GOMBA: MINISTER ORDERS STRONGER FMD VACCINATION AS DISTRICT SEEKS LIVESTOCK SUPPORT

By kimera Hannington Communications Officer – Gomba District

Gomba District’s livestock sector is facing a difficult combination of low uptake of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination, critical veterinary staffing gaps and pressure on farmers from drought and rising production costs. During a ministerial visit to the district, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries called for stronger mobilisation and enforcement to improve vaccination coverage and protect livestock.

The engagement, held on 3 November 2026 at the Gomba District Headquarters Council Hall, brought together the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, district political and technical leaders, local leaders, farmer representatives and cooperative leaders. Discussions focused on agricultural development, livestock production, agricultural financing, water for production and service delivery.

The district’s production report presented a concerning picture of FMD vaccination performance. The District Production Officer reported performance at 4%, while collections stood at 1.70% of the target. The figures prompted the Minister to call for urgent action, stressing that vaccination is compulsory and that farmers must comply with the policy.

Mr Rwamirama said the co-payment required from farmers was affordable for those committed to livestock farming. He directed veterinary officers to continue sensitising farmers and called on all stakeholders, including political leaders and community structures, to take part in mobilisation and enforcement. He also called for stronger monitoring of veterinary drug suppliers.

The district used the visit to outline the practical constraints affecting veterinary services. Critical understaffing was identified as the principal challenge, alongside reliance on private practitioners who may not be adequately supervised. The district also lacks key facilities, including a mini-laboratory, an abattoir and a cattle holding ground.

The District Production Officer Kiddu Ben presented departmental priorities across veterinary services, fisheries, crop production, entomology and vermin control, and tabled requests intended to strengthen the department’s ability to serve farmers. The Chief Administrative Officer said the district would provide administrative support to the department and the vaccination exercise, including field facilitation and reconciliation of records.

The Minister pledged support towards addressing some of the infrastructure and equipment gaps. The commitments included an excavator for the district and tractor-hire services to support water for production and agricultural activities. He also promised Lactoscans to support milk-quality testing, and support for establishing a mini-laboratory, an abattoir and a cattle holding ground. He further directed the district to fill all vacant veterinary positions.

Farmer representatives and cooperative leaders raised concerns about the cost of FMD vaccination and veterinary drugs, the cost of tractor hire, access to coffee seedlings and agricultural loans, and limited water for production. They also reported theft of livestock and coffee, concerns that affect household incomes and farmers’ ability to sustain production.

The District Chairperson Abigaba George reported that prolonged drought had affected the district and highlighted livestock and coffee theft as pressing concerns. He assured the Minister of full political support for the vaccination exercise through community mobilisation and enforcement.

The Resident District Commissioner Katende Ronald called for improved vaccination performance and urged farmers to take responsibility for their agricultural enterprises. He also committed to supporting enforcement of livestock movement regulations in coordination with the Police.

The engagement brought national-level attention to the district’s vaccination performance and gave local leaders and technical officers an opportunity to present the staffing, infrastructure and production challenges facing farmers. The Minister’s directives and pledges provide a basis for follow-up by the district and relevant agencies.

For livestock farmers, however, the measure of progress will be practical: more animals reached by vaccination teams, improved access to veterinary services, functioning facilities and better support for water and production. Stronger mobilisation, reliable records and continued coordination among government, veterinary officers and communities will be central to turning the commitments made during the visit into