Golden Jubilee: 50 years of veterinary degree training at Makerere University

It was first established in Lyon, France in 1761, by Claude Bourgelat who, as an overachiever, opened a second one in Alfort, France just four years later (in 1765). This was the genesis of formal veterinary training institutions. In Uganda, it happened 161 years later (in 1922).

When - the later to be named - Makerere University (MAK) started as Uganda Technical College in 1922, veterinary science was one of the few courses. Just like in Bourgelat's veterinary training schools of the 1760s, the training in Uganda started humbly. It is reported that it started as an in-service training institution for the colonial government’s department of veterinary services. With the need for broader and higher-level skills, the training programmes progressively expanded to today’s rich five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) programme covering a wide range of courses.

The first intake of BVM students in a university in Uganda happened in 1971, almost 50 years after the beginning of veterinary training in Uganda. This year, 2021, therefore, marks 50 years of BVM training in Makerere (Uganda). Before then, most East African BVM students took their training from Kabete in Kenya and were awarded degrees from the University of East Africa. A few went to the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. Universities in the three East African Community member countries then were strengthened strategically to complement each other in training the region’s workforce in various professional disciplines. University students moved freely across borders to take their respective professional courses. With time, individual member States progressively built capacity to conduct training in all professional disciplines relevant to their respective development agendas.

Fast forward. Uganda established the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and started admissions into the BVM programme in 1971, a year after the establishment of Makerere. The following eminent persons, among others, took a step of faith and enrolled in a new school as pioneer students of BVM training in Uganda: Dr Lonzy Ojok (Professor Emeritus, Makerere, former Board member, NEMA), Dr Margaret Saimo (Principal Investigator of the government-funded anti-tick vaccine project at Mak), Dr John Nuwagaba (Pastor and chairman of the Uganda Veterinary Board), Dr Nyeko Pen-Mogi (former Vice-Chancellor, Gulu University), Dr Jaxon Nakasala-Situma (RIP, sitting Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine when the Silver Jubilee was celebrated). Training progressed very well despite some yet to be fully completed facilities.

An estimated average of 45 veterinary graduates have been produced by Makerere every year since 1975, several research and innovation outputs generated and excellent service to the community through service-learning activities, partnerships and consultancy engagements. The veterinary graduates produced provide solutions in the areas of animal welfare, animal production, food security, food safety, public health and environmental health. The training curriculum is deeply rooted in the World Organisation for Animal Health’s Day 1 competency for veterinary graduates. This gives graduates of veterinary medicine from Makerere a firm foundation of competencies required to provide professional services in any country in the world. The malleability of veterinarians grants them the necessary ability to adjust to the unique technological, socio-cultural, language, legal and environmental systems in the country in question. It is not surprising therefore to find Makerere veterinary graduates working in various countries in many capacities ranging from 'core veterinary practice' to the more liberal research arena. As they excel in foreign lands, they should also excel back home despite the relatively less sophisticated technological support, low purchasing power of the community, some significantly disruptive policies and incoherent policy implementation processes! Makerere-trained veterinarians soldier on for God and our country.

This article was published in the New Vision Newspaper (online) of 8th December 2021. I am heavily indebted to them.

Lessons from COVID-19: Understanding quarantine in the animal sector

This article was published in the New Vision Newspaper (online) of 9th May 2020. I am heavily indebted to them.

“Kalantini” as some people jokingly refer to quarantine on social media (in Uganda) is now a household word thanks to COVID-19. Quarantine is an action, usually taken for disease control, in which humans or animals suspected or confirmed to be suffering from an infectious, often communicable, disease have their movements from one point to another highly restricted. It also applies to those who may not be sick but have had contact with the sick or infected material as they are believed to be able to transfer the disease-causing germ from one place to another. The ultimate purpose of quarantine is to prevent spread of disease to susceptible individuals who would in turn transmit it to others and so on. The multiplier effect – one case infecting several individuals – would lead to disastrous consequences as the national disease management and control system would be overwhelmed!

