Uganda is set to launch its first nationwide mass vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease between July and August 2026. The campaign will target about 45.5 million susceptible animals as part of a wider effort to strengthen animal health systems and reduce the economic impact of the disease.
The campaign marks the first large-scale implementation of Uganda’s national vaccination model for foot-and-mouth disease. Under the new approach, the government plans to carry out two vaccination rounds each year to gradually cover the country’s livestock population and reduce the spread of the virus.
The government will provide vaccines, cold-chain infrastructure, logistics, distribution support and veterinary supervision. Farmers will contribute through subsidized vaccination fees set at 8,000 Ugandan shillings per dose for cattle and pigs, and 4,000 Ugandan shillings per dose for goats and sheep.
Farmers will also be required to register in a national database before participating in the vaccination campaign. The registration process is intended to improve disease monitoring, strengthen livestock records and support more effective vaccination coverage across the country.
According to State Minister for Animal Industry Bright Rwamirama, the campaign will cover approximately 16.5 million cattle, 17.4 million goats, 4.5 million sheep and about eight million pigs. The initiative is expected to help Uganda move away from short-term outbreak response toward a more sustainable disease-control strategy.
Foot-and-mouth disease is rarely fatal in adult animals, but it causes major economic losses for farmers and the wider livestock sector. The disease reduces milk production, affects fertility and leads to trade restrictions on live animals and animal products such as meat and milk.
Uganda has recorded increasing cases of foot-and-mouth disease in recent years, with more than 40 districts reporting outbreaks in 2023 and additional cases recorded in 2024 and 2025. The continued spread of the disease has increased pressure on authorities to strengthen prevention and control measures.
The national campaign also aligns with broader regional efforts to control foot-and-mouth disease in East Africa. Countries in the region have adopted a strategic framework for 2026 to 2035 to improve surveillance, vaccination, diagnostics, animal movement controls and cross-border cooperation.
By launching the nationwide vaccination drive, Uganda aims to protect livestock, reduce losses for farmers, strengthen trade opportunities and improve resilience in the animal agriculture sector.
