Livestock dealers in Ibanda North want quarantine lifted

Ibanda, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Livestock dealers in Ibanda North county are pleading with the government to lift the quarantine against the animal movement in the region.

The district has been under restricted livestock movement since the beginning of this month, following an outbreak of the highly contagious Foot and Mouth disease in the area.

But the dealers from Ishogororo town council, Nyamarebe sub county, Rushango town council, Kanyarugyiri town council, Rwekobwa town council, Kijngo sub county and Ishogororo sub county have since voiced discontent with the quarantine saying they have been deprived of incomes.

The dealers argue that they have taken time without registering any FMD associated death, yet farmers are still under restriction and cannot sell their animals.

Jackson Ngangi, the chairperson of Ibanda North Butchers Association says that the continued closure of cattle markets is leaving them with no major source of income.

The cattle farmers say that they are currently faced with numerous challenges including feeding their families and repaying loans they got from financial institutions.

The Ibanda North veterinary doctor Meshach Mugabi, says Ibanda North was affected by the ban because it neighbours Ibanda municipality and Kazo district which have registered high cases of FMD.

He however says that the concerns raised by the dealers will be discussed in the district FMD taskforce chaired by the Resident District Commissioner.

Mugabi advised the cattle traders and farmers to adhere to the FMD guidelines which include spraying the farms and slaughtering slabs until the ban is lifted.

Elias Tumubweine, the vice-chairperson LC V, Ibanda district and councillor representing Ishongororo town council says they are also stranded on how they will enforce the guidelines in areas where there are no cases of FMD.

Last week, veterinary authorities partially lifted the quarantine in Kiruhura district and Mbarara City.

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