The Government through the Ministry Of Agriculture, Animal, Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has finally lifted a livestock quarantine in Lyantonde district, two years after a serious outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
In a letter dated April 22, 2025 addressed to Lyantonde District Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. Anna Rose Ademun, the Commissioner Animal Health, says the restrictions have been lifted with immediate effect.
The district went under a lockdown on 23rd January, 2023 as prescribed by the Animal Diseases Act, Cap 38, but authorities said the disease is under control.
According to Ademun, increased community awareness about FMD and the strategic ring vaccinations carried out in the affected areas and status report on FMD outbreak in Lyantonde district have confirmed that the disease has been brought under control.
This means movement of cattle, goats and sheep and their products from Lyantonde to other districts will resume immediately following the ministry’s directive.
“The purpose of this communication therefore, is to inform you that the quarantine restrictions that had been imposed on the entire District due to FMD are lifted with immediate effect,” Ademun said.
The news has not only excited district officials, but also brought relief to livestock farmers, dealers and those selling animal products within the area.
Wilson Kutamba, the Communications Officer for Lyantonde District, told New Vision that they carried out mass vaccination of over 200,000 head of cattle, goats, and sheep to curb FMD.
To lift the quarantine and open the livestock markets, the Minister of State for Animal Husbandry – Bright Rwamirama instructed the district authorities to vaccinate animals and achieve at least 80 percent. “But this month (April), Lyantonde was at 98 percent vaccination hence lifting of the quarantine,” he said.
According to Kutamba, they received over 180,000 doses to vaccinate the animals including 800,000 doses in the initial phase and more 100,000 doses subsequently.
So Lwengo communities near Lyantonde are free to trade animal products but still under strict monitoring.
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