May 20, 2023
“Scientific Breakthrough: Uganda Develops First Locally-Made Anti-Tick Vaccine, Positioning Itself as Regional Veterinary Hub”
In a landmark achievement for East African science, Uganda has launched its first locally developed anti-tick vaccine, NAROVAC-ATV1, marking a major milestone in the fight against tick-borne diseases that cost African livestock farmers billions annually .
On April 30, 2026, Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) unveiled the country’s first recombinant anti-tick vaccine at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NALIRRI) in Namulonge, near Kampala. The event was graced by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who celebrated the innovation with a memorable declaration: “The cow now kills the tick” .
The vaccine, branded NAROVAC-ATV1, is a recombinant product developed using a protein called Subolesin extracted from native tick species found in Uganda. Early research efforts were led by NARO scientist Kasaija Paul as part of his PhD work, conducted under the supervision of Professors Jose de la Fuente and Marinela Contreras at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) in Spain .
How It Works:
When ticks feed on vaccinated cattle, their body functions are impaired, leading to the death of many ticks. This results in significantly reduced tick populations over time—without the environmental damage caused by chemical acaricides .
Production Capacity:
The government invested Shs170 billion (approximately USD 45 million) to establish a production facility that has the capacity to produce up to 36 million doses annually, with current output standing at about 3 million doses per month. So far, 1.5 million doses have been produced, and demand is already emerging from neighbouring countries .
Vaccine Administration:
The vaccine is administered to cattle from one month old, with three initial doses given on day 0, day 30, and day 180, providing protection for up to one year, followed by annual booster doses. It is expected to retail at about Shs10,000 (approximately USD 2.7) per dose, making it affordable for the country’s estimated 16 million cattle farmers .
Why This Matters for East Africa:
- For more than a century, tick control has depended on chemical acaricides, which have led to resistant tick populations, environmental contamination, and destruction of non-target organisms like bees and wild birds .
- The vaccine offers a safer, more sustainable, and cheaper alternative.
- This project positions Uganda as a potential regional hub for veterinary vaccine production, creating hundreds of jobs and reducing reliance on imported vaccines .
NARO Director General Dr. Yonah Baguma described the launch as both a scientific and economic breakthrough, emphasizing that the facility could be the largest anti-tick vaccine production facility in Africa
