By Alfred Opio
Livestock farmers in Pallisa District will now be required to pay for the vaccination of their animals against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), following a new directive from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
The development was confirmed by the Pallisa District Veterinary Officer, Roem Otodo, during an interview with our reporter.
Otodo revealed that his office received official communication from the ministry on January 23, instructing districts to implement cost recovery measures for livestock vaccinations as part of efforts to strengthen disease control and improve the sustainability of animal health services.
Under the new arrangement, vaccination fees have been standardized across animal categories. Farmers will pay Shs 8,000 per animal for cattle and pigs, while goats and sheep will be charged Shs 4,000 per animal.
According to Otodo, the policy is intended to enhance the fight against FMD, a highly contagious viral disease that continues to threaten livestock production, disrupt trade, and undermine farmers’ livelihoods in the district.
“This move is meant to strengthen disease prevention and ensure consistent vaccination coverage,” Otodo explained. “We urge all farmers to comply because unvaccinated animals will not be allowed into livestock markets within Pallisa District.”
However, the directive has generated mixed reactions among local farmers, many of whom say the charges are unaffordable.
Stephen Omuduka, a livestock farmer from Kayepei Village in Kadesok Parish, Opwateta Sub-county, described the fees as excessive. Owning 24 head of cattle, he said the total cost would place a heavy burden on his household.
Omuduka appealed to the government to reconsider the pricing structure, proposing that vaccination charges be reduced to Shs 2,000 for cattle and pigs and Shs 1,000 for goats and sheep to make the exercise more accessible.
Similarly, Sam Oriada, a farmer from Osekello Village in Apapa Parish, Olok Sub-county, said the new costs have forced him to scale down his livestock operations. He plans to reduce his herd from 18 animals to just five, citing financial constraints.
Oriada criticized the government for what he described as a lack of support for small-scale farmers.
“We already pay many taxes, but support at the grassroots level remains limited,” he said. “These new charges only make it harder for us to survive.”
Foot-and-Mouth Disease remains one of the most significant livestock health challenges in Uganda, often leading to quarantines, market closures, and substantial economic losses. Authorities maintain that widespread vaccination is essential to controlling outbreaks and protecting both farmers and the broader livestock industry.
District officials say implementation of the new policy will begin immediately, with sensitization campaigns planned to inform farmers about the importance of vaccination and compliance requirements.
