Unknown swine disease triggers heavy losses in Kotido District of Uganda

Pig farmers across Kotido District are facing a worsening economic crisis as a mysterious and highly contagious disease continues to devastate the local swine population. For more than a month, farmers in Nakapelimoru Sub-County and nearby areas have reported pigs losing appetite, becoming weak and eventually dying thereby causing significant financial losses for households that rely heavily on pig farming for income.
‎
‎The outbreak, which farmers say shows symptoms similar to African swine fever (ASF), has spread rapidly through affected communities with farmers watching their animals fall ill and die within a short period of time while the absence of an official diagnosis from veterinary authorities has heightened anxiety and uncertainty.
‎
‎The growing losses have also disrupted livestock trade patterns in the district and in an attempt to avoid total financial ruin, some farmers have rushed to sell pigs before they become sick, resulting in the flooding of local markets with pork. Reports from Nakapelimoru’s weekly market indicate that pork prices have also fallen sharply due to oversupply, with some carcasses being sold at heavily reduced prices and, in certain cases, even on credit.
‎
‎Several farmers described severe financial setbacks. Some have even lost the majority of their pigs and are struggling to protect the remaining few animals, while others estimate their losses in the millions of shillings. The situation has left many feeling powerless as the disease continues to spread.
‎
‎The crisis has also raised concerns over animal disease control and public health, particularly following reports that some sick animals are being slaughtered and sold for consumption. Farmers say they face difficult choices between accepting complete losses or attempting to recover at least part of their investment.
‎
‎Farmers are now appealing to the Kotido District Veterinary Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) for urgent intervention, including laboratory testing to determine the cause of the outbreak and the implementation of appropriate control measures to curb the devastating outbreak.