Gulu steps up tick control as Northern Uganda prepares for cattle restocking
GULU, March 18, 2026 — Gulu district has stepped up preparations to control ticks and other livestock vectors ahead of the Government’s planned restocking programme in Northern Uganda, with veterinary officials adopting newer technologies they say are safer and more effective for farmers and the environment.
District entomologist Alphonse Acaye said the district is intensifying vector surveillance and control measures as authorities prepare to receive animals under the restocking programme aimed at rebuilding livelihoods in a region that lost large numbers of cattle during the insurgency.
He said officials conduct two surveys annually to monitor vectors such as ticks and tsetse flies, collect samples from traps to identify species and sex, and continue interventions until infestations fall to acceptable levels.
Acaye said the district is now promoting the use of cattle crushes, heavily built metal stalls used to restrain animals during treatment, as part of a shift away from traditional dip tanks.
According to him, the newer system is more environmentally friendly because it avoids some of the risks associated with chemical waste from dip tanks, which can contaminate surrounding areas.
“In the past, there were government dip tanks at parish level, but many stopped functioning during the insurgency, forcing farmers to rely on private facilities at a high cost,” Acaye said.
He added that the current vector control interventions are provided free of charge to farmers, with Government meeting the cost of chemicals and related operations.
The renewed push comes as Government rolls out a five-year restocking programme valued at Shs 80 billion, intended to revive livestock production and restore livelihoods in Northern Uganda. Cabinet also resolved to compensate affected households with Shs 5 million cash.
Acting Gulu District Veterinary Officer, Alfred Opiyo said the region, once known for both crop and livestock production, is gradually rebuilding after decades of conflict that devastated animal stocks.
He said the district would not compromise on the health of animals supplied under the restocking programme, noting that improvements in vaccine storage and disease response capacity had strengthened preparedness.
Opiyo said Government has installed a regional cold-chain facility to support rapid response to livestock disease outbreaks and that veterinary teams have been carrying out community outreach, farmer training and routine monitoring at parish level.
He acknowledged that staffing remains a challenge, with the district operating with only 7 veterinary staff out of the required 25, but said clearance had been secured to recruit more personnel.
Farmers in Gulu have welcomed the restocking programme, although some expressed concern over grazing, drought and the cost of animal management during the dry season.
Grace Lagulu, a farmer in Loyo-boo village, Angaya Parish, Unyama Subcounty, said restocking could help raise household incomes and rebuild livestock numbers, but warned that prolonged dry spells and uncontrolled grazing continue to expose animals to accidents and losses.
Makerere University has also joined preparations through training for veterinarians, para-veterinarians and farmers in the diagnosis and management of tick-borne diseases ahead of the restocking exercise.
Officials say the effort is intended to strengthen disease surveillance, improve laboratory diagnosis and equip farmers with better knowledge of tick control as Northern Uganda seeks to restore livestock production.
https://thecooperator.news/uganda-loses-shs-3-8trn-annually-to-ticks-naro/
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