Farmers to pay for FMD vaccination under new cost recovery scheme

6 August 2026, 12:00 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

Livestock farmers in Pader District will be required to contribute towards Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination under a new cost recovery arrangement introduced by the government to strengthen disease control.

The information was shared during a stakeholders’ engagement on the implementation of the FMD Cost Recovery Scheme and compulsory mass vaccination programme held at the Pader District Health Boardroom.

Dr Emmanuel Isingoma, Senior Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said the new approach requires farmers to take greater responsibility for protecting their animals against FMD.

He said farmers with cattle and pigs will pay Shs 8,000 per animal, while those with goats and sheep will pay Shs 4,000 per animal during the vaccination exercise.

Dr Isingoma said the payments are part of the cost recovery arrangement aimed at supporting sustainable FMD control and ensuring livestock are regularly vaccinated to prevent outbreaks.

He urged local leaders and stakeholders to sensitise farmers about the new arrangement so that communities understand the costs involved and the importance of vaccination.

Catherine Amony, who represented the Pader District Chief Administrative Officer, said clear communication about the costs would be important in avoiding misunderstandings among farmers.

She asked the veterinary department to use radio and other communication platforms to provide farmers with accurate information before the exercise begins.

The District Veterinary Officer for Pader, Dr Robert S. Okeny, said the new vaccination approach differs from previous campaigns where veterinary teams vaccinated animals and left.

The compulsory vaccination programme is part of government efforts to prevent FMD outbreaks, protect livestock farmers and reduce economic losses associated with animal diseases.