Cattle farmers in Rakai District are opposed to the quarantine imposed by government on the movement and sale of cattle.
Two months ago government banned the movement of cattle in the districts of Rakai, Ntungamo and Isingiro following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. Although it is not known exactly how this strain of Foot and Mouth Disease spread, it is suspected that it was brought into Uganda by people and herds that were expelled from Tanzania early this year.
Farmers in Rakai say the quarantine is unfair because the sale of cattle and dairy products is their only source of income. They say they are facing tremendous financial difficulties because of the ban and request for government to lift the quarantine soon.
Daudi Mumbaneeza and Edward Muyambi, residents of Kakuuto sub-county, told journalists who visited Rakai that their children have been sent away from school because they do not have money to pay this term's fees.
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The farmers also complained directly to government when Animal Husbandry State Minister, Bright Rwamirama, visited Rakai district on Tuesday. They asked government for basic assistance like food aid until the quarantine and vaccination exercise ends.
However Rwamirama said the quarantine would not be lifted until all cattle in southwestern Uganda are vaccinated to avoid the spread of the highly-infectious Food and Mouth Disease.
