A consultative workshop for trade unionists on Veterinary regulations under the Veterinary Practitioners Act 2024,took place October 1, 2026 at Kampala’s Imperial Royale Hotel.
The conference was attended by National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) affiliates, veterinary and the Legal practitioners.
Participants examined and discussed the Veterinary Practitioners Act 2024, draft Veterinary practitioners Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, Registration, licensing and Retention and the Veterinary practitioners ( Inspection, monitoring and Supervision of Veterinary practice Establishments) Regulations. 2026.
NOTU in partnership with International Labour Organisation (ILO) under the Trade for Jobs Project is implementing a project entitled “Promoting decent and sustainable jobs for workers within dairy and tourism sectors in Uganda , One of the intervention areas is to undertake flexible policy engagements to support consultative workshops on tripartite inputs into the relevant legal and policy frameworks , including veterinary regulations under the Veterinary Practitioners’ Act, 2024
The Veterinary Practitioners’ Act, 2024 provides the legal framework for the regulation of veterinary practice in Uganda. But effective implementation of the act requires development and finalization of subsidiary legislation to provide for clear and enforceable mechanisms for regulating surgeons, veterinary paraprofessionals and practicing establishments.
The new regulations aim to strength professional standards. Compliance and accountability. Trade unionists were sensitized and made practical recommendations that will positively strengthen the regulatory framework for veterinary practice in Uganda.
NOTU Secretary General Mr. Richard Bigirwa said as a federation they will ensure the veterinary regulations are reviewed, refined and formally validate the draft 2024 Regulations,
“ The federation is looking at the regulation on how it affects the ordinary worker in the workplace. We shall try to ensure the bill is sensitive to decent work and social justice, quality control and compliance,” he said.
Mr Bigirwa said the federation and affiliates are conducting continuous surveys on needs assessments in the various sectors with view to ascertaining challenges encountered but mainly emanating from employer – employees relations and , design short , medium and long term interventions.
Uganda Veterinary Council (UVC) Interim Chief Executive Officer Dr Florence Nambasa Masembe said they have made big strides in their sensitization and awareness campaigns on matters pertaining to regulations in the field of veterinary.
She said as a council they are not only promoting ethical conduct in veterinary practice to ensure professional conduct of doctors or practitioners who treat and manage animals with four legs. but also bearing in mind need to sensitize the public on protection of animal rights.
“We have tried our level best to overcome ever emerging challenges since society is dynamic and new trends always call for innovations in the level of practice,” She said.
Dr Nabasa said the Veterinary Council is committed to promoting high professional standards which is reason many mushrooming training institutions have failed to get the council’s recognition.
She said: ” The new regulations in the field of veterinary science are going to instill good practice, thwart masqarading and restore sanity in the field while promoting professionalim,” She said,
Trade unionists were sensitized on legal technicalities on the proposed regulations. amidst many foreseen challenges in society. The laws discussed were the Veterinary Practitioners Act 2024, draft Veterinary practitioners Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, Registration, licensing and Retention and the Veterinary practitioners ( Inspection, monitoring and Supervision of Veterinary practice Establishments) Regulations. 2026.
Workers Member of Parliament Hon Arinaitwe Rwakajara called on trade unionists to take the new regulations serious as the subject mater is one of the complex matter that affects bigger part of society especially people in the countryside.
He said: “We need to be cognizant of the major concerns ordinary workers have especially cattle keepers. The manner in which people relate with veterinary doctors on matters pertaining to treatment animals in homes is of paramount importance.
The conference was also attended by former Female Workers Member of Parliament who is also Uganda Railways Workers Union General Secretary Hon Agnes Kunihira. Others were NOTU Executive Board Members, General Secretaries and selected sectorial trade unionists.
