Uganda’s animal welfare authorities have reportedly banned the sale of meat in the capital, Kampala, to curb an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease affecting animals.
“Movement of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and their products and by-products from, to, through and within Kampala Capital City Authority, Kampala District, is prohibited until further notice,” the Ministry of Livestock Industry said.
In a letter cited by several local media outlets, & Fisheries said: “Livestock markets, slaughter places, including butcheries, loading grounds and animal shows in the entire district is hereby closed with immediate effect.”
The letter was dated March 1 but was received by Kampala authorities on Thursday.
This is reported by the private newspaper Daily Monitor.
City officials told the paper they were working with other authorities to enforce quarantine measures, but local media reported that the city’s butcher shops were still open.
Highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease causes fever and painful blisters in the mouth and under the hooves and can be fatal in young animals.