Uganda Act or statute

Parliament of Uganda

Animal Diseases Act

Jurisdiction: Uganda
Structure: 29 provisions
Citation: Chapter 38
Dates: Undated source snapshot

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Dates: Undated source snapshot

Source attribution: Source: Uganda Legal Information Institute

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Purpose and legislative effect

“This section provides definitions for terms used in the Act, including "animals", "carcass", "cattle", "disease", "fodder", "inspecting officer", "litter", "poultry", "stock" and "veterinary officer".”

This section provides definitions for terms used in the Act, including "animals", "carcass", "cattle", "disease", "fodder", "inspecting officer", "litter", "poultry", "stock" and "veterinary officer". Anyone who possesses or is in charge of an animal that is diseased or suspected of being diseased must (1) keep it separate from other animals, (2) tie it up or place it in an enclosed place, and (3) notify the nearest administrative, veterinary, or inspecting officer. Veterinary officers notified of animals affected or suspected of disease must take steps to determine the disease and, if satisfied it exists, immediately report to the commissioner of livestock and entomology. An administrative officer in charge of a district or area must, on being satisfied that a disease affecting stock exists in the district or area, forthwith notify all owners and occupiers of farms and owners of stock in the neighbourhood. Administrative or veterinary officers may order the slaughter of animals that are diseased, suspected of disease, have been in contact with diseased animals, or otherwise exposed to infection or contagion.

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Interpretation - Interpretation

Section 1

Powers of officers - Power to restrict slaughter

The commissioner of livestock and entomology may prohibit the slaughter of cattle for food and the sale of meat or carcasses to prevent the spread of disease.

Section 11

Compensation - Compensation to be paid for slaughter

The Government must pay compensation to any person whose animal is slaughtered under this Act, equal to the animal's market value as assessed by a veterinary officer.

Section 15

Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Saving of acts done under Act

The Government and its officers are immune from legal action for acts done in good faith under the Act; generally no compensation is payable for such acts unless the Minister directs otherwise.

Section 22

Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Powers of police saved

Police officers keep any power or authority they would have had despite sections 26, 27 or 28.

Section 29

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Showing 29 of 29 provisions

Provision 20Offence 8Interpretation

Part I

Interpretation

§ 1Interpretation - InterpretationInterpretation

Section Interpretation Section In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— " animals " means all stock , camels and other ruminating animals, cats and dogs, but does not include any other animal, except such as may be declared by the Minister by statutory instrument to be included in the term "animals" for the purposes of this Act; " carcass " means the carcass of an animal and includes part of a carcass and the meat, bones, hide, skin, hoofs, horns, offal or other part of an animal separately or otherwise or any portion thereof and butter and ghee; " cattle " means bulls, cows, oxen, heifers and calves; " disease " means cattle plague (rinderpest), anthrax, pleuropneumonia, trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis, foot and mouth disease, rabies, sheep pox, sheep scab, goat scab, goat pox, swine fever, swine erysipelas, glanders, farcy, mange (scabies) in horses, mules and donkeys, dourine, ulcerative lymphangitis, epizootic lymphangitis and blackquarter, but does not include any other disease, except such as may be declared by the Minister by statutory instrument to be included in the term "disease" for the purposes of this Act; " fodder " means hay or other substance commonly used for food of animals ; " inspecting officer " means any person appointed to be an inspecting officer by the commissioner of livestock and entomology by notice in the Gazette ; " litter " means straw or other substance commonly used for bedding or otherwise for or about animals ; " poultry " means all domestic or domesticated fowls, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, peafowl, pheasants, pigeons, ornamental or caged birds; " stock " means cattle , sheep, goats, horses, mules, donkeys, swine and poultry; " veterinary officer " means any person or class of persons declared to be a veterinary officer for the purposes of this Act by commissioner of livestock and entomology by notice in the Gazette .

Section 1

Part II

Steps for checking disease

§ 2Steps for checking disease - Diseased animals to be separated and reportedProvision

Anyone who possesses or is in charge of an animal that is diseased or suspected of being diseased must (1) keep it separate from other animals, (2) tie it up or place it in an enclosed place, and (3) notify the nearest administrative, veterinary, or inspecting officer.

Section Diseased animals to be separated and reported Section Any person having in his or her possession or charge any animal affected with disease or suspected of being affected with disease shall as soon as possible— keep that animal separate from animals not so affected or suspected of being so affected; cause that animal to be tied up or put in a kraal or other enclosed place; and notify an administrative officer or veterinary officer or inspecting officer , whoever is the nearest, of the fact of the animal being affected or suspected of being affected.

