Scientists from the Botswana Vaccine Institute have agreed to team up with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) to develop a vaccine to combat foot-and-mouth disease in Uganda.

The Botswana Vaccine Institute will collaborate with Ugandan scientists and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to find a solution to foot-and-mouth disease that has posed a challenge to the nation over the years.

This was revealed at a meeting between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Botswana scientists at the State House in Entebbe. The engagement was a follow-up to the bilateral meeting between President Museveni and President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi of Botswana on 22 January 2024, at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, on the sidelines of the Third G77+China Southern Summit.

Scientists at the Botswana Vaccine Institute have already collected samples from cattle affected by foot-and-mouth disease in the cattle corridor and in other parts of the country. President Museveni warmly welcomed Botswana scientists and agreed to the partnership to develop a vaccine for the disease in Uganda.

“The other time, I also discussed with SE Mokgweetsi about animal feed and whether Botswana companies could come here because we have a lot of maize.”

“For example, the other year we produced five million metric tons, but we consumed one million metric tons internally.”

“So if there are companies that want animal feed for local consumption and also for export back to Botswana, they are welcome,” President Museveni said.

Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, informed the President that scientists from the Botswana Vaccine Institute have agreed to partner with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), to develop a vaccine to combat foot-and-mouth disease in Uganda.

“In our discussions, they agreed on the idea that they could partner with us, NARO, to develop their own vaccine.”

“They are now producing Southern Africa, so they believe they can also help us produce for East Africa,” said Tumwebaze.

Tumwebaze also said they convinced the Botswana delegation to buy milk from Uganda, explaining that it is of high quality. Mr. Andrew Madeswi, CEO of the Botswana Vaccine Institute, said the sample collection mission has been achieved, the next step is to test the samples and the final results of the report will be available by March 29, 2024.

The Technical Director of the Botswana Vaccine Institute, Mr Mokganedi Mokopasetso, said that while collecting the samples, they visited three districts in the western part of the country and three districts in the eastern part of the country.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Judith Nabakooba, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Bright Rwamirama, Minister of State for Animal Industry.

Also present were Ambassador Paul Amoru, High Commissioner of Uganda to South Africa and Maj. Gen. David Kyomukama Kasura, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, among others.