Tumwebaze Says Farmers Only Pay for FMD Vaccine Doses

What the report says

Uganda’s Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze has clarified the terms of the country’s foot-and-mouth disease vaccination cost-recovery programme, saying farmers are only responsible for paying the price of vaccine doses. According to Nile Post, the government covers vaccination services and other major programme expenses, including procurement, cold-chain storage, transport, distribution, surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, registration and digital certification.

The report says the scheme charges Shs8,000 per cow or pig and Shs4,000 per goat or sheep for each vaccination cycle. Tumwebaze said those payments go into a revolving account used to restock vaccines and support the mandatory six-month vaccination schedule. He stressed that veterinary officers are not allowed to collect cash from farmers and that payments should be made only through authorised banking or digital channels set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Tumwebaze also said animals vaccinated under the programme will receive digital FMD certificates, which will be needed for livestock movement and access to meat and milk markets. He noted, however, that the certificate does not replace statutory movement permits or any restrictions in outbreak areas.

As additional context, Nile Post reported that Uganda has a large susceptible livestock population, which the minister said makes sustained vaccination important for controlling outbreaks and protecting farmers’ livelihoods. He also said the government is exploring local vaccine production with partners in Egypt and Mpigi, a step that could reduce dependence on imports and improve supply.