Ibanda district bans movement of livestock over foot and mouth disease

Ibanda, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Ibanda district has imposed a total ban on the sale and movement of livestock in a bid to contain the spread of foot and mouth disease. The ban takes effect on Friday 4th June 2021.

Bisheshe division in Ibanda municipality where the disease was first detected last year in December has been under quarantine.

The Ibanda District Veterinary Officer, Dr Hillary Arinaitwe says that foot and mouth disease has since spread out to other areas of Ibanda South, and Ibanda North.

According to Arinaitwe, the new cases have been identified in eight farms across the district.

Arinaitwe says that all livestock markets, milk and animal product selling points and slaughter areas across the district have been closed.

Arinaitwe accuses traders who continue to transport animals and their products from areas under quarantine within the areas and neighbouring districts of Kazo and Kiruhura to Ibanda.

He says the disease spreads widely in the dry season which since mid-May has hit areas in the cattle corridor.

David Bigiira, a cattle farmer and owner of Nyabuhikye diary says as milk traders, they are set to lose a lot of milk which means losing income, since milk cannot be stored for a long time.

Anne Tuhamibwe, a diary operator in Ibanda municipality welcomes the ban, however says it is going to affect their income.

Yason Kabigumira, a farmer accuses traders of the widespread disease, noting that much as the farmers have tried to heed the regulations and guidelines, they are being let down by the livestock traders.

He wants more security heightened on all routes into Ibanda district to arrest those traders and farmers who connive with them.

Ibanda district becomes the second district to announce a total ban after Kiruhura district.

Authorities in the cattle corridor districts of Isingiro, Lyantonde, Kazo, Kiruhura, Mbarara district and city announced quarantine on the slaughter, sale and movement of cattle following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

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