A confirmed outbreak of Goat Plague, also known as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), has claimed hundreds of goats in Kikuube District. The disease is characterized by sudden onset of depression, fever, eye and nose discharge, mouth sores, breathing difficulties, cough, foul-smelling diarrhea, and death. It is caused by a virus that spreads easily through direct contact, airborne droplets, or contaminated water and feed. While goats and sheep are the primary hosts, it can also affect camels, pigs, and cattle to a lesser extent.
Last week, farmers in Kikuube reported losing more than 400 goats to the disease. The most affected parishes are Buhuka, Butoole, and Kyangwali in Kyangwali Sub-County. The deaths began last month, forcing farmers to bury carcasses as people fear consuming the meat. Affected goats exhibited diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, nasal and eye discharge, and labored breathing, leading to death.
Dr. Barnabas Ntume, the Kikuube District Veterinary Officer (DVO), told Uganda Radio Network (URN) that blood samples taken from sick animals and tested at the National Animal Disease Diagnosis and Epidemiology Center (NADDEC) returned positive for Goat Plague. He added that the district has begun mass vaccination campaigns to prevent further spread. Dr. Ntume also warned farmers against transporting goats and sheep from affected areas to other sub-counties or neighboring districts to contain the disease.
Vincent Okumu, a farmer at Buhuka Landing Site, reported losing 40 goats, saying farmers are deeply concerned following the massive deaths. Emmanuel Bisemeza, Kyangwali Sub-County LC3 Chairperson, urged the district veterinary department to expedite vaccinations in the affected areas. This is not the first outbreak in the region. In July 2025, a mysterious disease killed more than 300 goats in Buseruka Sub-County, Hoima District, affecting areas such as Lyato, Kasenyi, and Fofo Landing Site, with symptoms similar to those now observed in Kikuube.
Previous outbreaks of Goat Plague also include March 2021, when over 200 goats were killed at Mbegu Landing Site, Buseruka Sub-County, Hoima District, and November 2021, when over 300 goats died in a similar outbreak that was eventually contained through mass vaccination. Experts warn that goats showing symptoms of the disease often die, making rapid detection and vaccination critical to prevent large-scale losses.
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