The Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Lt. Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama, inaugurated the first members of the Uganda Veterinary Council (UVC), marking a renewed era of professionalism and ethics within the country’s Veterinary industry. The ceremony held at MAAIF’s headquarters in Entebbe signified both continuity and reform in support of new commitments.
Speaking at the event, the Minister revealed that the formal regulation of the veterinary profession in Uganda began with the enactment of the Veterinary Surgeon Act. Gap. 277, 1958, the Act established the Uganda Veterinary Board as an autonomous statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), mandated to determine practice in the country.
“The Act upto 2027 has been since repealed and replaced by the Veterinary Practitioners Act No.7, which modernises the governance and regulation of the veterinary profession section One of the Act provides that it shall come into force on a date appointed by the Minister, and I’m therefore happy and honoured that we are inaugurating you today, because there has been a gap,” he said.
In addition, Hon Rwamirama encouraged the Uganda Veterinary Council members to ensure compliance with the laws and veterinary profession regulations and support government policies in the veterinary industry.
“You have a huge task to compete, to put up standards so that Uganda can compete favorably with other players in the annual industry markets, especially in the export market, Among them is meat inspection, animal cruelty, and also the vital practice, practitioners, because we have widened now we have now paramedics on board,” he noted.
The Minister concluded with an assurance of the Ministry’s support towards the council, saying, “Whatever we do is a program approach. We work together, and all our agencies have signed an MOU to collaborate on major issues, especially where both of them are stakeholders and need each other I remain your chief mentor and advocate as we build Council into a great growth, efficient and self-sustaining regulator, a regulator around Uganda’s agriculture transformation agenda. I will be behind you and it’s my good luck that I come back, then we shall celebrate the continuity.”
In his inaugural address, Dr Halid Kirunda, the new chairperson, saluted the Uganda Veterinary Board for its devotion and service that laid the foundation upon which this new council now stands.
Kirunda appreciated the UVC members’ willingness to work with and support him on this leadership journey and pledged that his leadership will be consultative, transparent and grounded in teamwork.
He further highlighted that they hope to work very closely, or probably in partnership, with any MOU with the National Drug Authority (NDA) to ensure that license operations can be undertaken jointly with the Uganda Veterinary Council staff so that compliance can now be optimally achieved, hence limiting the misuse of drugs in this country.
Among other newly appointed members is Dr James Kakungulu representing the Commissioner responsible for animal health, Dr Savino Biryomumaisho for veterinary schools, faculties or universities recognised by the council, Dr Caroline Asiimwe for Uganda Veterinary Association, Dr Michael Muwonge, Balam Fred Okwera, Nelly Isyangi Ajangale, Dr Patrick Atimnedi, and Dr Alice Hope Banga.
In accordance with Section 29(4) of the Veterinary Practitioners’ Act No. 7 of 2024, and following Cabinet approval under Minute 253 (CT2025), the appointed members of the Uganda Veterinary Council will serve for a period of four years.
Their duties are contained in Section 33 of the Veterinary Practitioners Act, 2024, and they will be provided with facilitation as may be necessary for the execution of their duties as provided for in Section 37 of the Act.
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