Kabale district councilors have called for the immediate lifting of the ban on the sale and transportation of pigs and their products five months after it was put in place following an outbreak of African swine fever.
The fever which was detected in November 2011 is said have so far killed over 1200 pigs in Kabale district alone.
During a council session held at Rukiiko hall in Makanga Kabale municipality chaired by Speaker Pastori Twinomuhangi, the councilors accused the district authorities of sitting back as piggery farmers get stuck with their animals.
Lydia Turyahumura, the Nyamweru sub county female councilor revealed that the district authorities just imposed the ban and did not take any step to have swine fever wiped out.
She said that now many farmers are suffering since piggery was the main source of their livelihood.
Silver Baguma, the Ikumba sub county district councilor said it is unfortunate for locals to just keep their pigs at home adding that some farmers are now unable to feed their animals due to the ever increasing numbers.
He said that the district veterinary officials should separate those animals which are affected from those which are free from swine fever as well as allowing the owners to sell them off.
Victor Kyatuka, the Nyamweru sub county councilor told the meeting that since the ban was put in place the district officials have never moved to the farmers to provide them with the necessary advice of how to look after the affected pigs as well as containing the disease from spreading to other animals.
Mary Bebwajuba, the district secretary for production, however, said that swine fever is still in the district and that new cases were identified in Hamurwa Sub County at the end of March.
She said that it will be unrealistic for the councilors to demand for the immediate lifting of the ban on the sale and consumption of pork.
The district chairperson Patrick Besigye Keihwa, told the meeting that the district has not failed to act but that they were told the disease has no cure and they only had to wait up to when all the affected pigs are wiped out.
Frank Ntaho, the Kabale district chief administrative officer told the councilors that he had no powers to just lift the ban on their request before enough assurance that the fever is no longer in existence.
Ntaho further revealed that the acting district veterinary officer Doctor Bernad Kabagambe and other extension workers will visit farmers to sensitize them on how to look after their pigs.
Ntaho revealed that the quarantine is legally in place and cannot just be lifted.
Wilber Mugisha, a former pork seller says that they have been rendered unemployed for and that it is time for the district come up with a clear stand pertaining to the ban.
