Rugombe Town Council andButiiti Town Council in Kyenjojo District have been placed under livestock movement restrictions due to the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). This highly contagious viral disease has affected cattle in several parts of the district, authorities have confirmed.

The outbreak, first detected in the two sub-counties within the district, has prompted the suspension of livestock markets, the ban on the movement of cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs, and the ban on the sale of meat and milk products in the surrounding areas, in a bid to contain the spread of the disease.

According to the Ag. District Veterinary Officer, Mr. Amanyire Wilson, cases were first reported in Rugombe Town Council, where cattle exhibited excessive salivation, blisters on the mouth and hooves, and lameness. The disease, which spreads rapidly through contact and contaminated materials, poses a serious threat to farmers’ livelihoods. District leaders have urged farmers to isolate sick animals and observe strict hygiene measures as veterinary teams conduct surveillance and emergency vaccination.

 The Ag. DVO briefs one of the affected farmers at the farm

He also said that animals in affected areas are exhibiting classic symptoms of FMD, including excessive salivation, mouth sores, lameness, and blisters on the hooves. Although the disease rarely kills adult animals, it severely reduces productivity, particularly milk yield, and disrupts trade.

“Foot and Mouth Disease spreads very fast through contact between animals, shared grazing grounds, and contaminated equipment. The restrictions are necessary to protect farmers and neighboring districts,” the veterinary officer said.

Local authorities report that, while the disease rarely causes death in adult animals, its economic impact is severe. Farmers have been warned against selling infected animals, as this risks spreading the disease to neighboring districts.

In sensitization meetings held at Rugombe Trading Center and Butiiti Trading Center, the DVO also met with butchers and milk vendors, instructing them to halt the sale of milk and meat, as well as the movement of livestock, in an effort to counter the spread of the disease.

This quarantine has dealt a heavy blow to them as livestock-dependent households across the district. Farmers report sharp declines in income as milk and meat sales drop and cattle traders stay away from villages due to the restrictions.

“This is our main source of income,” said Kabasonga Resty, a farmer from Rugombe Town Council. “We cannot sell milk or animals, yet we still have to feed our families and pay school fees.”

 Butchery stalls at Rugombe Trading Center that have been closed after the outbreak of FMD

District authorities have warned farmers against selling or secretly moving sick animals, noting that such actions could worsen the outbreak and attract legal penalties. Local Council leaders have been tasked with enforcing the quarantine measures and sensitizing communities on disease prevention.

Meanwhile, veterinary teams have been deployed to conduct field surveillance, assess the extent of the outbreak, and guide farmers on isolating infected animals and disinfecting kraals. Plans are also underway to intensify vaccination once resources allow.

Local leaders are appealing for subsidized vaccines and relief measures to help farmers recover. They warn that repeated outbreaks could undermine poverty reduction efforts in livestock-dependent communities.

Foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks have been reported intermittently in the Tooro sub-region, often linked to animal movement across districts. Authorities say strengthening biosecurity at household and community levels remains critical to preventing future outbreaks.

 As containment efforts continue, farmers in Kyenjojo are hopeful that timely intervention will bring relief and protect livelihoods that depend heavily on livestock production.

 An extension worker, assisted by a farm laborer tries to get samples from the suspected infected cattle

 The DVO together with the OC Rugombe Police Post, brief butchers on the outbreak, and subsequent closure of butcheries to counter the spread

 Veterinary Officers sanitize with disinfectants after a visit to one of the farms suspected to contain FMD infected cattle