EDITOR
Residents of Nyakyera Town Council have expressed concern over the strict quarantine measures and regulations imposed following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), saying the restrictions are negatively affecting their livelihoods.
According to residents, the quarantine has greatly affected businesses, especially cattle traders and butcheries, many of which risk closing due to a lack of customers. They say the situation is causing serious financial hardship in the community.
Speaking to reporters, Muhoozi Justas, a cattle keeper and resident of Kashoro Cell in Nyakyera Town Council, said he has failed to sell any of his animals, including cows and goats, ever since the government imposed the quarantine.
Justas explained that livestock sales are his main source of income and that the restrictions have left him struggling to provide for his family. He added that even when buyers are available, they offer very low prices due to fear of making losses because livestock trade is currently prohibited.
He appealed to the government to provide veterinary medicine and support in time so that farmers can overcome the crisis and resume their businesses.
Meanwhile, Mubangizi Elisa, a cattle keeper and resident of Nyamatongo Cell in Nyakyera Town Council, said both milk and livestock have lost market value because farmers have nowhere to sell them.
Elisa noted that many farmers are failing to pay workers on their farms due to lack of income from livestock and animal products. She warned that if the quarantine continues for a long time, some children may drop out of school because parents will fail to raise school fees.
Nyakyera Town Clerk Bemanya Godwin said the town council is also facing financial difficulties because local revenue collection has greatly reduced.
Godwin explained that the council previously collected taxes from cattle traders, butcheries, hotels, and other businesses, many of which have now closed due to lack of customers and shortage of meat supplies. He said this has affected the government’s ability to provide social services to residents.
In response, Rubahiika Chrispus, the GISO of Nyakyera Town Council, said the quarantine measures were introduced to control the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease.
Chrispus stated that slaughtering animals and moving livestock from one area to another have been strictly prohibited. He added that if residents cooperate and follow the guidelines, the quarantine could last for about one month before normal business operations resume.
Chrispus further blamed some farmers for contributing to the spread of the disease by failing to vaccinate their animals, claiming that vaccination costs are too high.
He also said that grazing animals together in the same areas increases the risk of infected animals spreading the disease to healthy ones. In addition, he warned against the illegal transportation of meat from one community to another, saying it could spread infected meat to more people.
Chrispus encouraged residents to follow all the set guidelines to help fight Foot and Mouth Disease in Nyakyera Town Council.
