Government’s reversal on Kampala Meat ban brings relief to meat sellers.
The government has lifted the ban on the sale of meat and the transportation of livestock within Kampala city, following last month’s foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
An FMD case was found in a grazing unit in Kampala’s Rubaga division in February.
In an effort to stop the disease from spreading further throughout Kampala and the surrounding areas, the Ministry of Agriculture imposed strict regulations that prohibited the transportation of animals and animal byproducts within the city.
Lt Col Bright Rwamirama, the State Minister for Agriculture, has clarified that Kampala is not under complete quarantine and that the restrictions will not be implemented in a letter to the Minister for Kampala, Minsa Kabanda.
The minister stated that the technical team’s realization that the sick herd in Rubaga had been successfully treated led to the decision.
Part of Rwamirama’s letter states, “The technical team has since established that the disease is localized, the sick herd has been treated and put under strict surveillance.”
Rwamirama added that abattoirs and livestock markets operating in non-affected areas shall continue to operate to receive non-affected animals, provided that they do not originate from or pass through affected areas, in accordance with the guidelines for the safe trade in animals and animal products issued on February 2.
Farmers and traders of livestock who were worried that the previously imposed restrictions would negatively impact their enterprises are relieved by the news.
