KAMPALA – Uganda has launched its first locally developed anti-tick vaccine, marking a major step forward in livestock health and disease control across the country.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!President Museveni unveiled the vaccine at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) in Namulonge, Nansana Municipality, signaling a landmark achievement for Uganda’s agricultural and scientific community.
The president commissioned the innovation as a game-changer for millions of farmers, hailing it as a major milestone in the nation’s long battle against devastating tick-borne diseases.
Tick-borne diseases have long been a primary constraint to livestock productivity in Uganda, causing substantial economic losses through animal deaths and reduced milk and meat production.
The President noted that the high cost of imported chemical acaricides has long been a challenge, making the new vaccine, developed entirely by Ugandan scientists at NaLIRRI, a sustainable, homegrown alternative.
He emphasized that the innovation provides a lasting solution to tick-borne diseases, strengthening Uganda’s efforts toward improved animal health and broader agricultural transformation.
“For decades, our farmers have watched their livestock perish and their incomes drain away because of ticks and the diseases they carry. Today, that struggle begins to end. This homegrown vaccine is a shield for our cattle and a key to our prosperity. It proves that when we invest in Ugandan science, we don’t just fight disease, we build a future where our farmers lead, not struggle,” noted the President.
The vaccine’s rollout is expected to reduce dependence on imported chemical tick control methods, which are often expensive, environmentally harmful, and increasingly ineffective due to tick resistance.
Meanwhile, livestock experts at NaLIRRI say the vaccine has undergone rigorous field trials and demonstrated strong efficacy in protecting cattle against common tick species.
The launch marks a proud moment for Uganda’s scientific community, showcasing the country’s growing capacity for homegrown research and innovation.
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