Farmers in Bukedea district have welcomed the end of a quarantine that had been in place since January 25, 2024, due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD). The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries announced the lifting of the restrictions, which had prohibited the movement of cattle, goats, sheep, and their products within, to, and through the affected areas.
The quarantine was imposed after FMD outbreaks were reported in Komuge, Kidongole, Kachumbala, and Koena sub-counties. According to a letter from Dr. Ann Rose Ademun, Commissioner of Animal Health, the disease has now been brought under control, and the quarantine measures are no longer necessary.
Dr. Ademun’s statement, released on July 26, 2024, confirmed that the restrictions were lifted immediately. She credited the success of increased community awareness campaigns and strategic ring vaccinations for controlling the disease.
For the farmers in Bukedea, the news has brought significant relief. Many of them rely on livestock sales to support their families and fund their children’s education. The prolonged quarantine had severely impacted their ability to earn a living.
The district authorities also noted that the quarantine led to a decrease in revenue from cattle markets, which are crucial to the district’s economy. Bukedea is known for having one of the largest cattle markets in the Teso sub-region.
Simon Ongura, the district vice chairperson, highlighted the challenges faced by local farmers during the quarantine. He mentioned that the inability to sell livestock had forced many families to struggle with school fees for their children, as their income from farming was significantly reduced.
The end of the quarantine is expected to help restore economic stability for farmers and revitalize the local cattle market, which plays a vital role in Bukedea’s economy.
