Authorities in Uganda have reportedly halted the recent ban on meat sales in the capital, Kampala, amid an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Health officials had last week imposed the ban and ordered the closure of all slaughter places to curb the spread of the outbreak.

But Minister for Kampala City and Metropolitan Affairs Minsa Kabanda on Sunday told the Daily Monitor newspaper that the ban had been halted as the government continued to assess the impact of the disease in the capital.

Ms Kabanda however urged people to ensure that animals were tested before being slaughtered.

Traders had opposed the ban and accused the government of failing to prevent the disease from spreading.

Foot-and-mouth disease has been reported in 40 districts across the country, according to the local media.