By Sam Wakhaka
Frustration continues to mount among students and graduates of veterinary medicine at Makerere University following the refusal of the country’s governing board to register and license them.
Documents seen by New Vision indicate that the Uganda Veterinary Board (UVB) suspended the registration of graduates from the Makerere University School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources on grounds of poor training structures.
An April 18, 2023, letter to the principal of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity by the school’s representative to the Guild, Talent Akampulira, says the students have been left in dilemma over their future.
“It is with dismay that it has come to our attention that UVB suspended the registration of Makarerere University veterinary graduates on grounds that there are poor training structures,” Akampulira wrote in a letter also copied to the Deputy Principal and Dean of the school.
“This, as students, leaves us in dilemma and parents are concerned on the same. It is with this background that we call upon you as the college administration to address the students’ fraternity and restore our hope,” the letter further reads.
In an April 19, 2023, circular by the Principal of COVAB, Prof. Frank N. Mwiine, to the students, he informed them that discussions were ongoing to ensure the issue is resolved as soon as possible.
“The Vice Chancellor while appearing before the parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports was concerned that the UVB requested the university management to improve the student training facility,” Mwiine wrote.
According to Mwiie, the university requested the committee to allocate funds for the improvement amounting to about sh52b.
“UVB recently concluded a visit to the college and is yet to issue its visitation report. There are positive developments for the better,” Mwiine said.
Roles of UVB
The roles of UVB include registration of professionals (veterinarians and paraveterinarians) and their premises of practice as well as maintenance of the National Veterinary Register.
Other roles include monitoring and enforcement of standards of veterinary training institutions, practice and professional conduct of veterinary professionals.
UVB also conducts community education (for veterinary professionals and the public) on veterinary professional standards, the code of conduct of veterinary professionals and the consequences of impersonation of veterinary professionals by non-veterinarians.
The board also reviews veterinary-related research and development protocols through membership in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources’ IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) among other roles.
