By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
Minister-Bright-Rwamirama-in-a-group-photo-with-District-Veterinary-officers-
The State Minister for Animal Industry has strongly warned District Veterinary Officers (DVOS) against charging money from cattle farmers to vaccinate their animals against foot and mouth disease.
Rtd Col. Bright Rwamirama sounded the warning on Tuesday, 28th May, 2024 saying all the costs of administering vaccines are met by government.
The angry Minister made the comments while handing over 270 refrigerators and 3million doses of foot and mouth disease vaccines to District Veterinary officers from 27 hotspot districts.
The districts include Serere, Iganga, Namisindwa, Mityana, Budaka, Wakiso and Butambala among others.
The minister said that 3million doses compliments on first consignment of 900 doses and that now the total number of beneficiary districts stand at 50 districts.
While addressing District veterinary officers at the National Animal Disease Diagnostic Center (NADC) in Entebbe, Minister Bright Rwamirama, said it has come to his attention that most District veterinary officers have made it a habit that whenever they receive animal vaccines from government they commercialize them and charge cattle farmers Shs1000 per vaccinated cow yet they are supposed to be free of charge.
“Let me make it clear to you, the cost of administering vaccines is borne by government. So, stop charging cattle farmers Shs1000 per cow and stand warned, otherwise you are going to get serious problems. Don’t make the vaccination exercise difficult or else you risk losing your jobs and if you do so, you are preparing grounds to make your life very hard. We have availed money for you to administer the vaccines, “Minister Rwamirama noted.
“If you think it’s time to make money then you are in danger. I don’t want to hear that a veterinary officer sold a freezer meant to keep vaccines safe to a bar operator. What is important is to administer the available vaccines such that cattle farmers can enjoy them for their own benefit,’ he added.
Minister Rwamirama revealed that government intends to deliver 10million doses of foot and mouth disease to all districts across the country so as to stop the outbreak of the disease and that every moving animal shall be vaccinated.
“The vaccines are in preparation for policy shift and the new policy shift will eradicate the current outbreak. We shall vaccinate cattle twice in a year and by doing so, we shall make foot and mouth disease history in the country. We shall facilitate the veterinary doctors and each veterinary officer should have a vehicle to facilitate his movement to the intended beneficiaries.
Government will make a follow-up on the supplied vaccines and each veterinary officer is supposed to make a quarterly report because they are the basis for planning in the ministry. The distribution of vaccines is based on 60% prevalence rate.
The Director Animal resources at the National Animal Disease Diagnostic Center (NADC), Dr. James Kakungulu, revealed that last year in October, 40 districts were reported to have foot and mouth disease and as a result were quarantined.
“The issue of Foot and mouth disease lasts for six months and the disease is escalated by livestock movements especially during festive seasons. We have been able to procure enough vaccines and our goal is 80% immunity and upon achieving this percentage, we shall be able to control the outbreak, “Hon. Rwamirama expressed optimism.
“We have advised the district veterinary officers to do priority setting by considering the most affected sub-counties per district. The cold chain equipment which has been a big issue is now solved and the vaccines will be viable and safe.
The head of the National Animal Disease Diagnostic Center (NADC), Dr. Peter Wanyama, noted that foot and mouth disease has the potential to increase poverty levels because of quarantine that affects movement of animals. He however implored the veterinary officers to utilize the vaccines and refrigerators properly.
“Utilize the lab services to confirm animal diseases in the lab and don’t behave like witchdoctors though some of them are better than you because they first consult their ancestors before they serve their clients. The Chief Administrative officers should assist the veterinary doctors to administer the vaccines in their respective districts by availing cars to transport vaccines to cattle farmers. As National Animal Disease Diagnostic center, we shall make a follow-up where the vaccines have been administered so as to establish their effectiveness, “Dr. Wanyama explained.
The Butaleja District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) who spoke on behalf of District Veterinary officers, Mr. Fred Kizito Mukasa, informed the Minister that consequences of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease have been felt in all districts and that it affect revenue collection because most traders who were dealing in livestock were rendered redundant.
“The outbreak threatened food security in the affected districts and we are grateful that government has availed foot and mouth disease vaccines and we pledge to utilize them properly, “Mr. Mukasa pledged.
