School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR) Collection
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ItemGross lesions and economic losses associated with meat condemnation in cattle and small ruminants at Hoima City slaughterhouse(Makerere University, 2026)Abattoir inspection and surveillance is a ready source of valuable information on the incidence and epidemiology of animal diseases that are both of public and animal health importance. This information is important in preventing spread of such diseases and promoting food safety, which consequently leads to cases of meat/ livestock being condemned, bearing economic and food security implications. This study was conducted on cattle and small ruminants slaughtered at Hoima City slaughterhouse and its aim was to identify the major gross lesions and evaluate the economic losses associated with meat condemnation. It was done by conducting a survey which included all livestock slaughtered in the month of January 2026 i.e. 548 cattle, 520 goats and 110 sheep. The study revealed that liver was the most condemned organ in all species with a rate of 57.5% (315/548) in cattle, 26.5% (138/520) in goats and 38.2% (42/110) in sheep. The leading cause of liver condemnation in cattle was fascioliasis with 26.3% (144/548) while in goats and sheep it was hepatitis with 11.9% (62/520) and 18.2% (20/110) respectively. Other gross lesions that caused condemnation were pneumonia (9.7%, 14.2% and 19.1% in cattle, goats and sheep respectively), blood aspiration in lungs, hepatic abscesses (11.1% in cattle), muscle bruising in cattle (34.9%). The total economic loss associated with meat condemnation during the study period for each species was as follows; UGX 18,300,600 in cattle, UGX 3,124,400 in goats and UGX 939,700 in sheep. The study results showed that there was significant meat condemnation resulting in heavy losses cumulatively, which implied that more efforts are required, both on individual and policy level to undertake measures and techniques to prevent animal diseases, especially those that cause meat condemnation.
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ItemAntimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from local chicken in Bumbobi sub-county, Mbale District(Makerere University, 2026)Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health concern, with Escherichia coli serving as an indicator organism for monitoring resistance in livestock. These study aimed to establish antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Escherichia coli isolates from local chicken Cloacal swabs in Bumbobi Sub County. One hundred fifty seven Cloacal swabs were randomly collected from local chickens however one hundred samples were cultured following standard protocols for a period of three months. Isolates of E. coli were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing on different antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The overall prevalence of E. coli in local chicken was 85.0%. Ampicillin showed highest resistance (89.4%) and least in ciprofloxacin (2.4%), with no statistical significant difference among the antibiotics used in the isolates of E. coli (p> 0.585). However, Multidrug resistance (MDR) of E. coli isolates (10.6%), showed slightly high significance different (p < 0.05). These findings reveal a high burden of AMR in E. coli isolates from fecal samples of local chickens, which poses a risk to animal and public health. Therefore, strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, farmer education on prudent antibiotic use, and continued AMR surveillance are recommended to mitigate the spread of resistant E. coli.
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ItemKnowledge, attitude, and practices regarding foot and mouth disease vaccination among cattle farmers in Mukono Central Division, Mukono District(Makerere University, 2026)This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cattle farmers regarding FMD vaccination in Mukono Central Division, Mukono District. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 158 cattle farmers using a structured questionnaire administered face to face covering, sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of FMD transmission and clinical signs, attitudes towards vaccination, vaccination practices, and barriers to vaccination uptake. All respondents (100%) had heard of FMD and FMD vaccination, The most commonly recognised clinical signs were blisters in the mouth (62.7%), hypersalivation (59.5%). Direct contact with infected animals was the most frequently recognised transmission route. Regarding other susceptible species, most of the farmers knew goats while one quarter did not know other affected species. Only 64 farmers (40.5%) reported that their cattle had been vaccinated, whereas 94 (59.5%) had not. The main reported concerns were vaccination cost and effectiveness. More than half of farmers reported that vaccination services were difficult or very difficult to access, and 66.5% had never received formal training on FMD vaccination or control. All farmers reported that vaccination was conducted only during outbreaks. Vaccination status was significantly associated with farming experience, age, number of cattle owned, knowledge of other susceptible species, perceived vaccine effectiveness, reported vaccination concerns, affordability, accessibility, and response time following disease reporting. The study revealed that while cattle farmers in Mukono Central Division have good general awareness and positive attitudes toward FMD vaccination, actual practice remains low and important gaps in detailed disease knowledge. Vaccination practices were largely outbreak-oriented, while cost, limited access to vaccination services, inadequate training, and concerns about vaccine effectiveness presented important barriers. Addressing these factors through routine farmer education using local languages, practical demonstrations, community-based vaccination campaigns subsiding or farmer-group cost-sharing, and appropriate vaccination schedules. may improve routine vaccination uptake and strengthen sustainable FMD control in Mukono Central Division and similar cattle-producing areas of Uganda.
