The Minister of state for animal industry, Bright Rwamirama, has urged farmers in Kazo District to embrace mass vaccination of livestock as the most effective way to eliminate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
The minister was expected to meet farmers in Kazo district on friday, august 31, 2026, but was unable to attend due to official government duties. His message was delivered by the Kazo district LCV Chairperson, Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, during a district stakeholders’ meeting held at the district headquarters.
In his message, Rwamirama said the government of uganda had established a modern cold chain facility in Kazo district with the capacity to store more than one million doses of livestock vaccines. He called on farmers to make full use of the facility by embracing the government’s mass vaccination programme.
“The government has invested in this facility to ensure vaccines are readily available. Farmers should cooperate with leaders and veterinary officers to protect their animals from Foot-and-Mouth Disease,” the minister said.

The meeting brought together district leaders, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), veterinary experts and lead farmers from various sub-counties.
Kazo district chief administrative officer, Hajji Badru Mayanja Majwala, welcomed participants and reaffirmed the district’s commitment to implementing the government’s livestock vaccination programme. He said the production department would continue promoting the government’s cost-sharing policy for FMD vaccination and encouraged farmers to fully participate.

“We shall do everything possible to encourage farmers to vaccinate their animals because disease control is critical to improving livestock production and household incomes,” Majwala said.
The LCV Chairperson of Kazo district, Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda thanked the offices of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Resident District Commissioner led by Capt. Yahaya Kakooza and the District Internal Security Officer, Moses Rwabwere, for working together to combat foot-and-mouth disease in the district.

Katugunda commended farmers who have responded positively to the government’s vaccination campaign but criticized those who continue to resist vaccinating their livestock despite repeated appeals.

He also highlighted other agricultural initiatives being implemented in the district, including climate-smart agriculture programmes aimed at improving productivity and resilience among farmers.

Dr. James Kakungulu, the Assistant Commissioner for Veterinary Regulation and Enforcement applauded Kazo district leaders for their commitment to controlling Foot-and-Mouth Disease. He noted that Kazo has an estimated cattle population of more than 270,000, making mass vaccination essential in preventing disease outbreaks.

He explained that under the government’s cost-sharing arrangement, the government contributes Shs120,000 towards vaccination costs while farmers contribute Shs8,000.

Another MAAIF official, Dr. Grace Asimwe, praised district authorities for closing livestock markets as one of the measures to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. She said the ministry also continues to monitor other livestock diseases, including Lumpy Skin Disease, rabies and anthrax, although government resources remain limited.

Meanwhile, Assistant Resident District Commissioner Obed Timbaganya thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for supporting Kazo district through the establishment of the cold chain facility. He described the investment as evidence of the government’s commitment to improving livestock production and urged leaders and farmers to embrace government programmes aimed at transforming agriculture.

District leaders concluded the meeting by calling on all livestock farmers to support the mass vaccination campaign, saying it remains the most effective strategy for eliminating foot-and-mouth disease and restoring livestock trade in Kazo district.

The writer is Tinyefuza Naboth, Communications Officer, Kazo district Local Government.