A catastrophic outbreak of a highly contagious viral disease known as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly called “goat plague,” has devastated the Kikuube district in western Uganda, wiping out hundreds of goats in a matter of weeks. Local farmers have reported losing more than 400 animals, with the hardest-hit areas being Buhuka, Butoole, and Kyangwali parishes in Kyangwali sub-county. The deaths began early last month, forcing terrified farmers to bury the carcasses as they grew concerned about the safety of eating meat from the infected herds.
PPR is characterized by a rapid onset of severe symptoms including sudden high fever, depression, discharge from the eyes and nose, sores inside the mouth, laboured breathing, coughing, foul-smelling diarrhea, and often rapid death. The virus is highly transmissible, spreading easily through direct contact, airborne droplets, and contaminated feed or water. Although the disease primarily targets goats and sheep, it can also infect other livestock like camels, pigs, and, to a lesser extent, cattle, making its control vital for the wider livestock economy.
Dr. Barnabas Ntume, the Kikuube district veterinary officer, confirmed the scale of the crisis after samples from sick animals were sent to the National Animal Disease Diagnosis and Epidemiology Centre (NADDEC) and tested positive for PPR. In response to the confirmed outbreak, the district immediately launched an emergency mass vaccination program. Dr. Ntume has also issued a crucial warning, strictly advising farmers against moving any goats or sheep from the affected parishes to other sub-counties or neighbouring districts to prevent the deadly virus from spreading further.
The economic impact on the local community is immense. Vincent Okumu, a farmer from Buhuka landing site, stated he has already lost 40 goats and fears for the rest of his flock. In light of the ongoing losses, Emmanuel Bisemeza, the Kyangwali sub-county LC III chairperson, urgently called upon the district veterinary department to accelerate the vaccination drive before the plague can destroy more of the community’s livelihoods. This latest incident is a reminder of past struggles with animal diseases in the region, including a similar mysterious illness that killed over 300 goats in neighbouring Hoima district in July 2025 and earlier PPR outbreaks in 2021 that required mass vaccination to contain.
I can check for more current news on the status of the vaccination efforts and how the outbreak is being managed now.