Every June, the world celebrates Dairy Month, highlighting the vital role of dairy farming in improving nutrition, creating employment, and driving economic growth. In Uganda, the dairy sector supports millions of livelihoods and contributes significantly to the country’s agricultural GDP.
Yet, ticks and tickborne diseases remain a major obstacle to increased productivity and profitability. Through innovative homegrown solutions such as anti-tick vaccines, Uganda is taking important steps towards strengthening cattle health, boosting milk production, and accelerating the development of a more competitive and resilient dairy sector.
The success of these innovations has the potential to enhance farmers’ incomes while contributing to national economic transformation. Tackling a Costly Challenge Ticks continue to pose a significant threat to cattle production in Uganda. They transmit diseases such as East Coast Fever, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and heartwater, which result in reduced milk production, increased treatment costs, and cattle deaths. The challenge is further exacerbated by the
growing resistance of ticks to commonly used acaricides, which reduces the effectiveness of conventional tick control methods and increases the cost of livestock management. For dairy farmers, these losses translate into reduced household incomes, lower productivity, and significant economic setbacks.
Recognising this challenge, scientists and researchers have renewed interest in identifying new, alternative, innovative solutions to complement the existing tickcontrol methods. One such breakthrough is the Anti-tick Vaccine (TicVac-U), Uganda’s own candidate anti-tick vaccine, locally developed from proteins derived from local tick species commonly found on cattle.
Uganda’s Innovation for Livestock Health The candidate Anti-Tick Vaccine (TicVac-U) has been developed by scientists in Tick Control Innovations Initiative (TCII) Ltd, a research biotechnology company established in 2025 to advance innovative solutions for tick-borne diseases affecting livestock and public health through vaccines.
This Initiative has received funding from the Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat-Office of the President. The work represents a major step towards reducing dependence on chemical tick-control methods while promoting sustainable livestock production.
Results from the research work on the candidate vaccine demonstrate an efficacy of approximately 86%. Scientists say the vaccine works by interfering with the tick’s reproductive cycle. Once ticks feed on vaccinated animals, most die, leading to a reduction in the tick population. Most die before laying eggs, some lay eggs that don’t hatch, while others, the hatched larvae, don’t survive.
Understanding How the Vaccine Works For farmers to realize the full benefits of the vaccine, all animals must be vaccinated to ensure maximum effectiveness and long-term suppression of tick infestations.
The vaccine should usually be given three times a year. Experts advise farmers to continue using acaricides and other strategic tick-control measures for approximately two months after vaccination. This integrated approach helps control existing tick populations while the
vaccine begins to take effect. Key Facts About the Candidate Antitick Vaccine (TicVac-U) 1. Efficacy: Up to 86% reduction in tick populations observed. 2. Dosage: Three injections administered on Day 1, Day 30, and Day 60, then once yearly. 3. Mode of action: Disrupts tick reproduction and egg viability. 4. Integrated control: Requires continued acaricide use for two months postvaccination, then every 6 months. 5. Target impact: Reduction of East Coast Fever, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. 6. Development approach: Based on proteins derived from local tick species.
Raising Awareness Among Farmers Despite its potential, the anti-tick vaccine remains relatively unknown, particularly among farmers in remote cattle-keeping areas. This knowledge gap highlights the need for increased awareness and farmer education. TCII Ltd. is therefore prioritizing sensitization campaigns targeting cattle farmers, veterinarians, and extension workers.
Through training sessions and community outreach programmes, the organization aims to promote understanding of the vaccine’s benefits, proper administration procedures, and best practices for tick prevention.
Empowering extension workers and veterinary professionals with accurate information will be essential in supporting adoption and ensuring that farmers make informed decisions regarding livestock health management. Strengthening Uganda’s Dairy Future The development of TicVac-U also reflects Uganda’s growing investment in science, innovation, and agricultural transformation.
The Research and Development Facility at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, a key partner in the initiative, is already operational and supporting the
production of the candidate vaccine for preclinical and clinical trials. As Uganda works towards achieving its development goals and expanding its agricultural economy, innovations that improve livestock health will play an increasingly important role.
With Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product projected to reach USD 88.2 billion by 2040, strengthening the dairy sector through science-driven solutions could contribute significantly to economic growth, food security, and household incomes.
This June Dairy Month, TICVAC-U stands as a testament to the power of local innovation in addressing long-standing challenges in livestock production. By reducing the burden of ticks and tick-borne diseases, the vaccine has the potential to improve dairy productivity, enhance farmer livelihoods, and secure a healthier future for Uganda’s cattle industry