While to many, quarantine is a word that came with COVID-19, among animal rearing communities it is common. This is so because movement control through instituting quarantine is one of the key measures undertaken to prevent spread of highly contagious animal diseases of economic and public health importance. Examples of such diseases are Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever (ASF). Both these diseases of animals are viral and have no known cure. Unlike FMD which has a vaccine, ASF does not so when it strikes, 100% death of pigs that get into contact with infected ones or virus-contaminated material will be the most likely result. In such a case an effective quarantine would save the highly susceptible national herds.

Similar to COVID-19, discipline and adherence to established guidelines are vital in the control of infectious animal diseases. It is complicated further by the fact that infected animal products, inanimate objects or even humans can carry germs from one farm to another. Contaminated vehicle tyres, animal health workers’ shoes and/or clothing, farm implements, and contaminated hands of farmers or animal handlers or careless veterinarians have been implicated. While quarantine restricts movement of animals, human activity can fail its purpose completely. The attitude of humans contributes significantly to failure of quarantine hence the difficulty in animal disease control. Whenever government stops animal movement and closes all cattle markets in an affected area, some “stubborn” individuals defy the guidance and move animals (including infected ones) from an area with infection to one without or from a non-infected area through an area with infection. This illegal act does not only fail government efforts to control the spread of disease but also metes a heavy undeserved economic blow on often innocent farmers whose animals acquire infection due to the carelessness of some individuals.

It is my hope that the COVID-19 situation has improved our appreciation of the need for and the benefits of observing quarantine guidelines in the animal sector. Key among the lessons that ought to be borrowed is vigilance and coordinated actions of the network of leaders at all levels. Also important is the keenness and cooperation of the community. Applying these, among others, will reduce economic losses suffered due to infectious transboundary animal diseases.

Control of infectious diseases enhances optimal performance, the precursor of increased benefits. Animals benefit humans in various ways, including but not limited to, food security, improved nutrition, financial income, draft power, cultural mileage, research, tourism, recreation, psychosocial support, security and prestige. Every citizen therefore ought to be responsible enough to adhere to guidelines and practices that improve animal health. Each one of us should report disease to veterinary professionals promptly and adhere to their guidance on quarantine, vaccination schedules and disease-preventive husbandry practices. Additionally, we should ensure that no animal or material moves from an affected farm to another. Sanitize vehicle tyres and veterinary professionals’ personal protection equipment as they move between farms.

Remember, President Yoweri Museveni recently said, “God cannot just be here in Uganda looking after idiots”. And may I add, “and their animals”.

Samuel G. Okech

Member, Uganda Veterinary Board (UVB)

Ambassador, African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN)

Past President, Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA)

Why should the veterinary profession be regulated?

“Why do you collect registration and licensing fees from us when there are non-veterinarians everywhere in the country impersonating veterinarians and causing tremendous losses in the community and consequently bringing a bad image to a profession they do not belong to?” asked one registered and licensed veterinarian. The other added in quick succession, “So after I have registered and got my annual practice licence then what happens with the veterinarian who chooses not to register and/or get a practice licence?” These were voices of angered, frustrated and genuinely concerned patriotic veterinary professionals who respect the obligation to register and get licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Uganda and yet are suffering the pain of “competing” with non-professionals on one hand and non-compliant professionals on the other. Both these scenarios relate to regulation of the veterinary profession.

The scenarios point to the need to strengthen regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine in Uganda, including the use of modern technology. Veterinary professionals, just like other medical professionals, take the Hippocratic oath because they deal with life. Elements of the oath include ensuring the welfare of animals entrusted to their care, continuous enhancement of professional competences, protection of public and environmental health. Needless say, the non-veterinarians do not take this oath and neither do they understand its significance. It is not uncommon therefore that they impersonate veterinary professionals without due regard to the responsibilities defined in the elements of the veterinary Hippocratic oath. The poor unsuspecting client willingly subjects their animal to mismanagement, torture and often death in the hands of the quack and moreover pays such a law breaker handsomely in addition. The animal may die soon thereafter or later through escalation of the disease or of complications associated with inappropriate medications or quantities of them administered to it.

