Regional Leaders Have Convened on Livestock Health

Officials from across East Africa met to develop new strategies for controlling transboundary animal diseases.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Large Animals

Screen-print poster illustration of a wooden watering trough in a dry savanna, symbolizing regional pastoral health efforts. — Agricultural officials from East Africa met in Entebbe this week to finalize a regional strategy for managing transboundary livestock health and trade. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should governments prioritize settled livestock farming over traditional pastoral mobility to control animal disease outbreaks?

Representatives gathered in Entebbe for the 13th Eastern Africa Regional Animal Health Network Annual Meeting to coordinate livestock trade and disease control. The three-day session aims to establish a shared action plan for the Karamoja cluster.

Why it matters

Unpredictable weather patterns currently force farmers to move livestock frequently in search of resources, which increases the risk of disease spread. Coordinated regional efforts help protect herd health and maintain the stability of livestock trade.

The 13th annual regional meeting brings together various organizations, including FAO and WOAH, to address health across the Karamoja cluster. This area spans livestock systems across Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

The players

Bright Rwamirama

The Minister who addressed regional officials on the importance of collaborative animal health strategies.

FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization, which provides expertise on global livestock health and food security standards.

WOAH

The World Organisation for Animal Health, an intergovernmental body responsible for improving animal health worldwide.

The details

Participants are working to finalize a regional communiqué and a comprehensive action plan for disease management. The discussions address the cross-border movement of livestock, which is increasingly volatile due to shifting weather patterns. Additionally, the government is rolling out a targeted infrastructure plan to improve water access for livestock in vulnerable pastoral areas.

The meetings opened in Entebbe on September 23, 2026.
The regional sessions were scheduled for a duration of 3 days.

The Home Front

These regional health initiatives reflect a shift toward collective management of cross-border livestock systems under the East African Community's Protocol on Environment and Natural Resources Management. The strategy represents a departure from fragmented national oversight of animal migration corridors.

Farmers and livestock managers in the Karamoja cluster should monitor regional updates for new guidelines on cross-border disease reporting. Keep records of your livestock health documentation ready to align with forthcoming regional protocols.

The takeaway

Regional cooperation is vital for maintaining herd health when climate instability forces animal movement. Stay informed by tracking the release of the upcoming regional communiqué for new requirements regarding livestock transit.