Farmers in Kagadi district have been left devastated following the outbreak of a mysterious disease suspected to be goat plague (Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)) that has killed more than 100 goats in under three weeks.
The worst-hit areas include Bufundi,Bwema A and B,in Kisungu parish and other parts of Kataremwa parish in Nyakarongo Sub-County, where the outbreak is believed to have started before extending to Bwikara Sub-County in Kagadi district.
Affected goats are showing symptoms such as diarrhoea, coughing, sneezing, nasal and eye discharge, laboured breathing, and swollen or sealed eyes, often dying shortly after these signs appear.
According to scientists, most sheep and goats that show signs of the disease will die.
Antonia Muruli a goat farmer in Bufundi trading center says he has lost 10 goats in just two weeks.He expressed deep concern about the rapid spread and devastating impact of the disease on their livelihoods.
Emmanuel Byaruhanga, another goat farmer said he had lost 15 goats in a week period, described the situation as alarming and called on authorities to act swiftly to save the remaining livestock.
Farmers warn that without immediate intervention, the disease could wipe out the entire goat population in the area.
They are now appealing to the relevant authorities to urgently intervene and help save their remaining livestock.
The Bwema village chairman Tuhaise Akugizibwe says local farmers are suffering greatly and urged the government to vaccinate all goats across the sub-county to contain the spread.
He expressed fear that the mysterious goat disease might also spread to the people because have continued to feed on the meat from the dead animals.
Lawrence Niwagaba the veterinary officer for Nyakarongo Sub-County says they have started collecting animal samples and will send them to Kampala for analysis.He urges farmers to remain calm as government begins to contain the outbreak.
Niwagaba also warns farmers against consuming dead animals but rather urges them to either burn or burry them to contain the outbreak
Meanwhile in our recent media interviews with the Kagadi district veterinary officer Reuben Kiggundu Kawagga said he was not yet aware of the outbreak but promised to coordinate with his team on the ground to investigate the reports.