The welfare of an animal is very central in determining whether it performs its role in meeting human needs or not. It is important therefore that the laws of the land should guard against individuals who would violate the animal’s welfare and by so doing cause losses to the owner of the animal. The Veterinary Surgeon’s Act Cap 277 empowers the Uganda Veterinary Board to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine in Uganda. Through execution of their functions, they protect the interests of the animals, the animal owner and the veterinary professional.

The veterinary profession has, as a requirement enshrined in the regulatory guidelines, the need for adherence to a code of conduct that defines the culture of professionalism and general social etiquette. Besides contributing to producing a responsible member of society, this regulation also protects and raises the image of the noble profession. A properly regulated veterinary profession leads to the improvement of quality of services and animal products in the country. Additionally, appropriate regulation promotes growth of veterinary practices and also utilisation of products from industry thus expanding space for employment and taxation. It is also obvious that the regulatory body influences the quality of training and by so doing keeps the local institutions at par with global standards thus producing professionals with sufficient competence to provide solutions to real world challenges. This in turn preserves the image, integrity and reputation of the training institution and ultimately that of the nation.

It is important at this stage to point out that regulation of the veterinary profession cannot be accomplished without deliberate input from government, veterinary professionals themselves, enforcement officers, animal owners and the public. Each has its unique role ranging from sufficient funding of the regulator by government to enable it execute its functions; vigilance of the public in reporting quacks and unethical veterinary practitioners; police for supporting the regulator in enforcing the law; the veterinary professional by meeting their legal obligations, religious adherence to ethical code of conduct and vigilance in reporting quacks. Additionally, it is the animal owners’ right to seek from anybody intending to offer or offering them animal health services not only their full identity but evidence that they are a licensed professional. Unique identification documents will be designed for this purpose. Should such a person fail to provide convincing evidence or refuse to cooperate, the owner of the animal should take note and report to the regulator for advice and further action. It is envisaged further that within the next few months, it will be possible for anybody anywhere in the country to be able to establish the true identity of a registered and licensed veterinary professional in Uganda with support of technology and the government gazette. Technology will also make it possible for the animal owner to locate the nearest registered and licenced veterinary professional. This way, the two questions at the opening of this article will be satisfactorily answered. Every Ugandan has a role in ensuring the provision of quality veterinary services. May we execute them conscientiously.

For God and my country.

This article was part of the set published in Kampala dailies of 27 April 2019 in commemoration of World Veterinary Day 2019.

World Veterinary Day 2018

BETTER ANIMAL WELFARE INCREASES INCOME AND PRIDE TO THE NATION

“The greatness of a nation - and its moral progress - can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. This statement was made by Mahatma Gandhi in relation to the welfare of animals. Animal welfare, the state of fitness and happiness of an animal, is a very central factor in its enhanced production, optimal performance and subsequently, satisfaction of the animal owner. It is therefore important that humans, who benefit from animals variously do conscientiously address matters of their welfare. Animals benefit humans as source of food; source of income; source of ornaments and trophies; draft power; source of recreation and entertainment; provision of security; symbols of social capital; subjects for drug development research; fulfilling cultural obligations; ecosystem balance, among others. Despite all these benefits humans liberally harness from animals, some of them are still cruel to animals. This necessitated the creation of animal welfare-related laws by all countries to guide and enforce good animal welfare practices. In Uganda, it is “The Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) Act” Cap 39 of 1957! It is quite an old one whose penalties are non-deterrent. This probably contributes to fueling the cruelty currently meted on animals in Uganda.

There are numerous examples of practices that are regarded as being cruel to animals in Uganda. Examples include, the manner of transportation and handling of animals in transit; overworked and sometimes tortured draft animals such as oxen and donkeys; beating of animals; unnecessary and inappropriate confinement and/or isolation; delayed diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases; animals deprived of sufficient well-balanced nutrition; roadside sale of animals; roaming animals poisoned, beaten or run over by vehicles; inhumane slaughter of animals. While some of these bad practices happen in the public domain, it is suspected that lots of acts of cruelty, including untold heinous and shameful acts happen behind doors and behind wall fences. Not too long ago, on two occasions, innocent piglets were painted and dumped in the packing area of the Parliament of Uganda. As if the manner in which they were tied, transported and flung on a hard surface were not bad enough to their welfare, the piglets further suffered in the hands of security officers. The latter who were supposed to save the piglets from suffering, instead added more by dragging them on the tarmac and administering militant kicks on them! These and other kinds of cruel acts, wherever they occur, affect the animal’s performance and the ultimate loser is the owner of the animal and the nation (economy).

