COMMENT | DR  ISMAIL ASIIMWE |  As I seek for the highest office in the Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA), I think it is only proper that I share a glimpse of my past that has shaped my character.

While at Merryland High School Entebbe, I lost generously in a contest to become the students’ chief judge. That did not stop me from guiding the then selected team of leaders until the concerned committee acknowledged that my leadership style was exceptional and finally conceded and had to swear me in as a chief judge.

While at CoVAB, I am remembered for again contesting for the position of the Makerere University Students’ Guild Speaker and was the first College Students’ Guild President at CoVABSA to be elected by all students in the college. Here I am remembered for having negotiated with the principal’s office to open up the first ever students’ office which is up to today being utilized by student leaders in the college. I am also remembered as the very first college president to organize a sports gala and bull roasting where students witnessed the mature bull walk to the college, slaughtered and roasted, there, live.

At UVA, I initially served as a chair of the investment committee with Prof. J.D Kabasa, Prof. Elizabeth Kyiwalabye, Dr. Alice Banga and Dr. Yake Basulira. This committee convened twice both virtually and physically during the COVID-19 lock down in 2020 even without any facilitation. The committee made recommendations on how UVA would utilize the VALOS scheme, Katosi land, the then Namanve land among others. Whether these recommendations were reviewed and considered by the then UVA EXCO calls for another discussion. For the committee members, they did their part selflessly as was assigned to them by the AGM.

Currently, I serve as the UVA president for the central chapter.

Amidst hardships, I and my team, we have achieved or attempted the following;

• We have organized meetings without a single coin from the UVA treasury to facilitate these engagements.
• We initiated an idea of involving the public in our annual AGM events. The idea of farmers’ exhibition and training was born. My team therefore, was critical in organizing the first ever out side Kampala UVA farmer’s exhibition and training, for the 2022 AGM in Masaka. This was able to set a stage for the other regions to learn and replicate. Here we acknowledge some efforts from top UVA EXCO.
• We have made effort to hold physical meetings with some veterinarians in their districts of work to try to understand their pressing needs, they think UVA could make an intervention or contribution to address. These districts include; Kyotera, Rakai, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Sembabule, among others.
• We have identified with some of UVA members in times of trouble such as when they have lost their beloved ones not just by mobilizing condolences but also physically reaching out for emotional support. Some members like Dr. Valeria, Dr. Kassaga, Dr. Kimuli among others can attest to this level of brotherhood demonstrated under my leadership.
• I and my team initiated a strategic collaboration with the Kingdom of Buganda which we are yet to finalize, pending critical scrutiny by the Buganda high level committees like the Buganda Lukiiko.  We hope such an initiative will scale up our visibility as UVA and recognition from the public of our noble contribution to national economy, public health and their overall well-being. This will give us a footing as the professional body to negotiate for better from Government but also attract other stable partners. Here, I acknowledge input from some UVA members like Dr. Fluggy Mukasa and Dr. Kasibule Daniel.
• I and my team have attempted to initiate collaboration with the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) for UVA to make contribution to veterinary expertise demanding areas in Global Health Security.
• I and my team are exploring collaboration with the Uganda National Animal Health Networ and Uganda Medical Association.
• I have commenced talks on areas of potential collaboration with the Rwanda Veterinary Association.
• I and my team have made significant contribution in line with veterinary related legal framework reviews, notably, the then public health bill, veterinary practitioners bill, among others.
• We have labored to assess some of the challenges faced with veterinarians including employed and non-employed, private sector veterinary related businesses and other stakeholders including partners that would be willing or can potentially partner with UVA.

Below is a detailed strategic direction with 10 strategic areas of action, that UVA shall focus on in the two years under my leadership given your mandate.

1. Mobilize and consolidate membership

• Call off subscription areas for defaulters, reach out to potential members who have not subscribed and share an updated register quarterly.
• Work with veterinary service employers to encourage their staff consistently subscribe to UVA and specially recognize employers whose employed veterinarians have fully subscribed from time to time.
• Introduce auxiliary membership. This shall recognize and register key stakeholders who aren’t veterinary surgeons (e.g., veterinary para professionals, farmers, business community, other professionals etc.). This category shall not have voting rights. The purpose is to increase numbers of persons who jointly advocate for better veterinary services and also enhance UVA’s negotiation power.

2. Improve governance and administration
3. Enhance Resources obilization, strategic investment and financial trust
4. Initiate and strengthen strategic collaborations
   • Speed up process for finalizing the already initiated collaborations such as one with Buganda Kingdom and Open up more similar collaborations with other establishments.
   • Collaboratively engage with other professional formations such as United Veterinary Paraprofessionals Association (UVPPA), Uganda National Animal Health Network, Uganda Animal Production Society, among others to initiate the Uganda Veterinary and related professionals’ union. The union shall strengthen our opportunity to negotiate with Government for better working environment.

5. Strengthen coordination
6. Improve Members’ welfare and/or employment
7. Strengthen Strategic advocacy

• The current and previous UVA presidents have pronounced themselves clearly that “Veterinarians are not mere scientists”, and I strongly agree with them that veterinary is a medical profession. Therefore, my leadership shall make due consultations for rebranding from Uganda Veterinary Association to Uganda Veterinary Medical Association. We shall continue with current executive’s efforts in advocating for renumeration commensurate to that of medical professionals or even better given that we support several forms of life and several facets of health and social economic development in this country.
• My leadership shall build on efforts of the previous UVA leaders in advocating for streamlined veterinary drugs and biologicals regulation in Uganda. President Museveni recognized the gaps in regulation of veterinary drugs and equipment, and directed that, the regulatory function on the same be withdrawn from National drug authority. Therefore, veterinary drugs, biologicals and related equipment regulatory function should not again be suffocated by banding it together with food and agrochemicals. I and my team shall offer strategic and proactive advocacy in that regard.
• We shall continue to strategically engage and advocate for an independent ministry for the animal industry in this country. I acknowledge that a number of former UVA presidents including the current one, Dr. Daniel Kasibule, have advocated for the same.

8. Create and Strengthen networking and building social cohesion

• Introduce the interregional bull roasting and sports gala.
• Initiate a mentorship program. This will create opportunity for networking but also provide for welfare of members.

9. Enhancing UVA’s visibility in the digital space

The current UVA executive has made significant contribution in improving UVA’s visibility especially in the digital space. My tenure therefore shall build on their efforts and continue to strengthen our visibility through;

• Facilitate an IT expert to manage UVA’s website and the social media handles.
• Celebrate UVA’s achievements, that of her members and partners from time to time.
• Explore use of print media, radio and television space.

10. Improve UVA’s Office infrastructure
    • Explore possibilities of potential funders to support improvement (renovation or putting up a modern structure). Here, I acknowledge and thank the current executive and FAO, for collaboratively putting up a face lift around UVA premises.
    • Launch a fundraising campaign from UVA members, friends and partners to renovate UVA premises.

“Together we build on from the previous leaders ’contributions to make UVA greater than ever before”. We are stronger together.

*****

Dr. Ismail Asiimwe CJ

[email protected]

President UVA Central Chapter 0775890179.