The Ugandan government has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting over 44.5 million livestock to combat the devastating impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on the country’s agriculture and economy.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), aims to immunize cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs against the highly contagious viral disease that has plagued the cattle corridor and surrounding regions.
At a launch event held at the Uganda Media Center on Tuesday, 4th November, 2025, the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Col. (Rtd) Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama, confirmed that the vaccination rollout would begin immediately, prioritizing 14.8 million cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals most at risk.
He added that farmers will be required to pay UGX 8,000 per dose for cattle and UGX 4,000 for sheep, goats, and pigs.
“This campaign represents a decisive step in protecting Uganda’s vital livestock sector, which supports millions of livelihoods and contributes significantly to our economy,’’ Col (Rtd) Rwamirama stated.
“FMD has caused immense suffering, lost productivity, restricted trade, and severe economic hardship for pastoralists,” he added.
The Minister of State for Animal Industry emphasized that the campaign goes beyond vaccinations, aiming to strengthen food security, boost exports, and build resilience against future outbreaks in partnership with Housing Finance Bank and Pearl Bank, as Uganda positions itself for beef and dairy exports to wider regional and international markets.
Col (Rtd) Rwamirama further clarified that the government will cover the salaries of all workers deployed nationwide for the campaign.
He also warned that farmers who refuse to vaccinate their livestock risk restrictions and exclusion from livestock markets.
The nationwide effort comes amid ongoing FMD outbreaks that first increased in November 2023, affecting at least 36 districts in Uganda’s cattle corridor.
The disease, which causes painful blisters, lameness, and reduced milk production, has resulted in market closures, export bans from neighboring countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, and losses estimated in billions of shillings.
Recent regional scientific advancements, including a new quadrivalent vaccine tailored to East African FMD strains developed under the AgResults Vaccine Challenge Project, have raised hopes for effective disease control.
Vaccines will be procured through a government-established revolving fund, with initial doses immediately covering high-risk areas such as Karamoja and major cattle transit routes.
While the state subsidizes procurement, farmers contribute modestly to vaccination costs, a sustainability model approved by Cabinet earlier this year.
Past control measures, including ring vaccinations and movement restrictions since 2001, have yielded mixed results, but experts agree that widespread immunization is key to eradicating FMD, similar to the successful elimination of rinderpest decades ago.
Rwamirama concluded by urging farmers to register, pay, and present their animals on schedule, stressing that collective action from farmers, government and partners is essential to safeguard livelihoods, protect national food security, and reopen markets for Uganda’s livestock.
