination records.

Under the new guidelines, farmers will make payments directly through PostBank Uganda and Housing Finance Bank.

Farmers will pay UGX 8,000 for each cow and pig vaccinated, while UGX 4,000 will be charged for each goat and sheep during every vaccination cycle. The policy makes FMD vaccination compulsory for all livestock farmers.

The policy further states that farmers who fail to vaccinate their animals will face restrictions, including denial of access to livestock markets and livestock product markets. Movement of unvaccinated animals will also be restricted, and only vaccinated animals will be allowed to move from one place to another across the country.

CUE IN…DR. NINSIIMA RR/ENG