NTUNGAMO, August 19, 2026 — Authorities in Ntungamo district have partially lifted the livestock quarantine imposed in February following an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease [ FMD ], allowing the controlled movement of livestock and animal products while maintaining strict restrictions in areas where the disease remains active.
The decision was reached during a high-level stakeholders’ FMD management meeting held recently at the Ntungamo District Council Hall. The meeting brought together livestock farmers, cattle traders, transporters, sub-county chiefs, local political leaders and district veterinary officials to review disease surveillance data and agree on new operational guidelines.
Controlled easing of quarantine measures
Addressing stakeholders, Ntungamo District Production and Veterinary Officer Dr Yake Basurila Musoke said significant progress in containing the disease had made the partial lifting of the quarantine possible.
“Ntungamo has been under total FMD quarantine since February,” Yake said. “Recent improvements in disease control have prompted the district task force to lift the general quarantine across most of the district. However, we are retaining strict movement restrictions in Ngoma Sub-county, Rwekiniro Sub-county and Rubaare Town Council, where FMD cases remain an active concern.”
Yake emphasised that the resumption of livestock trade in the unaffected areas would remain subject to strict biosecurity and veterinary regulations.
“The movement of livestock and animal products will remain subject to mandatory veterinary guidelines aimed at preventing any further spread of the disease,” he said. “We urge farmers to promptly report suspected cases, respect movement restrictions in Ngoma, Rwekiniro and Rubaare Town Council, and fully cooperate with veterinary teams during ongoing vaccination and surveillance exercises.”
Security directives and compliance warnings
Welcoming the district task force’s resolution, Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner Miriam Kagaiga Mugisha cautioned stakeholders against complacency during the transition period.
“We welcome this decision to ease restrictions on our farming communities,” Mugisha said. “However, farmers, livestock traders and transporters must strictly comply with all veterinary guidelines. Any failure to observe these containment measures risks reversing the hard-won progress we have achieved over the past six months and could force us to reintroduce a total district-wide lockdown.”
Socio-economic relief for livestock communities
The partial lifting of the six-month quarantine comes as a relief to livestock farmers and traders whose livelihoods were disrupted when district authorities and security teams imposed a total ban on animal movement in February 2026.
The prolonged outbreak disrupted livestock markets, reduced local government revenue and affected meat supply chains across Ankole Sub-region.
Under the new operational framework, residents can now buy and sell meat through approved and inspected slaughterhouses and butcheries, provided the livestock originates from areas complying with the biosecurity measures in force across the non-affected parts of the district.
Veterinary authorities, however, have urged farmers and traders to remain vigilant and adhere to all movement, vaccination and surveillance requirements to prevent a resurgence of FMD.
https://thecooperator.news/ntungamo-coop-bosses-suspended-over-missing-shs-553mln/
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