Farmers count losses as Goat Plague kills hundreds in Kikuube
The disease is characterised by the sudden onset of depression, fever, discharge from the eyes and nose, mouth sores, breathing difficulties, coughing, foul-smelling diarrhoea and, in many cases, death
KIKUUBE, November 14, 2025 — Authorities in Kikuube district have confirmed an outbreak of Goat Plague, scientifically known as Peste des Petits Ruminants [PPR], which has left farmers counting heavy losses as the disease continues to kill hundreds of animals in the area.
The disease is characterised by the sudden onset of depression, fever, discharge from the eyes and nose, mouth sores, breathing difficulties, coughing, foul-smelling diarrhoea and, in many cases, death.
PPR is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through direct contact, airborne droplets, or contaminated water and feed. Goats and sheep are the primary hosts, although the disease can also affect camels and, to a lesser extent, pigs and cattle.
Farmers in Kikuube have reported losing more than 400 goats to what was initially described as a “strange disease”. The most affected parishes include Buhuka, Butoole, and Kyangwali in Kyangwali Sub-county, where the deaths began last month.
Many farmers have been forced to bury the carcasses, as locals fear consuming the meat.
Goats that died from the disease exhibited symptoms such as diarrhoea, coughing, sneezing, nasal and eye discharge, and laboured breathing before succumbing.
Dr Barnabas Ntume, the Kikuube District Veterinary Officer [DVO], told theCooperators News that blood samples from some of the affected animals were tested at the National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre [NADDEC] and confirmed positive for PPR.
He said the district had embarked on a mass vaccination campaign to curb the spread of the disease.
Ntume also warned farmers against transporting goats and sheep from affected areas to other parts of the district, or neighbouring districts, to prevent further transmission.
“The disease is highly contagious, so as the production department, we are asking farmers to avoid transporting or selling animals from affected areas to places where the disease has not yet been reported,” he said.
Vincent Okumu, a farmer from Buhuka Landing Site, reported losing 40 goats to the disease. He expressed deep concern over the heavy losses incurred.
“The death of my goats is a big loss. I have lost my source of income. I call on the government to come out and help us farmers who have lost our animals,” he said.
Emmanuel Bisemeza, the LC3 Chairperson of Kyangwali Sub-county, appealed to the district veterinary department to fast-track the vaccination of goats in affected areas to prevent further spread.
He noted that cattle farmers were also growing anxious, fearing the disease could spread to their animals if not contained swiftly.
In July 2025, a similar outbreak in Buseruka Sub-county, Hoima district, killed more than 300 goats. The worst-hit areas then included Lyato, Kasenyi, and the Fofo landing site. The symptoms reported were identical to those currently observed in Kikuube. That outbreak was eventually contained through a mass vaccination campaign.
Experts warn that goats showing symptoms of PPR rarely survive, making early detection and prompt vaccination essential to prevent devastating losses.
https://thecooperator.news/maaif-to-vaccinate-44mln-animals-in-january-to-curb-spread-of-fmd/
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