FAO and Government Undertake High-Level Monitoring Mission as Livestock Vaccination Campaign Gains Momentum in Karamoja
MOROTO, Uganda – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), has launched a high-level field monitoring mission to assess the progress of a large-scale livestock vaccination campaign currently underway in the Karamoja sub-region.
The joint delegation is visiting the districts of Moroto and Amudat to evaluate the implementation of the risk-based vaccination drive, which targets critical transboundary animal diseases that threaten the livelihoods of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.
Livestock is the backbone of Karamoja’s economy, providing food security and income for families across the region. However, the area is prone to recurrent outbreaks of diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), which severely undermine animal health and productivity.
The vaccination initiative is being carried out under the European Union-funded project, “Regional Programme in Livestock and Pastoralism for Climate Change Adaptation in the Eastern/Horn of Africa – PLACE.” The campaign is a collaborative effort involving FAO, MAAIF, and the District Local Governments, aimed at safeguarding livestock assets and strengthening the resilience of pastoral communities.
During the monitoring exercise, officials are assessing critical components of the campaign, including vaccination progress, cold chain management, field coordination, and community engagement.
According to campaign data, the exercise targets a total of 1.2 million goats, 400,000 sheep, and 600,000 cattle across the region.
Significant progress has already been recorded. Reports indicate that 240,000 goats and sheep have been vaccinated against PPR, utilizing doses from the available stock of 275,000. Additionally, 75 percent of the target cattle population have been vaccinated against CBPP, marking a strong start to the immunization drive.
The mission underscores the commitment of the Government of Uganda and development partners to protect critical livestock resources, enhance food security, and build long-term resilience against climate-related shocks in Karamoja.
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