Government has started mobilizing an emergency fund of over 24 billion shillings to respond to the tick borne disease that has left a number of cows dead in 16 districts across the country.

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda made the directive.

After meeting  with  technical officers from  Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS),Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) ,  Makerere  University  and the ministers  of agriculture, in his office, the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda  told journalists  that   the ministry of agriculture has been asked to work with    these  organizations to tighten the  importation of accaricide drugs to ensure that all  those that enter the country meet the required standards.

Rugunda also directed the ministry of agriculture to work on a new policy for tick control, and present it to cabinet within four weeks.

The directive comes after cattle farmers have complained of the tick resistance after using drugs on the market.

The most affected district include Kiruhura,Mbarara , Isingiro, Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Lyantonde, Sembabule. Rakai, Kiboga ,Luweero among  others.