UPC President Akena Reopens Akokoro Cattle Dip after nearly 40 Years

13 January 2026, 1:52 pm

By Denish Ongora

The President of the Uganda People’s Congress, Jimmy Akena Obote, has reopened a community cattle dip in Akokoro Sub County, Apac District, marking the first cattle dipping exercise in the area since 1987.

Speaking to the media at his home in Akokoro, Akena said the revival of the dip tank is part of a deliberate effort to rebuild livestock livelihoods destroyed during years of conflict.

The dip, originally constructed during the late President Apollo Milton Obote’s regime, had remained idle for nearly 40 years after cattle were lost and communities displaced.

Akena noted that his family made a conscious decision to forgive the past and focus on restoring the future, starting with livestock infrastructure.

He emphasized that cattle restoration must begin with disease control, training, and community organization, not just compensation.

The rehabilitated cattle dip has a capacity of 15,000 litres and will help control tick- and tsetse-borne diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and trypanosomiasis.

Akena explained that rehabilitating the existing structure cost less than a quarter of the 68 million shillings required to install a modern spray race, making it more suitable for communal use.

He added that he plans to rehabilitate about 80 dip tanks across Northern Uganda, with donor support already pledged for four additional facilities.

Akena urged communities to take shared responsibility for managing the dips.

After the media briefing, journalists were taken to Akena’s farm, where more than 20 cattle were dipped to launch the new initiative.

For many residents and animals, this was their first experience of cattle dipping, a practice absent for generations.

Veterinarian Dr. Silvano Odero said the dip would significantly reduce livestock losses and health risks to farmers, noting that manual spraying is largely ineffective.

For now, the service is provided free of charge as the community adapts.

Okello Ramathan a local farmer welcomed the initiative, saying dipping is more effective than hand spraying and will improve cattle health.