Govt targets 45 million animals in new

________________ The government has launched Uganda's largest livestock vaccination campaign, targeting an estimated 45.5 million animals in a nationwide effort to eliminate recurring outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and protect the country's growing livestock industry. The campaign, which begins in July and runs through August, will cover cattle, goats, sheep and pigs across the country under a newly introduced compulsory biannual vaccination programme. Speaking during a media briefing on June 14, 2026, animal industry state minister Bright Rwamirama said the initiative is aimed at building herd immunity, reducing disease outbreaks and safeguarding livestock trade both locally and internationally. "We are now finalising preparations for the first nationwide mass vaccination campaign that will begin in July and end in August this year. The campaign targets Uganda's estimated 45.5 million susceptible animals comprising 16.5 million cattle, 17.4 million goats, 4.4 million sheep and approximately eight million pigs," Rwamirama said. The vaccination programme forms part of a new government policy requiring all livestock farmers to vaccinate susceptible animals every six months. Under the arrangement, farmers will contribute sh8,000 per dose for cattle and pigs and sh4,000 for goats and sheep , while the government will meet the costs of vaccine procurement, distribution, transportation, supervision and disease surveillance. Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and certain wildlife species. The disease spreads through direct contact between infected animals, contaminated equipment, animal products, vehicles and people moving between farms.