Bernard Odikor, the Kagwara Town Council LC3 Chairperson says that his community has not benefitted from the facility since it was constructed. He says that the facility is a ghost project, which he notes could have benefitted individuals.
Dr. Isiah Odokorach, the Nwoya District Veterinary Officer, says that at least 50 animals presented with symptoms of the highly viral livestock disease during their assessments in three different kraals in Nyamokino Parish.
The residents pinned Apac Resident District Commissioner George Abudul and District Chairman Odongo Asante for taking a bribe from the herdsmen to allow them to graze animals on the community land against a government directive to evict them from the entire region.
Dr. Agnes Atim Apea, the Vice Chairperson of the Committee expressed concerns that while the year’s budget strategy developed by the Ministry of Finance hinged on food security as a key priority for Agro-Industrialization, no allocation was made for the purpose.
There are over 200 documented zoonotic diseases globally, but Uganda has since 2007 prioritized seven of the most prevalent ones to include; Anthrax, Influenza Viruses, Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers, Brucellosis, Trypanosomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness), Plague, and Rabies.
Residents claim that they have continued to experience torture from the UPDF soldiers guarding the ranchland especially when the stray animals destroy their crops and they complain.
Farmer Justine Achola has been trying to manage the pests by sprinkling her maize crops with ashes mixed with water however this has yielded no result. She appealed to the government to provide them with pesticides.
The irrigation project is expected to help in poverty alleviation through improving access to water for agricultural production, improving post-harvest handling, agro-processing and value addition, and market access among others.
Doctor Erias Kizito Nsubuga, Rakai District Veterinary Officer suspects that the resurgence of the FMD could be a result of the free trade and movement of cattle between Uganda and neighboring Tanzania.
In 2018, residents of Onekgwok, Teboke, Rwakicaja and Abongokere in Tarogali parish, Ibuje Sub County offered 556 acres of Community land to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to pave way for the implementation of the project.
Since December 2019 when Kenya authorities ceased at least 3000 bags of powdered milk and packets of Lato milk on claims that Uganda had smuggled the products into the country without paying taxes, the impasse has since seen the milk trade between the countries souring.
The farmers from Isingiro district on Wednesday told the Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze and his Deputy Bright Rwamirama that the disease is on the increase due to several farmers who graze their animals in Tanzania and traders who cross into the country for cheap animals.
Dan Mukago, the LCV Chairperson Kiruhura district says that their request to the police leadership to avail the district with police personnel attached to the Agricultural Police Unit has fallen on deaf ears.
Dr. Grace Asiimwe, the Kiruhura District Veterinary Officer, says that the holding ground they are using is small and lacks a fence thereby exposing other animals to infection. She explains that before presenting the impounded animals to court, they need to hold them in one place as they process the files.
Ruth Kashaka, the Kazo District Resident District Commissioner who also chairs the FMD Task force, says that they have drafted more measures that farmers will have to follow and if adhered too it will lead to the easing of the quarantine regulations.
Alex Asiimwe, the Chairperson Nyakayojo Grape Farmers Association, says the grapes are falling off while others are eaten by birds due to lack of market.
Although it primarily affects animals, the virus can be transmitted to humans through the handling of animal tissue during slaughtering or butchering, animal births, conducting veterinary procedures, or the disposal of carcasses. Human infections have also resulted from the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Foot an Mouth disease presents uncomfortable tingling blisters on the hands but also fever, sore throat, and blisters on the feet and in the mouth, including the tongue.
In a meeting held between the dairy farmers and district Foot and Mouth Task forces of both districts, it was agreed to lift the ban on the sale of milk for two weeks but under strict regulations.
