By Herbert Musoke
Veterinary practitioners have urged the agriculture ministry to stop the trading off of policy positions at the district level, a practice that is detrimental to livestock.
This was part of the remarks made by the newly elected Uganda Veterinary Association president, Dr Andrew Akashaba, during the handover ceremony at the association’s offices on Buganda Road in Kampala.
He told the agriculture minister that some districts have traded off the district veterinary officer position for other professions.
Akashaba, who replaced Dr Daniel Kasibule as president, was elected alongside Dr Joshua Waiswa as vice-president, Dr David Esera as general secretary, Dr Bill Sseguya Kizito as deputy secretary, Dr Geoffrey Mukama as treasurer and Dr Michael Kiragga as deputy treasurer.
Dr Joseph Amanya, Dr Jackson Twebaze Ndahayo, and Dr Joseph Kagoro were elected as members. Dr Edward Omaido was elected as a council member to the Commonwealth Veterinary Association.
At the same event, the fi rst board of trustees was formed, including both previous association leaders and strong pillars of Uganda’s livestock industry, who will continue to support its growth.
Akashaba noted that the livestock industry currently contributes about 4% to the gross domestic product, thanks to the professional “foot soldiers” known as veterinarians, who have achieved this using limited resources.
However, their roles are often undermined by some political decisions made for short-term political gains, especially in districts where cattle populations are low.
Some leaders mistakenly believe that veterinary services are only necessary in the cattle corridors.
“Due to the decentralisation policy, some political leaders in local governments have opted to sacrifice veterinary positions through a process known as ‘trading off.’ For example, a veterinary officer position is removed from the structure and replaced by a community development officer,” he explained.
Akashaba also pointed out the absence of substantive veterinary district officers in districts, such as Kitagwenda, Buhweju, Butebo and Gulu, which has led to the persistence of livestock diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease and tick infestations. Without proper leadership, the fi ght against these outbreaks is severely hindered.
“We, therefore, request the ministry to strengthen and empower the Uganda Veterinary Association board and council to traverse the entire country in search of these wrongdoers who are killing people’s animals and tarnishing the reputation of the veterinary profession,” Akashaba said.
He commended the ministry for taking steps to review some veterinary legislation, such as the Veterinary Practitioners Act and the Animal Feeds Act, which were recently passed.
“However, their operationalisation has been delayed and wrongdoers are taking advantage of this legal gap to engage in unlawful activities. We, thus, request an expedited process for the operationalisation of these laws through the ministry’s statutory instruments and regulations, as well as a revision of outdated veterinary laws, such as the Animal Diseases Act and the drug regulation policy,” he urged.
Akashaba also cited the dilapidated office structures of the association, which have not been renovated in over 50 years and the lack of transportation, which limits their ability to support the livestock industry.
He called on the ministry to intervene.
Dr Florence Kasirye, the former president of the association and a member of the board of trustees, urged veterinary practitioners to adhere to the regulation of registering and renewing their membership every year, which will ensure the profession remains well-regulated.
Ministry reacts
Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze, accompanied by the animal industry minister, Bright Rwamirama, condemned the practice of trading off veterinary services, saying it undermines the efforts of livestock farmers.
“We must support people in farming, because it is tough work to succeed. The Government has already started enhancing veterinary officers’ salaries. At the sub-county level, they now earn between sh4m and sh4.5m, compared to sh2.5m a year ago,” he said.
Rwamirama promised to have an honest conversation with districts to prevent them from undermining the veterinary profession, adding that chief administrative officers will be held accountable.
“We can’t allow districts to go without a district veterinary officer for over five years. We will fight this practice,” the minister emphasised.
Rwamirama revealed that the ministry is committed to purchasing equipment for extension officers, including vehicles and motorcycles, to ensure that services reach farmers.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Akashaba taking oath as the new president of Uganda Veterinary Association along side his new cabinet.