KAMPALA – More than 1,200 veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals from over 92 districts across Uganda have petitioned the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, demanding an immediate review and suspension of the new annual licensing fees introduced by the Uganda Veterinary Council (UVC).
The petitioners argue that the sharp increase from Shs150,000 to Shs500,000 for veterinary surgeons and from Shs100,000 to Shs340,000 for paraprofessionals will push many qualified practitioners out of the profession, make veterinary services unaffordable for smallholder farmers, and threaten key government programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) control efforts.
“We are not against the Uganda Veterinary Council,” said Dr. Dickson Tayebwa, one of the leading petitioners.
“When the UVC was established, we celebrated it. We want regulation. We want professionalism. But the Council’s first major act was to raise fees from Shs100,000–150,000 to Shs500,000 without proper consultation. This is not regulation—this is punishment.”
The petition, submitted on April 30, 2026, highlights that Uganda already suffers from a severe shortage of veterinary personnel. According to data presented, the country needs at least 4,529 veterinary professionals and 19,719 paraprofessionals to serve its 146 districts and over 2,190 sub-counties. Yet, only 372 veterinarians (8.2% coverage) and 998 paraprofessionals (5.1% coverage) are currently registered. Registered veterinary clinics stand at a shocking 11 nationwide, against a required 2,191.
Dr. Joseph Byaruhanga told journalists that the petition reflects the voice of over 1,200 signatories:
“This is not a small grievance. This is a national outcry. If 1,200 professionals from 92 districts are speaking out, imagine how many more have already been silenced or forced to quit.”
Farmers and Government Programmes at Risk
The practitioners warn that the burden will ultimately fall on poor livestock farmers, who make up nearly 80% of Uganda’s farming population. Over 1.25 million households involved in livestock under the PDM—which has received over Shs3.3 trillion—depend on affordable veterinary services.
Dr. Mugwanya Remigius said: “Our clients farmers with animals are already being affected. Some are losing their animals because they cannot access licensed treatment. This fee hike will make services even more expensive or unavailable, especially in rural areas.”
The new FMD control policy, which relies heavily on mass vaccination campaigns, is also under threat. Without sufficient veterinarians and paraprofessionals in rural communities, mobilisation and vaccination efforts could collapse.
Dr. Asuman Yusuf, speaking on behalf of veterinary clinics, added: “This will affect young veterinary surgeons the most. With so many fees inspection, licensing, retention, many will be forced out. Cats, dogs, cows, and goats are all at stake. Even insecurity may increase if stray dogs cannot be treated and become aggressive.”
Uganda Now Has the Highest Fees in the Region
A comparative survey presented in the petition shows that Uganda now charges the highest veterinary licensing fees in East Africa, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of GDP per capita:
Uganda (new): $132 (Shs500,000) – 11.0% of GDP per capita, Kenya: $93 – 4.65%, Tanzania: $89 – 7.4%, and Rwanda: $20.50 – 2.05%
Within Uganda, veterinarians are now required to pay two and a half times more than medical doctors or lawyers (Shs200,000) and over three times more than engineers (Shs150,000).
Dr. Dankaine Rogers expressed concern about the lack of a grace period: “The Council has three sources of funding under the Veterinary Practitioners Act, 2024—appropriations from Parliament, fees, and grants or donations. It should not rely solely on practitioners. Only 373 doctors have paid this year out of over 3,000. This means the majority are now practising illegally, and most of those who have paid are in central Uganda, leaving upcountry districts even more underserved.”
What the Petitioners Want
The petitioners have presented eight specific demands, including:
Immediate suspension of the new fees pending a thorough review, Recall of the published 2026 register, Convening of a stakeholder meeting within 30 days, Approval of a revised, realistic fee structure, and Refunds for those who have already paid the increased fees
They have proposed more affordable annual fees: Shs200,000 for veterinary surgeons and Shs160,000 for paraprofessionals.
Dr. Musafiri Joel reiterated: “We are asking the Minister to grant at least a one-year grace period so that practitioners can be properly oriented to the new regulatory regime.”
Ministry Yet to Respond
As of press time, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Uganda Veterinary Council had not issued an official response to the petition.
With livestock contributing significantly to Uganda’s food security and household incomes—especially under the PDM—the petitioners warn that failure to act urgently could reverse gains made in animal disease control and agro-industrialisation.
“We invested five to six years studying veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Dickson Tayebwa. “It is not a crime to be a veterinarian. A licence is necessary to stop quackery, but it should not be used to punish or drive dedicated professionals out of the field. The Minister must intervene now—before more colleagues quit and thousands of animals lose access to care.”
