UVA on Friday held the inauguration of a new executive that was elected a week before. Dr Kasibule, who has been Vice-President and is District veterinary officer Mpigi District, takes over from Dr Baluka, who served two terms from 2017.

New General secretary is Dr Bonifance Obbo. Dr Obbo is a principal Veterinary officer Manafwa District local Government

At the handover ceremony, Dr Baluka shared the challenges their sector is facing, urging the new executive to prioritize several issues including disease control, improved welfare and facilitation, especially transport, for vet doctors to reach farmers.

“Animals harbor a lot of disease causing agents, and the lesson from the spread of COVID-19 from animals to man is that we need to do more monitoring for the safety of Ugandans,” Baluka said.

She also decried the poor quality of food and animal products on the market, as farmers are pumping animals with all kinds of medicines that end up on people’s plates.

On the downgrade from a full Animal industry in the 80s to an integrated one with the Ministry of agriculture, Baluka said it has had its consequences as shown in the state of health of the animals sector. UVA are lobbying for a change, but also acquired land at Namanve to build a facility to up capacity of veterinarians.

She said they however face a threat from the Investment Authority, that want to take over the land because of delayed use of it.

The UVA executive immediately urged members to plan, budget for 2021 and lobby for resource allocations in order to mark World veterinary that will take place on April 24 in Nakasongola District, and the World rabies ( day 28/09 every year).

General secretary Obbo promised to spread veterinary activities in all corners of Uganda. ” We will reach all corners, from Yumbe whose DVO is Dr Mukasa Matinda Neckyon to Busia District’s  Dr Patrick Barasa. From Kotido that has Dr Longoli to Dr Ngabo Herbert in Kisoro District.”

NEW UVA EXECUTIVE

Story Published on the Independent Website