Uganda's Ntungamo Imposes Foot-and-Mouth Disease Quarantine, Closes Livestock Markets

Ntungamo District is taking decisive action to curb the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), implementing a strict one-month quarantine and temporarily shutting down all livestock markets. This urgent measure, effective immediately and lasting until May 27, 2026, halts all trade in cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs, alongside a ban on the movement of animal products like milk and meat. The district veterinary officials have described this as a necessary intervention to prevent further transmission of this highly contagious disease.

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The FMD restriction quarantine has been put in place for one month as we observe the transactions taking place on the ground. The hill that separates Rukiga and Ntungamo--Mugyera-Ruhaara, has been temporarily affected, and the people occupying that area have been asked to vacate for further management

Dr. Yake Musoke Basulira, the District Veterinary Officer, confirmed that the quarantine encompasses the entire district as surveillance teams meticulously monitor the disease's patterns. The outbreak has raised particular alarm in Ngoma Sub-county, where a high concentration of livestock facilitated rapid spread. Veterinary teams are actively deploying quarantine task forces and surveillance units to affected and high-risk zones, alongside a mass vaccination campaign targeting all susceptible animals throughout the quarantine period.

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We intend to have fixed and mobile checkpoints on routes leading into Ntungamo and along trade corridors. We shall review our status on May 27, 2026

Enforcement is being tightened with fixed and mobile checkpoints along major routes to regulate animal movement and trade. However, challenges persist, particularly in Rushenyi County, where FMD cases have been recurrent. Dr. Basulira noted farmer hesitancy towards vaccination and registration, with some fearing data entry might lead to future taxation. This underscores a critical need for enhanced community engagement and trust-building to ensure the success of containment strategies.

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The task team is also working to set up specific guidelines for domestic consumption for people hosting parties, burial ceremonies, and hotels, which must be followed strictly

From Uganda's perspective, controlling FMD is not just about animal health; it's crucial for the livelihoods of countless farmers and the stability of the agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the national economy. While international news might focus on the economic impact, for Ugandans, the immediate concern is protecting their herds, ensuring food security, and preventing the devastating economic losses that FMD outbreaks can inflict on rural communities. The stringent measures reflect the gravity with which the district views this threat.

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We have had persistence of FMD in Rushenyi County. Some farmers were hesitant to vaccinate, others waited to see cases in their neighborhoods, and some fear entering their biodata and livestock data into the system, thinking they may be taxed later