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ItemPrevalence and host related risk factors of haemonchosis in sheep In Nakapelimoru Subcounty, Kotido District, North Eastern Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)Haemonchus contortus is widely acknowledged as one of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematodes causing significant economic losses in small ruminant production systems. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Nakapelimoru sub-county, Kotido district, North Eastern Uganda to determine the prevalence and associated hostrelated risk factors of haemonchosis in sheep. Fecal samples were collected from 355 randomly selected sheep across three parishes (Kopsang, Kalobor, and Lookorok) and examined using the simple test tube floatation method and coproculture. The overall prevalence of strongyle eggs was 49.58 % (176/355) while the specific prevalence of Haemonchus contortus confirmed via coproculture and larval identification was 25.35 % (90/355). Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test revealed no significant association (P > 0.05) between Haemonchus infestation and host risk factors including sex (P = 0.958), age (P = 0.650) and body condition score (P = 0.841). These findings indicate that Haemonchus contortus is widespread across the sheep population regardless of individual host attributes emphasizing the critical need for broad-based, whole-flock control and prevention strategies within this pastoral system.
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ItemThe prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal nematodes among goats in Lamiyo Subcounty, Agago District(Makerere University, 2026)Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) constraint goat production, particularly in smallholder farming systems. Despite the importance of goats to household livelihoods in Northern Uganda, there is limited information on GIN prevalence, worm burden, predominant nematode types and associated risk factors in Lamiyo subcounty, Agago District. This study determined the prevalence and infestation intensity of GIN, identified predominant nematode types and assessed the associated risk factors of gastrointestinal nematodes among goats in Lamiyo Subcounty, Agago District. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2026 in goats aged six months and above. A total of 224 goats from 54 goat-keeping households were sampled. Information on animal characteristics, housing, grazing durations and deworming history was also collected using a pretested questionnaire to assess potential risk factors. The overall prevalence of GIN infestation was 92.9% and Strongyle-type nematodes were predominant, occurring in 87.1% of goats, followed by Strongyloides spp. at 53.1%. The mean fecal egg concentration (FEC) was significantly higher for Strongyles (646.2 EPG) than for Strongyloides spp. (95.3 EPG). The GIN prevalence did not differ significantly among the four parishes (p > 0.05). However, housing floor type and grazing duration were significantly associated with GIN infestation. Goats kept on raised floors had lower odds of infestation than those housed on earthen floors (aOR = 0.5, p = 0.021), while goats grazing for more than 7 hours per day had lower odds of infestation than those grazing for six hours or less (aOR = 0.3, p < 0.001). The high prevalence of GIN may be attributed to earthen housing floor type and short grazing duration (less than 7 hours). The study demonstrates that GIN are highly endemic and constitute an important constraint to goat health and productivity in Lamiyo Subcounty. Integrated control measures, including strategic and targeted deworming under veterinary guidance and use of slated housing type are recommended. Further studies should identify GIN to species level, assess seasonal variation in worm burden and investigate anthelmintic resistance across Northern Uganda.