Farmers in Kalangala district have petitioned the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), protesting the alleged distribution of sick piglets that they say have infected their livestock and caused heavy losses. Last month, the government, through the National Oil Palm Programme (NOPP) under the ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, distributed more than 350 piglets to households that do not have sufficient land for oil palm plantations. However, farmers claim that within a month, more than 270 of the distributed piglets had died from a suspected outbreak of African swine fever, which they believe originated from the supplied animals. Godfrey Ssekanyike, a resident of Mwena Ward in Kalangala town council, said he received two piglets under the programme, but they later infected his entire farm of 14 mature pigs, 11 of which have since died. He said farmers want the RDC’s office to investigate the procurement process, suspecting possible collusion between suppliers and programme coordinators to distribute unhealthy animals. “We suspect there could be a syndicate between suppliers and programme officials to supply sick piglets and swindle funds meant for the project,” Ssekanyike said. He also demanded compensation for farmers who lost their original stock after the alleged outbreak. Gerald Akampa, another affected farmer, said his entire herd of 12 pigs was wiped out after he introduced the two piglets he received under the livelihood improvement programme. “The programme came to help us improve our livelihoods, but it has instead worsened our situation because it has taken away what we already had. The piglets were delivered with the consent of the district veterinary officers after they were examined and deemed appropriate,” he said. Akampa warned that affected farmers could stage protests if authorities fail to compensate them for their losses. Kalangala assistant RDC, Henry Lubuulwa, confirmed receipt of the petition, saying a meeting with concerned parties has been scheduled to determine the next course of action. He added that the district veterinary officer had been instructed to prepare a technical report on the disease that has affected pigs in the area. Meanwhile, National Oil Palm Programme spokesperson Anthony Wanyoto appealed to farmers to remain calm as investigations continue. He said samples had been collected from the affected animals and the results would guide the appropriate response.The post Kalangala farmers protest, reject ‘sickly’ gov’t piglets appeared first on The Observer.