African swine fever outbreak sparks pig quarantine in Kalangala, Uganda

Hundreds of pig deaths and the rapid spread of a deadly livestock disease have forced authorities to impose a strict quarantine in Kalangala District of Uganda, raising serious concerns over farmer livelihoods and the risk of further losses. The outbreak of African Swine Fever has led to immediate government intervention aimed at containing the situation.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has confirmed the outbreak following laboratory tests on carcasses and infected pigs. As a result, quarantine restrictions have been enforced across affected sub-counties and surrounding areas within a 20km radius. These measures include a total ban on the movement, sale and purchase of pigs and pig products, alongside the closure of pig markets and loading points.

The District Veterinary Office have directed local enforcement agencies to support veterinary teams in raising awareness and ensuring strict compliance. The move comes amid growing alarm from farmers, many of whom have suffered heavy losses within a short period.
Reports indicate that nearly 350 pigs have died within three weeks, including a significant number of piglets distributed under a government-supported household income initiative. The scale of the losses has intensified concerns about the economic impact on smallholder farmers in the district.

Veterinary officials have warned against any breach of quarantine regulations, noting that legal action may be taken under existing animal disease control laws. Meanwhile, some residents have questioned the source of the outbreak, linking it to the distribution of potentially infected piglets, and highlighting that the district had not recorded such an outbreak in recent times.