Disease claims over 100 goats in Kagadi, sample collection starts

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The death toll of goats following the outbreak of a mysterious disease in Kagadi district has risen to 100 in less than three weeks.

The worst-hit areas include Bufundi, Bwema A and B, in Kisungu parish and parts of Kataremwa parish in Nyakarongo sub-county.

Affected goats present symptoms, including diarrhoea, coughing, sneezing, nasal and eye discharge, laboured breathing and swollen or sealed eyes, often dying shortly after these signs appear.

Antonia Muruli, a goat farmer in Bufundi trading centre, says he has lost 10 goats in two weeks.

He expressed deep concern about the rapid spread and devastating impact of the disease on their livelihoods.

Emmanuel Byaruhanga, another 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 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 they 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 a recent interview, Kagadi district veterinary officer Reuben Kiggundu Kawagga said he was unaware of the outbreak but promised to coordinate with his team on the ground to investigate the reports.