Uganda Launches Digital System to Overhaul Veterinary Sector

Uganda is taking a significant step towards modernizing its veterinary services with the launch of a new online database. This digital system, spearheaded by the Uganda Veterinary Council (UVC), is designed to improve the regulation, licensing, and monitoring of veterinary practitioners nationwide.

State Minister for Animal Industry, Mr. Bright Rwamirama, hailed the platform as a vital milestone for professionalism and accountability within the sector. He emphasized that the system will help strengthen regulatory frameworks, improve public service delivery, and boost public trust in veterinary services. This initiative is expected to address challenges previously faced in the trade of animal products.

The new platform supports the UVC’s broader mandate, established under the Veterinary Practitioners Act 2024. With assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the system will maintain an up-to-date national registry of licensed veterinarians and establishments. It will also facilitate the verification of professional credentials and aid in inspection and compliance monitoring.

Minister Rwamirama highlighted that the system empowers farmers to verify the credentials of veterinary professionals, a crucial step in combating unqualified practitioners, often referred to as “quacks.” He noted that such individuals have contributed to issues like antimicrobial resistance, underscoring the importance of competent veterinary care.

The government is also in the final stages of establishing a unified Veterinary and Food Authority to consolidate oversight. This move aligns with the “One Health” approach, recognizing that a significant portion of human diseases originate from animals, making robust animal health and food safety systems critical for trade and consumer confidence.

Dr. Caroline Asiimwe, chairperson of the UVC digital systems committee, stated that the platform signifies the end of manual record-keeping, ushering in an era of enhanced transparency and modernization for veterinary practice in Uganda. The UVC Chairperson, Dr. Halid Kirunda, added that the system is crucial for operationalizing the Veterinary Practitioners Act 2024, thereby strengthening oversight and compliance.

The FAO’s Country Representative, Mr. Ezana Kassa, affirmed that the system will improve the registration, licensing, and professional development tracking of over 4,600 registered professionals, leading to greater efficiency and transparency. This initiative is expected to bolster Uganda’s animal health, public health, and food safety systems, vital for agricultural transformation and international trade.

This modernization effort was reported by the Daily Monitor on May 29, 2026.