By KT Reporter
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has received Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine manufacturing equipment from the Egyptian government. Brigadier General Dan Kakono, the Commandant of the Field Artillery Division, received the equipment on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Kainerugaba Muhoozi.
Brig Gen Kakono expressed gratitude for the donation, stating, “The received equipment will be instrumental in manufacturing FMD vaccines.” He also commended the Egyptian government, adding, “We applaud the Egyptian government for the generous contribution to our vaccination efforts.” In addition to the equipment, Uganda also received 1.5 million FMD vaccine doses, procured from Egypt.
Brig Gen Kakono and Colonel McDans Kamugira, the CDF’s military assistant, attributed the donation to General Muhoozi’s proactive engagements with Egyptian authorities. Brig Gen Kakono remarked, “This donation is a result of Gen Muhoozi’s proactive engagements with the Egyptian authorities.” The new manufacturing kit follows a previous donation of over two million FMD vaccine doses. According to Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country requires 44 million doses of FMD vaccines annually, with a cost of more than $176 million each year.
The arrival of the vaccines and equipment is seen as a significant boost to Uganda’s vaccination efforts. Colonel Deo Akiiki, the Deputy Army Spokesperson, stated, “The timely delivery of the vaccines follows proactive engagement between the CDF and Egyptian authorities.” He added, “In October, the CDF met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in Cairo, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across various sectors.”
At the reception of the FMD vaccine manufacturing equipment, the Egyptian government was represented by Dr. Ahmed El Kady, Dr. Magdy El Sayed, Dr. Amgad Nagy, and Brigadier General Mohamed Embaby, the Defence Attaché. Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture was represented by Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, the Minister of State for Agriculture.
So far, Uganda has received four consignments of FMD vaccines from Egypt in May, July, and November of this year, amounting to ten million doses. The initial doses have been administered in high-risk areas of the cattle corridor. Minister Kyakulaga remarked, “The final batch and the equipment will help Uganda deal with the FMD problem decisively.”
Both the UPDF and the Ministry of Agriculture praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for facilitating the arrangement with Egypt to ensure the timely delivery of the vaccines and equipment. Kyakulaga also thanked the CDF for championing the strong cooperation and good relations between Uganda and Egypt, saying, “We thank the CDF for championing the cooperation and good relations between Uganda and Egypt.”-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
