Ntungamo High Court: Foot-and-Mouth Disease Quarantine Lifted in Most Areas

• Ntungamo District has lifted the Foot-and-Mouth Disease quarantine in most areas after eight months of containment measures.
• Restrictions remain in place for Ngoma and Rweikiriniro sub-counties and Rubaare Town Council due to ongoing disease presence.
• Vaccination and monitoring will continue across Ntungamo District, with farmers required to follow established controls to avoid penalties.
• Each lower local government must establish designated livestock loading points before movement resumes.
• Enforcement agencies will monitor compliance and penalize those who violate the rules.

"We had an infection which had occurred to us as late as December last year. We were able to manage the spread of the disease and also contain it to its lowest remaining nine farms," Dr. Yake Basulila said.

After eight months of containment measures, the Foot-and-Mouth Disease quarantine has been lifted in most parts of Ntungamo District. This decision allows for the resumption of livestock slaughter, transportation, and movement of animal products from disease-free areas. However, restrictions remain in place for Ngoma and Rweikiriniro sub-counties and Rubaare Town Council, where the disease is still present on nine farms.

The lifting of the quarantine is a significant relief for livestock farmers, traders, butchers, and consumers who have been affected by the prolonged restrictions. The district's veterinary officer, Dr. Yake Basulila, attributed the success in containing the outbreak to effective management and reduction of affected farms.

While the quarantine has been lifted in most areas, authorities have emphasized that vaccination and monitoring will continue across Ntungamo District. This means that livestock farmers are still required to follow established controls to avoid penalties. The district's resident commissioner, Miriam Kagaiga, urged farmers to continue vaccinating their animals until the disease is completely eliminated from the district.

The prolonged quarantine had a significant impact on livestock-related businesses and household access to animal products. Farmers and traders reported losses due to restrictions on markets and animal movement. However, with the lifting of the quarantine, these individuals can now resume their activities while still adhering to the necessary controls.

To ensure compliance with the guidelines, each lower local government must establish and gazette designated livestock loading points before movement resumes. Enforcement agencies will monitor compliance and penalize those who violate the rules. The district's FMD task force chairperson, Miriam Kagaiga, emphasized the importance of cooperation from farmers to eliminate the disease completely.

The lifting of the quarantine is a crucial step towards reviving the livestock industry in Ntungamo District. However, it is essential that all stakeholders continue to work together to ensure that the necessary controls are implemented and enforced.

Lawyers advising clients on animal product trade and transportation in Uganda should note that while the quarantine has been lifted, vaccination and monitoring will continue across Ntungamo District, and compliance with established controls is crucial to avoid penalties.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post