Cabinet has directed government agencies to swiftly travel to Kanungu District in Western Uganda following the outbreak of the deadly anthrax disease, which has claimed three lives and 73 heads of cattle.

On Tuesday, 24 September 2024 minister Hellen Adoa informed the House that Cabinet is alive to the reports of anthrax outbreak and has already directed the agriculture and health ministries to dispatch a team of experts to Kanungu.

“Yesterday, Cabinet directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health to rush to Kanungu. As we speak now, our team is on the ground. Also, we are assembling the headquarters team to join them and one of the things they are going to start with, is to put a quarantine centre because it [anthrax] can spread to other parts of the country,” Adoa said.

This matter was brought to light by Hon. James Kaberuka (NRM, Kinkizi County West) who called out government to dispatch a team to assess the gravity of the health matter.

“As we talk, the mobility of the vets is not defined because they do not have motorcycles, they do not have fuel, they do not have anything and the district is also grappling with funds. So we need support,” Kaberuka said.

The State Minister for Health (General Duties), Hon. Anifa Kawooya, confirmed that indeed the health officials are on ground and the ministry awaits a report from them.

“We are waiting for a report so that we can take a big team from the ministry and as of tomorrow [Wednesday 25 September 2024] and over the weekend, our Director for Health Services will be in Kanungu,” she said.

The Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, called for an inter-ministerial effort to fight the anthrax.

“My request is to the Ministry of Agriculture. We need vaccines to vaccinate the cattle that are not yet affected and also, the district has made the requisition for additional drugs to handle the human side. So both ministries should work with us to ensure that the government is fully on the ground,” Baryomunsi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kinkizi County East, said.

Anthrax is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis found in soil. It affects animals but can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, or contaminated animal products.