Dip vat restorations bring hope to livestock farmers in northern Uganda

APAC, January 27, 2026 — Livestock farmers in northern Uganda are set to benefit from the restoration of communal cattle tanks/ vats a move expected to significantly reduce vector-borne diseases among cattle.

Jimmy Akena Foundation Services Limited, based in the Lango sub-region, has embarked on a programme to rehabilitate 80 dip tank systems across greater northern Uganda. The initiative, led by the Foundation’s vision bearer Jimmy James Michael Akena, targets the sub-regions of Lango, Acholi, Teso, parts of Karamoja and West Nile.

Currently, two dip tanks are operational in Alebtong and Apac districts.

According to Akena, most of the dip tanks/ plunges were constructed in the 1970s but later fell into disuse due to political instability and the prolonged conflict in northern Uganda.

“These dip tanks have existed for decades, but for nearly 40 years they have been dormant because of war and politics,” Akena said. “I have decided to trace and rehabilitate them, although the process has been delayed by ownership issues and access challenges, as some dip vats s are located on private land.”

He added that the goal is to restore 80 functional dip vats, with the level of rehabilitation depending on the extent of damage to each structure.

“Our aim is to conduct the first large-scale cattle dipping since 1987, when many animals,  and even lives, were lost,” he said. “The community must cooperate, especially those hosting the dip vats on their land.”

Akena noted that dip tanks are too costly for individual farmers to establish and maintain, explaining that the abandoned facilities were originally government property.

He urged the government, which is currently implementing cattle restocking programmes in northern Uganda, to support efforts that ensure a vector-free environment to improve cattle survival rates.

“It is impossible for individual farmers to manage these diseases on their own,” Akena said. “Vector control must be handled at a national level. Restocking animals without putting disease-control systems in place is risky, especially when most farmers rely on hand pumps and chemical spraying, which is largely ineffective.”

The restoration will be carried out in phases, Akena said, adding that northern Uganda is currently grappling with Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia [CBPP].

“We have a donor in the United States who has committed support for four dip vats as a starting point,” he said.

Dr Silvano Odero, a veterinary officer operating in the Lango sub-region, said tick-borne diseases remain one of the biggest challenges facing cattle farmers.

“Farmers continue to lose animals and spend millions of shillings trying to manage ticks, tsetse flies and other vectors,” Odero said. “These diseases cause trypanosomiasis and even sleeping sickness in humans. Without operational structures like dip tanks, communities suffer massive production losses.”

He explained that traditional methods such as handpicking ticks or spraying cattle are ineffective, especially where herd sizes are large.

“Some ticks have long, sharp mouthparts that cannot be removed by hand,” he said. “Dipping is the most effective and cost-efficient solution. Once a dip is charged with chemicals, it can be used for almost a year with regular monitoring and replenishment.”

Ramathan Okello, a resident of Akokoro Trading Centre East in Apac district, said he previously lost several cows to tick infestations.

“Treating tick-borne diseases was extremely difficult,” Okello said. “Spraying could not reach sensitive areas like the ears and armpits, and some cows became dizzy, collapsed in the bush and died without help.”

Okello, who recently brought his cattle for dipping, welcomed the restoration of the facility.

“We are happy that dipping has returned,” he said. “The medicine reaches every part of the animal’s body, unlike spraying or handpicking. We ask that this programme continues so more farmers can benefit.”

Another farmer, Twontoo Okello from Oyere village in Alebtong district, said the restored dip tank had once served communities across neighbouring sub-counties in the 1980s.

“The roof was destroyed and replaced with a temporary cover,” he said. “Now that it is functional again, it will help us control ticks. My prayer is that it is fully and permanently restored.”

The LC3 Chairperson of Omoro Sub-county, Isaac Apenyo, urged residents to make full use of the facility.

“This dip tank was constructed in 1972, and its revival is a big relief,” Apenyo said. “Ticks have affected our cattle for over 40 years, damaging their skin and reducing their market value.”

He added that sub-county committees would be established to manage and maintain the dip tanks.

“We plan to pass a council budget to complete the roofing and walkway,” he said. “A management committee will also be formed to collect a small fee per animal to purchase chemicals, as the dip vat must be refilled after about a year.”

https://thecooperator.news/vets-trained-in-ai-to-boost-livestock-in-teso/

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