MICHAEL N
Endless Foot and Mouth Disease Sparks Different Reactions as Ntungamo District LC5 Councillors Call for Ministry Intervention
Over the past three months, Ntungamo District cattle markets have been closed due to an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which has worried leaders and sparked different reactions from cattle keepers.
In a district council meeting held yesterday afternoon, led by Speaker Hon. Nicholas Twikirize, councilors tasked authorities to present a report on the progress made in fighting FMD and to explain the prolonged closure of markets.
Presenting his remarks during the council meeting, Rubaare Town Council LC5 Councilor Hon. Chrispus Mwesigwa Mwesigye stressed that some people in Ntungamo District have turned FMD into a business. He cited that although quarantines have been put in place, some leaders have used this as an opportunity to escort the transfer of animals from place to place, which has continued to spread the disease.
Rugarama Sub-county LC5 Councilor Sadati Tushabe Muhereza revealed that there is a need for the Ministry of Animal Husbandry to come to Ntungamo District and provide a comprehensive report on why FMD does not completely end in the district. She said that every year some leaders combine efforts and announce FMD, which may not even be present among animals. Sadati added that this has affected the economy of cattle keepers.
Goma Sub-county LC5 Councillor Justus Batarigaya stated that the closure of cattle markets for the last three months has affected them as cattle keepers. He cited that the laws put in place to curb FMD were not followed, which he attributes to some leaders in the district.
Cue: Justus Batarigaya LC5 Councillor RR
Itojo Sub-county LC5 Councilor Denis Muhumuza, commonly known as Gen Savimbi, attributed the continued spread of FMD to leaders who extort money from traders transporting cattle from place to place and those moving cow dung from farms to other areas, which increases the transfer of the disease. He appealed to Minister Bright Rwamirama to intervene and take swift action.
Other leaders, including Emily Atuzariwe representing Rwashamaire Town Council and Nyabihoko Sub-county, and Naboth Mpiridwe representing Ntungamo Sub-county, attributed FMD to being a project of a few individuals who benefit from the disease. They said FMD is no longer just a cattle disease but has become a people’s disease on its own.
The exchange of differing views during the council meeting prompted the Speaker to invite the District Veterinary Officer to give a status update on FMD.
Dr. Yake Basulira confirmed that FMD is present in Ntungamo District, especially in Nyakyera, Rubaare Town Council, Goma Sub-county, and Rwahi-Rwentobo Town Council. He said that several preventive measures have been put in place to fight the disease. However, he attributed its persistence to open markets in neighbouring districts such as Isingiro and Rukiga, farmers’ hesitation to vaccinate their cattle, open markets for milk and meat, the transfer of cow dung from farms to other areas, and some farmers keeping silent about the disease on their farms.
He urged the public to work together to curb the disease through mass free vaccination and to abstain from transporting cattle products, among other measures. He said that once these actions are implemented, it will only take three months to control the spread of the disease.
