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. 2025 Feb 4;14(2):150.
doi: 10.3390/antibiotics14020150.

National-Level Consumption of Antimicrobials in the Veterinary Sector in Uganda: A Report on Analysis of Import Data for 2021

Marion Murungi  1 , Patrick Vudriko  2 , Helen Byomire Ndagije  3 , Diana Nakitto Kesi  3 , Allan Serwanga  3 , Kalidi Rajab  4 , Leonard Manirakiza  5 , John Paul Waswa  1 , Hassan Kasujja  1 , Mark Barigye  3 , Ddembe Kaweesi  1 , Harriet Akello  6 , Juliet Namugambe  7 , Reuben Kiggundu  1   8 , Niranjan Konduri  9
Affiliations

National-Level Consumption of Antimicrobials in the Veterinary Sector in Uganda: A Report on Analysis of Import Data for 2021

Marion Murungi et al. Antibiotics (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobials are crucial for animal health and food security. However, their overuse in animals can lead to the emergence of resistant microorganisms. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global public health threat that impacts both animal and human health. The objective of this study was to estimate the antimicrobial consumption (AMC) of veterinary antimicrobials at the national level using import data from January to December 2021, available from the Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA).

Methods: The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) methodology was applied using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification codes for veterinary medicines.

Results: Approximately 88,387.37 kg (88.39 tonnes) of veterinary antimicrobials were consumed in 2021. Parenteral veterinary antimicrobials accounted for 63.8% (56,375.65 kg) and oral veterinary antibacterials accounted for 36.2% (32,011.71 kg). Tetracyclines were the single most consumed veterinary antimicrobial class, accounting for 62.7% of total consumption. Oxytetracycline was the most consumed antibacterial (58.4%), followed by sulphadiazine + trimethoprim (11.1%), penicillin g/dihydrostreptomycin (7.4%), penicillin G procaine + dihydrostreptomycin (6.8%), and tetracycline (3.5%), respectively. Out of all imported veterinary antimicrobials, 76% belonged to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Highly Important Antimicrobials (HIA) category, 16% to the Critically Important (CIA), and 9% to the Highest Priority Critically Important (HPCIA) categories. Imported colistin accounted for 0.1% of total veterinary consumption.

Conclusions: This study contributes to understanding antimicrobial consumption in Uganda's livestock sector and, for the NDA, leaves in place a system for routine surveillance at a national level. We recommend strict regulatory oversight on the importation and use of colistin and macrolides to address AMR.

Keywords: Africa; Uganda; antimicrobial consumption; antimicrobial resistance; antimicrobial use surveillance; veterinary antimicrobials.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors Helen Byomire Ndagije, Diana Nakitto Kesi, Allan Serwanga and Mark Barigye were employed by the National Drug Authority. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proportions of antibacterials in each WHO classification group. HIA: Highly Important Antimicrobials; CIA: Critically Important Agents; HPCIA: Highest Priority Critically Important Agents.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportions of antibacterials by EU AMEG class.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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