Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Elizabeth Kamurungi
Published on 2024-02-02 06:00:18
The Ministry of Agriculture is facing a severe outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, with over 30 districts affected. In response, Minister Frank Tumwebaze is seeking a supplementary budget of Shs76 billion ($20 million) to purchase 10 million doses of vaccines. This request is part of a broader plan to combat the outbreak and equip district veterinary officials with necessary resources. The urgency of the situation has led to the Minister’s scheduled meeting with officials at the Ministry of Finance to discuss the funding ahead of a Cabinet meeting next week.
The severity of the outbreak has prompted the Ministry to institute a ban on the movement of animals and the closure of cattle markets and sale of animal products in affected districts. In addition, 29 neighbouring districts are under strict surveillance due to the high risk of a spread. The rapid transmission of Foot and Mouth Disease has been attributed to collusion between local political leaders, enforcement personnel, and veterinary officers in bypassing the measures put in place to contain the outbreak.
The immediate impact on farmers and households in affected areas has been substantial, prompting Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to demand an explanation of the duration of the current quarantine and measures in place to mitigate the outbreak’s effects. Despite the challenges, the Ministry has managed to procure and distribute 2.5 million doses of vaccines to affected districts and is expecting an additional 2.3 million doses in the coming months.
However, the vaccination effort is hindered by the lack of funding and the significant shortfall in the required budget. The Ministry estimated a need for $176 million (Shs671 billion) to vaccinate the total animal herd twice a year, with only 1.1% of this budget currently available. As a result, the Ministry is unable to ensure timely and comprehensive inoculation, leading to repeated outbreaks.
To compound the issue, the procurement of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines is further complicated by the limitations in the supply chain and the need for specific vaccines tailored to different strains of the virus. These challenges have prompted discussions within the government regarding potential cost-sharing initiatives between farmers and the government, as well as the exploration of alternative procurement channels through farmer cooperatives.
Legislators from affected areas have echoed the sentiment of urgency, expressing frustration with the lack of decisive action and planning in eradicating the disease. They have called for the opening up of vaccine importation to farmer cooperatives and criticized the limitations in the government’s ability to procure and distribute vaccines in a timely manner.
The pressing need for a supplementary budget and strategic interventions to combat the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak remains a top priority for the Ministry of Agriculture and the government. The severity of the outbreak and its far-reaching impact on communities necessitate immediate action and sustained support to mitigate its effects and prevent further spread.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
