By Denish Ongora
KITGUM. Cattle farmers in Kitgum District are beginning to see renewed hope following the rehabilitation of a key livestock dip tank by the Jimmy Akena Foundation, as leaders and farmers say could significantly curb tick-borne diseases and boost cattle productivity.
The dip tank, located in Kelpolo Village, Pobech Parish, Mucwini East Sub-county, had long fallen into disrepair despite being originally constructed in 1971 during the presidency of Milton Obote.
For years, farmers struggled with costly and often ineffective tick control methods, leaving livestock vulnerable to disease and death.
Addressing journalists at Vegas Motel, Kitgum Municipality, Jimmy Akena, president of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), said the initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen Uganda’s livestock sector.
“We are not only fighting ticks and disease, but also improving the quality of cattle in Uganda for export,” Akena said, underscoring the economic potential tied to healthier herds.
Local authorities have welcomed the development, describing it as both timely and transformative. Oola Courage Allan, the District Communications Officer, noted that among the three dip tanks in Kitgum, the rehabilitated facility is currently the only one functioning effectively.
“This intervention comes at a critical time when farmers have been battling persistent livestock diseases with limited support,” he said.
At the dip tank site the community who brought their cattle for the first dipping on Tuesday, and leaders who went to witness dipping again after a long period of time are already laying plans to ensure the sustainability of the facility.
Mucwini East LC3 Chairperson, Odong Richard Habert, said structured management systems, including user guidelines, cost-sharing mechanisms, and infrastructure improvements such as fencing will be introduced to safeguard the dip tank from misuse and ensure long-term benefits.
With more than 10,000 cattle in the sub-county, authorities are also organizing a rotational schedule for parishes to access the facility efficiently.
For farmers like Alice Akec Okee of Likol Central, the impact is deeply personal. She now owns over 19 head of cattle but has already lost six to suspected tick-borne diseases.
“I used to spend a lot of money on accaricides and drugs, yet I still lost animals,” she said. “This dip tank gives us a real chance to protect our livestock.”
Other farmers echoed similar thoughts, pointing to reduced treatment costs and improved herd health as immediate benefits of the project.
However, both leaders and residents emphasize that the success of the initiative will depend on collective responsibility. Farmers have been urged to protect the facility from vandalism and adhere to proper usage guidelines.
The Kitgum project marks the third dip tank rehabilitated by the Jimmy Akena Foundation, following similar efforts in Akokoro (Apac district) and Omoro (Alebtong district). As momentum builds, stakeholders hope such interventions will not only reduce livestock losses but also position Uganda’s cattle industry for stronger participation in regional and international markets.
In a region where livestock is both livelihood and legacy, the revival of a single dip tank is proving to be more than infrastructure, it is a lifeline.
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