MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE LAUNCHES FREE RABIES VACCINATION DRIVE IN SOROTI

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE LAUNCHES FREE RABIES VACCINATION DRIVE IN SOROTI

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), in collaboration with the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, has launched a three-week mass vaccination campaign against rabies in Soroti District.

The campaign, supported by the E-Rabies Project, was officially launched last week at Kamuda Sub-County headquarters. The initiative aims to vaccinate 2,000 dogs in the district to curb the spread of the deadly disease.

The vaccination drive comes in the wake of a rabies outbreak in Soroti. Last year, Katine Sub-County reported 36 cases of dog bites, leading to the killing of 16 infected dogs. In Kamuda Sub-County alone, 15 people were bitten during the same period.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Peter Wanyama, the Assistant Commissioner of Veterinary Diagnostics and Epidemiology at MAAIF, emphasized the urgent need to address rabies, which is now endemic in the country. He noted that Uganda records an average of 13,000 suspected human rabies cases annually.

“Each year, approximately 332 people and 130 animals die from rabies in Uganda, with 40% of human deaths occurring in children under the age of 15,” Dr. Wanyama revealed.

Dr. Charles Stephen Okadhi, the Soroti District Health Officer, highlighted the challenge of underreporting rabies cases in the health system. “Rabies is 100% fatal if untreated, yet many cases of dog bites go unreported,” he said.

He further disclosed that in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the health system registered 37 dog bite cases through the veterinary department. However, by January 2025 alone, 16 cases were recorded out of a total of 120 reported by the veterinary department.

Dr. David Achoroi, the District Veterinary Officer for Soroti, urged dog owners to take advantage of the free vaccination campaign. He stressed the high cost of treating individuals bitten by rabid dogs and emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical attention after a dog bite.

“Soroti District has an estimated population of 4,350 dogs and an equal number of cats. Owners must ensure their pets are vaccinated and report any suspected cases of rabies promptly,” Dr. Achoroi said.

The mass vaccination campaign is a crucial step in the fight against rabies, a preventable yet deadly disease, as authorities work to protect both human and animal health in Soroti District.

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By Abraham Ekwaru, Communication Officer Soroti