Bam Animal Clinics-Uganda: helping donkeys, 2026
In 2026, with AKI support, Bam Animal Clinics has helped many donkeys in Uganda through their free community vet clinics and humane saddle making trainings, all supported by Animal-Kind International. Our last post described their work in February 2026 and this AKI Blog post looks at April onward.
Bam's April clinics took place in Kaptanya Subcounty in Kapchorwa District (eastern Uganda), an area with many donkeys. The Bam team went from house to house to help reach as many donkey owners as possible in these remote communities.
Most of the donkeys checked by the Bam team had health issues ranging from poor body condition, bruises, poor gait, rough skin, and poor hoof condition. The Bam team de-wormed donkeys, treated them for ectoparasites, filed hooves, treated skin conditions, and advised owners how to improve on their donkeys' poor condition.
Among the more serious cases treated by the Bam team were maggot infestations and a prolapse. The larvae of the miasis fly had severed the entire outer ears of this donkey, and thousands of flies were in and around the ear.
The donkey was anxious and uncomfortable. The Bam team prioritized this donkey and quickly treated the ears by cleaning and applying a larvicide, while explaining to the owner how to keep the animal in better condition.
The Bam vet treated the donkey with a prolapse and advised the owner to allow the donkey to rest until fully recovered,
During their visit to the area, the Bam team also trained donkey owners to make humane sisal saddles. The saddles use locally available sisal sacks, padded with old clothing and, where appropriate, dry grass to provide cushioning. These properly designed saddles help distribute weight evenly, reduce wounds and pressure sores, improve donkey welfare, and increase the animals' ability to work safely and comfortably.
The Bam team found that in this area, many local school children were interested in learning about animal welfare, so they held education sessions at a local school
In July, the Bam Animal Clinics team traveled to Kween District in the Mount Elgon region to hold community donkey welfare clinics. Bam's local teams had carried out extensive community mobilization, encouraging donkey owners from surrounding villages to attend the clinics.
The first destination was Kere Village in Kere Parish, Tuikat Subcounty, located high in the rugged mountainous landscape near the foothills of Mount Elgon.
Bam provided vet care for more than 200 donkeys in Kere Village. One donkey had severely swollen eyelids and excessive tearing from both eyes.
Many donkeys had overgrown and poorly maintained hooves, conditions that can cause pain, reduced mobility, and poor work performance. The Bam veterinary team trimmed and shaped hooves, significantly improving the animals' comfort, movement, and overall welfare.
As always, Bam combined vet care with training in humane sisal saddle-making, fitting, and maintenance.
Following the successful donkey welfare clinic in Tuikat Subcounty, the Bam Animal Clinics team continued its outreach to Kaptoyoy Subcounty, another remote and mountainous community in the Mount Elgon region. Upon arrival, they found many donkey owners and their animals already gathered, having patiently waited since early morning to receive veterinary services.
One donkey had sustained a head injury, believed to have resulted from fighting with another donkey. The Bam team thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the wounds. Several other donkeys were suffering from painful back sores caused by poorly designed saddles or by carrying heavy loads without any protective padding. All animals were treated and Bam and the donkeys owners discussed preventative care.
In September, after three days of community mobilization by local veterinary contacts, the Bam Animal Clinics team traveled to Kortek Subcounty, Bukwo District, for the first day of donkey welfare outreach. Two clinic sites were covered that day with 91 donkeys in attendance, 70 of whom received treatment, including 13 hoof-trimming procedures and 31 wound/harness-related cases treated; and 80 owners received welfare and handling advice.
Community members reported that donkey numbers in the area had decreased, in part because donkeys were being moved to nearby gold-mining areas, where the animals are used to transport ore. Working at gold mines requires carrying heavy loads in difficult terrain, and Bam intends to focus on these areas during future visits.
Next, the Bam Animal Clinics team traveled to Lower Twikat, Kween District, where 136 donkeys received veterinary care at their free community clinics. They treated donkeys with a severe ear injury, eye injuries, injuries from carrying unbalanced, heavy loads, and more.
As always, Bam included a training on humane saddle making, maintenance, and instructions for properly fitting the saddle on a donkey.
Importantly, Bam's services are not limited to animals brought to the clinics since we know that many people don't bother or are unable to attend community clinics, even when they're free of charge. During their travels in the region, the team encountered many donkeys carrying heavy loads with no or minimal padding. The team always stops to help. If possible, they offer humane saddles and re-load the donkeys, demonstrating good, humane practices.
To continue to offer free donkey welfare clinics and humane saddle trainings,
we need your help!
