Omoro, Uganda | Residents of Laminonami Village in Omoro District are living in fear after piglets distributed under a livelihood support programme died barely two days after being handed over to beneficiary groups.
The piglets, which were supplied by Save the Children to support household income generation, reportedly began falling sick shortly after distribution before dying in large numbers, leaving beneficiaries worried about the future of the project.
By press time, only four piglets had survived, although residents said they remained weak and appeared unwell.
Robin Ochaya, the chairperson of Rwot Atwero Youth Group, said members were shocked by the sudden deaths and appealed to veterinary authorities and district leaders to intervene before the remaining animals succumb.
He said the losses had left beneficiaries frustrated, as the project was expected to improve livelihoods and boost household incomes.
The area LC1 chairperson John Bosco Owidi confirmed the incident and urged sub-county and district authorities to investigate the matter and establish the exact cause of the deaths.
Owidi said the unexplained deaths had created anxiety among residents, who fear that the disease could spread to other livestock within the community if urgent action is not taken.
Dilish Apio, the chairperson of Ribbe En Teko Oracwa Group, faulted the implementation process, saying the piglets were distributed without adequate support in terms of feeds and vaccination.
She appealed to local leaders and Save the Children to closely monitor the situation and replace the dead piglets to ensure beneficiaries do not lose out on the intended benefits of the programme.
Concern has also been raised over the potential spread of disease to other pigs in the area.
Oscar Atim, chairperson of Rwot Atwero Piggery Group, warned that the suspected disease could affect local pig populations if immediate containment measures are not implemented.
“We are worried because if the disease spreads to other pigs in the village, many farmers could suffer huge losses,” Atim said.
In response, Save the Children Project Coordinator Bonny Oola said the organisation had received reports from the affected groups and had already deployed veterinary specialists to assess the situation.
Oola said efforts were underway to save the surviving piglets and determine the cause of the deaths. He further assured beneficiaries that piglets that had died would be replaced after a technical assessment is completed.
District authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to establish the cause of the deaths and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in future livestock distribution projects.