President Yoweri Museveni has ordered for an investigation into the circumstances that led to importation of fake cattle vaccines into the country. The vaccines were allegedly imported and distributed by a top Ugandan Company, which bagged Shs.6B to procure Foot and Mouth Disease doses. Museveni’s directive came after tit was established that for over two years , livestock farmers especially those from the cattle corridor unknowingly battled Foot and Mouth Disease using fake vaccines.
On Monday, the investigation team, which was headed by Lt. Col Nakalema Edith, the head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit , launched the probe during a meeting at Nakasero state lodge. The Key issue for investigation is How MTK Uganda limited which was contracted by Government to procure 500,000 vaccine doses for FMD for Shs.6B allegedly procured fake vaccines.
On August 25, 2017, the agriculture ministry entered into a contract with MTK for supply of animal vaccines for 2 years. On September 27, last year, according to sources , the Government asked MTK to supply 500,000 doses for FMD disease vaccine within three months. However, MTK was unable to deliver within the agreed period and Government extended the period to May 30. However, out of the 500,000 vaccines, MYK reportedly supplied only 190,000 doses despite the company receiving full payment of Shs.6B. In their bid, MTK submitted a manufacturer’s authorization from M/s KEVEVAPI, who are the original manufacturers of the FMD vaccine.
When the Government crosschecked with KEVEVAPI, the company denied having supplied the vaccines. KEVEVAPI said they had not supplied the vaccines. ‘KEVEVAPI said they had not supplied any vaccines to MTK since December 2017,” sources close to the investigations told New Vision. According to the preliminary investigations, the containers that MTK supplied allegedly contained a ” colored liquid without any trace of the FMD vaccine.”
Sources further say the Kenyan Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute, which runs KEVEVAPI also distanced itself from the procurement. “we have not sold the vaccines to MTK since November 27, 2017. We , therefore , do not have any documentation for the supply that was in May 2019”. Jane Wachira, the Chief executive office of KEVEVAPI told Ugandan Investigators that the vaccines’ packaging was also suspect. “we have scrutinized the packaging materials and our findings are the=at the different form ours,” she said.
Representatives of MTK were reportedly at Police this week to record statements. In their response which New Vision has seen, MTK’s Chief Commercial Officer , Alex Natukunda said ” We were shocked to learn of the claims.” When Fiona Migadde was contacted, the Chief executive officer of MTK Uganda Limited yesterday, She declined to comment.
As the probe intensifies, the Kenya Interpol Bureau has been notified about suspects needed for the questioning. Among the suspects are Kenyan Veterinary doctor. The doctor involved in the matter was fake . HE was fired by the Kenyan government and how he got links with the agriculture ministry in Uganda is till a subject of Investigation'” said a CID detective, adding that , “he bought the vaccines from various shops in Kenya repackaged them and supplied and supplied them to Uganda through the company.” Samples of the fake vaccine have been flown to UK for testing at the World Governing Body for Biologicals, OIE and investigators say the results will be out on Friday.
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