Luweero Initiative Vaccinates Over 1,000 Dogs Ahead of World Rabies Day

The Luweero District is at the forefront of Uganda’s rabies prevention efforts, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) having administered over 1,000 vaccinations to dogs and cats.

This vaccination drive is a key component of the national observance of World Rabies Week, culminating in the main celebrations on Saturday, September 26, in Luweero. The event will be attended by the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama.

Uganda is participating in World Rabies Week under the theme “Stronger Together: Animal, Human and Environmental Health Sectors Working Together to Eliminate Rabies by 2030.” This highlights the collaborative approach needed to combat the disease.

Rabies remains a serious threat, with government figures indicating 67,393 suspected human animal-bite cases and 190 human deaths recorded between 2022 and 2025. In the same period, over 350 dogs and other domestic animals died from the disease, with MAAIF noting 356 suspected animal deaths, though underreporting is acknowledged.

Flavia Maria Nakanjako, the rabies prevention focal person at MAAIF, emphasized the importance of the free vaccination services for both dogs and cats, urging residents to bring their pets. “Bring your dogs so that we can treat and vaccinate them to prevent them from getting sick and transmitting the disease to people,” she stated.

Beyond vaccinations, the campaign includes free spaying and castration services, aimed at controlling animal populations and further mitigating rabies transmission risks. These services offer a much-needed alternative to private veterinary care, which can be prohibitively expensive for many pet owners.

Residents have expressed gratitude for the government’s initiative, noting the financial burden of private veterinary services. “This is a good service because people do not have enough money for vaccination, and controlling breeding through spaying and castration is also important,” said resident Nabwama Samalie.

The Luweero campaign is part of Uganda’s National Rabies Elimination Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to eradicate human rabies deaths transmitted by dogs by the year 2030.

Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/373721/luweero-vaccinates-more-than-1000-dogs-ahead-of-world-rabies-day