Section 2

§ 3Steps for checking disease - Report to be forwarded to the commissionerProvision

Veterinary officers notified of animals affected or suspected of disease must take steps to determine the disease and, if satisfied it exists, immediately report to the commissioner of livestock and entomology.

Section Report to be forwarded to the commissioner Section Any veterinary officer who is notified of any animal being affected or suspected of being affected by disease shall give such directions and take such steps as may be necessary for the purpose of ascertaining the existence and nature of the disease , and he or she shall on being satisfied that the disease exists forthwith report to the commissioner of livestock and entomology.

Section 3

§ 4Steps for checking disease - Farmers to be notified of outbreakProvision

An administrative officer in charge of a district or area must, on being satisfied that a disease affecting stock exists in the district or area, forthwith notify all owners and occupiers of farms and owners of stock in the neighbourhood.

Section Farmers to be notified of outbreak Section An administrative officer in charge of a district or area shall, on being satisfied as to the existence within his or her district or area of a disease affecting stock, forthwith cause all owners and occupiers of farms and owners of stock in the neighbourhood to be notified of the disease .

Section 4

§ 5Steps for checking disease - SlaughterProvision

Administrative or veterinary officers may order the slaughter of animals that are diseased, suspected of disease, have been in contact with diseased animals, or otherwise exposed to infection or contagion.

Section Slaughter Section Any administrative officer or veterinary officer may cause to be slaughtered any animal affected or suspected of being affected by any disease or any animal which has been in contact with a diseased animal or has been otherwise exposed to the infection or contagion of disease .

Section 5

§ 6Steps for checking disease - Carcasses to belong to the GovernmentProvision

When an animal is slaughtered under the Act its carcass belongs to the Government.

Section Carcasses to belong to the Government Section Where an animal has been slaughtered under this Act or any rule, order or direction under the Act, its carcass shall belong to the Government and shall be buried or sold or otherwise disposed of under such conditions as an administrative or veterinary officer may think fit; and any proceeds of the sale shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Section 6

Part III

Powers of officers

§ 10Powers of officers - Power to prohibit exhibitions, etc.Provision

The commissioner of livestock and entomology may prohibit exhibitions of stock or the sale of stock in markets or private yards to prevent disease.

Section Power to prohibit exhibitions, etc. Section The commissioner of livestock and entomology may, for the purpose of preventing the spread of any disease , prohibit in any place the holding of any exhibition of stock, or the sale of stock in open markets or in private sale yards.

Section 10

§ 11Powers of officers - Power to restrict slaughterProvision

The commissioner of livestock and entomology may prohibit the slaughter of cattle for food and the sale of meat or carcasses to prevent the spread of disease.

Section Power to restrict slaughter Section The commissioner of livestock and entomology may, for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease , prohibit in any place the slaughter of cattle for food and the sale of meat or carcasses or of any part of the meat or carcasses.

Section 11

§ 12Powers of officers - Powers of entryProvision

Any veterinary officer or inspecting officer may enter lands, buildings, vehicles or places containing (or suspected of containing) animals or animal products and may examine them to check for disease or compliance with cleansing and disinfection directions.

Section Powers of entry Section Any veterinary officer or inspecting officer may enter any lands, building, shed, place, carriage, van or truck containing, or suspected to contain or used for the purpose of containing or carrying animals , carcasses, hides, skins, hair, wool, butter, ghee, litter , dung or fodder and may examine the same and any animals , carcasses, hides, skins, hair, wool, butter, ghee, litter , dung, or fodder found therein for the purpose of ascertaining whether any such animal is suffering from any disease or whether any such animal, carcass , hide, skin, hair, wool, butter, ghee, litter , dung or fodder is capable of transmitting any disease or for the purpose of ascertaining whether any rules, orders or directions in respect to the cleansing and disinfection of the building, shed, place, carriage, van or truck made or given under this Act have been properly carried out.

Section 12

§ 13Powers of officers - Power to inspectProvision

Owners or persons in charge of animals or specified animal products must produce them for inspection when asked by a veterinary or inspecting officer.

Section Power to inspect Section The owner or person in charge of any animals , carcasses, hides, skins, hair, wool, butter, ghee, litter , dung or fodder shall produce the same for inspection when called on to do so by any veterinary officer or inspecting officer .

Section 13

§ 14Powers of officers - Power to carry out requirementsProvision

Specified officers may cause a required act to be done at the expense of a person who fails to comply.

