Nebbi District authorities have suspended the sale of meat and other animal products following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which has spread across multiple sub-counties. The district veterinary department reports that the first cases were detected in Kucwiny sub-county, Lee Parish, in late November 2024, where 26 animals succumbed in the early stages of the outbreak.Dr. Abedkane Willian, the Nebbi District Veterinary Officer, confirmed that while FMD cases in Kucwiny have started to decline, the disease has now spread to neighboring sub-counties, including Alala and Atego.
He attributed the spread to increased livestock trade during the festive season.
“To control the economic and agricultural impact of this outbreak, we have imposed a temporary quarantine on the sale of meat and restricted mass slaughter of animals. Farmers and traders must adhere to these measures to prevent further losses,” Dr. Abedkane stated.
Authorities have also restricted the movement of animals from affected areas and urged farmers with healthy livestock to adjust their grazing patterns. Veterinary officials continue to monitor the spread, emphasizing that public health must take precedence over economic concerns.
According to the veterinary department, the disease has primarily affected cattle, with reports showing that 1,523 cattle across 10 farms have been impacted. Of these, 1,066 have been confirmed infected, and 163 calves have died since the outbreak was reported on November 27, 2024.
The quarantine has hit livestock farmers hard, especially those who rely on cattle sales for their livelihoods.
Alex Okumu, a farmer from Kucwiny sub-county, expressed frustration over the financial burden, stating that many parents cannot afford to send their children back to school due to the restrictions on animal trade.
“The situation is extremely difficult. Many families depend on livestock sales for school fees and daily survival,” Okumu lamented.
Jalum Geoffrey, Chairman of the Nebbi Butchery Association, has called for a reconsideration of the restrictions, arguing that butchers should be allowed to continue operations.
He explained that many butchers source their livestock from Lira District and transport them directly to abattoirs without interacting with local farms.Despite these concerns, district authorities remain firm on the quarantine, emphasizing the need to contain the outbreak before it devastates more farmers and spreads to other districts.
Meanwhile, the veterinary department is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries to secure vaccines and implement further containment measures.Residents and stakeholders are urged to cooperate with authorities as efforts continue to curb the spread of the disease.
