FMD factory to cut vaccine prices – Minister Tumwebaze

What the report says

Uganda’s agriculture minister, Frank Tumwebaze, says a locally based factory for foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccines is expected to lower what livestock farmers pay to vaccinate their animals. Watchdog Uganda reported that the project is a partnership between the governments of Uganda and Egypt, and that it is intended to reduce reliance on current supplies and cut costs for farmers.

During a parliamentary sitting on Thursday, 20 August 2026, Tumwebaze said the present prices in stock were about Shs8,000 for cows and Shs4,000 for goats, but that the cost should fall once local production starts. He did not give a launch date, saying only that the partnership had been signed and preparations were moving forward. The minister’s remarks came after MPs raised concerns about the cost-recovery approach used in the FMD vaccination programme and about public awareness of the payment policy.

Tumwebaze also said farmers are expected to pay for the vaccine online, and that cases of veterinary officers allegedly demanding cash payments had been reported to authorities. He promised wider announcements in local languages so animal owners understand how to access the vaccine. In the same sitting, he said government can no longer provide free maize and coffee seedlings and that farmers should seek support through the Parish Development Model. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja separately urged MPs to monitor government programmes such as PDM, Emyooga and Grow, and to track restocking support in northern and eastern Uganda.