Section Power to carry out requirements Section Where any person is required by this Act or by any rule, order or direction lawfully made or given under it to do any act or thing and fails to comply with the requirement, any administrative officer, veterinary officer , inspecting officer or police officer may cause the act or thing to be done at the expense of the person so failing.

Section 14

§ 7Powers of officers - Burial, etc. of carcasses, etc.Provision

If an animal dies of disease, any veterinary officer or inspecting officer may give directions about burying, destroying or disposing of the carcass and related materials.

Section Burial, etc. of carcasses, etc. Section Where an animal dies of disease any veterinary officer or inspecting officer may give directions with reference to the burial, destruction or disposal of the carcass , hide, skin, hair, wool, litter , dung or fodder .

Section 7

§ 8Powers of officers - Power of inoculation, disinfection, etc.Provision

Any veterinary officer may at any time require any animal to be examined, inoculated, sprayed, dipped, washed or otherwise disinfected or to undergo quarantine if the officer considers it necessary to prevent disease spread.

Section Power of inoculation, disinfection, etc. Section Any veterinary officer may at any time require any animal to be examined, inoculated, sprayed, dipped, washed or otherwise disinfected or to undergo a period of quarantine if he or she considers the same to be necessary in order to prevent the spread of disease .

Section 8

§ 9Powers of officers - Power to carry out blood testsProvision

Any veterinary officer may take blood smears from any animal or apply other tests to detect or diagnose disease.

Section Power to carry out blood tests Section Any veterinary officer may, for the purpose of detecting or diagnosing disease , take or cause to be taken from any animal blood smears, or apply such other tests as he or she may consider necessary.

Section 9

Part IV

Compensation

§ 15Compensation - Compensation to be paid for slaughterProvision

The Government must pay compensation to any person whose animal is slaughtered under this Act, equal to the animal's market value as assessed by a veterinary officer.

Section Compensation to be paid for slaughter Section Subject to section 16 , any person whose animal is slaughtered under this Act shall be paid compensation by the Government of an amount equal to the market value of the animal as assessed by a veterinary officer.

Section 15

§ 16Compensation - Where compensation may be withheldProvision

Compensation for animals slaughtered may be wholly or partially withheld where the owner or person in charge has breached the Act or related rules, and no compensation is payable if the animal was diseased when imported, became affected before inspection at the port or place of entry, or was imported in breach of the Act or related rules.

Section Where compensation may be withheld Section Compensation in respect of any animal slaughtered under this Act may be wholly or partially withheld where the owner or person in charge of the animal has been guilty of any breach of this Act or of any rule, order or direction made or given under it, and no compensation shall be payable in respect of any animal slaughtered if the animal was affected by disease when imported into Uganda or became affected before it was passed by the inspecting officer , if any, at the port or place of entry into Uganda, or if the animal was imported into Uganda in breach of this Act or of any rule, order or direction made or given under this Act.

Section 16

Part V

Infected areas

§ 17Infected areas - Minister may declare infected areasProvision

The Minister may, by statutory order at any time, declare any area within Uganda to be an infected area; in urgent cases the commissioner of livestock and entomology may provisionally declare an area infected pending that order.

Section Minister may declare infected areas Section The Minister may at any time by statutory order declare any area within Uganda to be an infected area for the purposes of this Act. Notwithstanding subsection (1), in cases of urgency the commissioner of livestock and entomology may declare any area provisionally infected pending such order and upon that declaration sections 18 and 19 shall immediately apply to the area.

Section 17

§ 18Infected areas - Rules for infected areasProvision

Officials in charge may require isolation, movement, or branding of animals in infected areas; persons are prohibited from leaving without required precautions.

Section Rules for infected areas Section The following provisions shall, in the absence of other provision made by rules under this Act, apply to all infected areas— no stock or carcass shall be moved in or from any such area without the written permission of the commissioner of livestock and entomology or the veterinary officer or inspecting officer in charge of the area; no other animal or carcass shall be moved from any such area unless previously disinfected in the manner directed by the veterinary officer or inspecting officer in charge of the area, if that officer shall order disinfection; all stock in the area shall be herded as far as possible from any public road; the commissioner of livestock and entomology or the veterinary officer or inspecting officer in charge of the area may require the owner or person in charge of any animal or animals within the area to isolate the animal or animals from other animals within the infected area or to move the animal or animals in or from the infected area to such other place as he or she may direct within a stated period; the commissioner of livestock and entomology or the veterinary officer or inspecting officer in charge of the area may cause any animal or carcass in the area to be branded with such mark as he or she may think fit; no person shall leave any such area without having complied with such precautions for preventing the spread of disease as may be required by the veterinary officer or inspecting officer in charge of the area; the carcasses of all animals dying from disease shall forthwith be either buried at a depth of not less than four feet below the surface of the ground or burnt at the expense of the owner if so directed by a veterinary officer.

