KITGUM, Uganda — Police in Kitgum have initiated an investigation into the mysterious deaths of 60 goats belonging to a local farmer. The deaths occurred shortly after the animals were vaccinated for foot-and-mouth disease by the Kitgum district veterinary department in late July.
The goats, owned by Margaret Langoya, a resident of Twon Okun village in the Mucwini sub-county, reportedly began showing signs of weakness and dying one by one following the vaccination.
Peter Oyesigye, the Kitgum District Police Commander (DPC), confirmed that law enforcement is taking the matter seriously.
Samples from the deceased goats have been sent to the Government Analytical Laboratory in Kampala for testing to ascertain the precise cause of death.
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“We take the case seriously, and will get to the bottom of the cause of death of the goats,” Oyesigye stated.
He added that the loss has a severe impact on Langoya’s livelihood, as the goats were a critical source of income and a vital asset for her family’s well-being.
Authorities are now awaiting the laboratory results to determine whether the vaccination was the cause of death and to establish if any negligence or misconduct occurred during the vaccination process.
