BY KATAMU NEDINANI
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for the manufacturing of more Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine doses in order to deal with the contagious viral livestock infection.
In his request to the Egyptian government Museveni said Uganda has got over 44 million livestock which is in danger if this FMD is not addressed in time.
The President, who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, made the remarks while meeting a delegation from the government of Egypt at his Kisozi farm in Gomba District.
He said apart from the 16 million cows, there are goats, pigs, among other domestic animals; which bring the number of livestock in the country to 44 million and all of them require to be vaccinated.
President Museveni also welcomed the partnership between the Egyptian and Ugandan governments through NARO, saying it lessens the processes in research leading to timely approvals in the requirements for Agricultural production.
The Egyptian government gave 10 million doses of Foot and Mouth Disease to Uganda at a subsidized price of 0.9USD or 90 cents.
The first consignment of 3 million doses has been delivered so far, and is expected to reach the farmers in three weeks, according to Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