Section 18

§ 19Infected areas - Negligently allowing escape from infected areaProvision

Any person negligently allowing an animal to escape from an infected area shall be deemed, for the purposes of section 18 , to have moved the animal from the area.

Section Negligently allowing escape from infected area Section Any person negligently allowing an animal to escape from an infected area shall be deemed, for the purposes of section 18 , to have moved the animal from the area.

Section 19

Part VI

Rules

§ 20Rules - RulesProvision

The Minister may make rules to prevent the introduction and spread of disease in or from Uganda and to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act.

Section Rules Section The Minister may make rules for the prevention of the introduction into and spread of disease in or from Uganda and generally for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Act.

Section 20

§ 21Rules - Some purposes for which rules may be made specifiedProvision

Section 21 lists specific matters that rules made under section 20 may cover, including control, movement, import/export, quarantine, cleansing and disinfection, dipping, disinfection of persons and vehicles, fees and cost recovery, and powers related to animals and animal products.

Section Some purposes for which rules may be made specified Section Rules made under section 20 may include, among other matters, rules for all or any of the following purposes— the control, detention, custody, isolation, inoculation, disinfection, removal or slaughter of animals suffering or suspected to be suffering from any disease , or of any animals exposed to infection, or of any animals or any particular species of animals especially liable to become infected with any disease ; the burial, destruction or disposal of carcasses; prescribing ports and places for the importation into or the exportation from Uganda of animals , carcasses, hides, skins, hair, wool, litter , dung or fodder ; prohibiting or regulating the movement of animals , carcasses, hides, skins, hair, wool, butter, ghee, litter , dung or fodder within Uganda; prescribing quarantine for imported animals or diseased animals or animals suspected of disease , or animals which have been in contact with animals suffering from disease , or for animals or any particular species of animals especially liable to become infected with disease ; prohibiting or regulating the importation into or the exportation from Uganda of animals , carcasses, hides, skins, hair, wool, litter , dung or fodder , and prescribing the conditions under which that importation or exportation may take place; prescribing the cleansing and disinfection of buildings and places in which animals have been stalled or in which hides, meat, offal and litter have been kept; prescribing the cleansing and disinfection of public markets, private auction or sale yards, railway premises, railway vans, trucks or carriages in which any animal shall have been placed, kept or carried; providing for the periodical dipping of animals ; prescribing the disinfection of persons and their clothing and personal effects coming into contact with or employed about animals suffering or suspected to be suffering from disease or being in an infected area; prohibiting or regulating the movement of vehicles into, through or out of areas in which tsetse flies (glossinae) are known to exist and directing and providing for the disinfection of vehicles which have passed through such areas and directing and providing for the disinfection of persons, whether travellers in vehicles or otherwise, who have passed through such areas; prescribing fees and charges for the examination, inoculation, testing, disinfecting or slaughtering of animals and for the feeding and stabling of animals detained in quarantine and providing generally for the payment and recovery of expenses incurred by the Government under this Act. Nothing in this section shall limit or shall be construed so as to limit the powers conferred upon the Minister by section 20 .

Section 21

Part VII

Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties

§ 22Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Saving of acts done under ActOffence

The Government and its officers are immune from legal action for acts done in good faith under the Act; generally no compensation is payable for such acts unless the Minister directs otherwise.

Section Saving of acts done under Act Section No action shall lie against the Government or any officer of the Government for any act done in good faith under this Act or any rule, order or direction made or given under this Act, and, except as hereinbefore provided, no compensation shall be payable to any person for any act done under this Act, unless the Minister otherwise directs.

Section 22

§ 23Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - ObstructionOffence

Anyone who obstructs, impedes, or assists to obstruct or impede a person lawfully performing duties under the Act commits an offence; a police officer may arrest without warrant.

Section Obstruction Section Any person obstructing or impeding or assisting to obstruct or impede a person in the lawful exercise of his or her duties under this Act commits an offence under this Act and may be arrested without warrant by a police officer.

Section 23

§ 24Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Improperly altering permitsOffence

Anyone who improperly alters a permit commits an offence.

Section Improperly altering permits Section Any person improperly altering a permit given under this Act or under any rules made under this Act commits an offence under this Act.

Section 24

§ 25Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Offences and penaltiesOffence

Anyone guilty of an offence under this Act, breach of the Act or rules, or failing to comply with lawful rules, orders or directions is liable to up to 12 months' imprisonment, up to a fine of 6,000 shillings, or both.

Section Offences and penalties Section Any person guilty of an offence under this Act or committing any breach of the Act or of any rules made under it or failing to comply with any rule, order or direction lawfully made or given under the Act is liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding six thousand shillings or to both such imprisonment and fine.

Section 25

§ 26Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Detention and arrestOffence

Officers (administrative, veterinary or police) may, without warrant, stop and detain a person seen committing or suspected of committing the offence described in section 25; if the person's name and address are not known and not satisfactorily given, the official may arrest without warrant; a non-police official who arrests must promptly hand the offender to a police officer or, if none is available, take them to the nearest police station.

Section Detention and arrest Section Where a person is seen or found committing or is suspected of being engaged in committing an offence or breach as described in section 25 , an administrative, veterinary or police officer may, without warrant, stop and detain him or her; and if his or her name and address are not known to the official, and he or she fails to give them to the satisfaction of the official, the official may arrest him or her without warrant. Where the official arresting is not a police officer, he or she shall without unnecessary delay make over the offender to a police officer, or, in the absence of a police officer, take the offender to the nearest police station.

Section 26

§ 27Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Seizure of animals, etc.Offence

Veterinary, police or inspecting officers may seize, examine, order return, remove and detain suspected animals or related items; the official must report seizures and detentions to a magistrate with all practicable speed.

Section Seizure of animals, etc. Section A veterinary officer or police officer or inspecting officer may seize and examine any animal, carcass , hide, skin, vehicle, boat or thing with regard to which he or she suspects that any such offence or breach as described in section 25 has been or is being committed and may order it to be taken back forthwith to or into any area or place from which it may be suspected to have been unlawfully removed, or he or she may remove the same to any pound, enclosure or other place selected by a veterinary officer and there detain it subject to the orders of a magistrate. Any seizure and detention made under this section shall, with all practicable speed, be reported by the official making it to a magistrate having jurisdiction in the area within which the seizure has been made.

Section 27

§ 28Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Forfeiture on convictionOffence

Courts and magistrates may order animals or things forfeited in certain offences; magistrates may order forfeiture when seized and owner cannot be found but only after the owner (if known) has had an opportunity to appear; owners may be required to pay reasonable detention and removal costs, failing which forfeiture may follow; the Minister may direct disposal of forfeited items and proceeds go to the Consolidated Fund.

Section Forfeiture on conviction Section Whenever any person has been convicted of an offence or breach as described in section 25 , the court convicting the person may in addition to or in lieu of imposing any other punishment authorised by law order that the animals or things or any of them in respect of which the offence or breach has been committed shall be forfeited. Whenever it is reported to a magistrate that any animal or thing has been seized and detained under section 27 but that the person who is alleged to have committed an offence or breach in respect of the animal or thing is unknown or cannot be found, the magistrate may, if satisfied by evidence on oath that there is reason to believe that the offence or breach has been committed, order the animal or thing to be forfeited; but no order shall be made unless the owner, if his or her name and whereabouts are known, of the animal or thing shall have had an opportunity of appearing before the magistrate to show cause why the order should not be made. A magistrate, whenever he or she is satisfied that there is reason to believe that an offence or breach as described in section 25 has been committed in respect of any animal or thing seized and detained under section 27 may order that its owner shall pay to the commissioner of livestock and entomology such sum as he or she may consider reasonable to cover the expenses connected with the removal of the animal or thing to the place of detention and, in the case of an animal, the cost of its keep during the detention and that unless the sum is paid within a time to be specified in the order the animal or thing shall be forfeited. Whenever any animal or thing is forfeited under this Act, it shall be slaughtered, sold or otherwise dealt with as the Minister may by any general or special order direct, and the proceeds of sale, if any, shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Section 28

§ 29Legal proceedings, and offences and penalties - Powers of police savedOffence

Police officers keep any power or authority they would have had despite sections 26, 27 or 28.

Section Powers of police saved Section Nothing in sections 26 , 27 or 28 shall take away or abridge any power or authority that a police officer would have had if the sections had not been enacted.

Section 29

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Government for any act done in good faith under this Act
Section 22

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