Going by Gandhi’s words, what kind of nation are we? The Bible (Proverbs 12:10) adds, “Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs”. So, judging by the way we treat our animals, do we choose to be a nation whose greatness is questioned and moreover populated by wicked people? Could we, Ugandans, please rise and fight the practices that steal the animal’s happiness and fitness; erodes the farmers’ and subsequently the country’s wealth – through reduced production and poor quality animal products? Fortunately, this loss is preventable. Veterinary professionals are full-time key partners in the efforts to enhance animal performance and the consequent income thereof. There should be no wonder therefore that animal welfare is a key element in the veterinary profession Hippocratic Oath in all countries. They cannot do it alone though.

So as we celebrate the World Veterinary Day 2018, let us use it to remind ourselves of the significant role animals – in a good state of welfare - play in our livelihoods and in the national economy. In this respect, we also ought to recognize the central role and position of veterinary professionals in the patriotic efforts of generating and protecting national wealth. Let’s make Uganda a great nation. Happy celebrations.

For God and my country.

Ten years of blogging

On Thursday 20th July 2017 this blog made ten (10) years. The blog started in a humble way on 20th July 2007.

Youth development programmes in Uganda should be balanced not biased

The current demographics put Ugandans under 30 at a handsome 78% of the national population. Accordingly therefore and rightfully so, there is lots of talk and some action supposedly for the empowerment and transformation of the youth. Time will tell whether such actions in their current form will have significant impact on the performance of the national economy.

It is common in Uganda today for one to address themselves to the topic of harnessing the blessing of the high population of youth in the country amidst the problem of high unemployment. While the arguments are presented with admirable rhetoric to match the clout of the speakers, no convincing local data is provided to support the claims of being able to transform the economy through engaging youth in production and entrepreneurship. While I buy into the general principle of productive engagement, some proponents have taken it to unacceptable levels that border on empty deceptive words that could consequently plunge us into new depths.

In an attempt to strengthen their arguments, they unfortunately downplay the role of formal education. I find this unrealistic, unfair, selfish and unethical. Their presentations are derogatory to youth who have gone through or are pursuing formal education. The irony is that some of these personalities enjoy the comfort and privileges of offices and private businesses deservedly earned, albeit using credentials and competences largely built on the foundation of their formal education. And they are making great contributions to the development of this country. Why then do they condemn the foundational and enabling role of formal education in the empowerment or transformation of the youth they purport to argue for? It will not be surprising if it is found that such people are supporting their close relatives to pursue formal education in prestigious training institutions. They instead continue to peddle arguments to the effect that the currently struggling youth in the countryside – for reasons not of their making - should be supported and relegated exclusively to agricultural production enterprises moreover with little capital, rudimentary implements and on borrowed land. Some are encouraged to start micro enterprises in the countryside but these cannot earn them much to write home about especially with reference to living above the poverty line or better still creating and accumulating wealth that can in turn support their spouses and offspring to live decent lives. We are told that even in the cities where the market is broader, majority of such minute enterprises do not see their first birthday! Now pity the village youth!

While the youth development programmes are a good idea, they must be balanced with providing the youth the opportunity for quality formal education. The majority of today’s youth are capable of pursuing education to the highest level if given opportunity and this cannot make them less productive in the economy, neither can it be argued that this will necessarily take them away from engaging in agricultural production or other profitable entrepreneurial engagements. No rocket science is required to decipher the fact that nurturing a majority of poorly, if at all, educated population in this era is itself a recipe for disaster. Furthermore, it is erroneous to believe and persistently argue that every youth who goes through formal education ends up only as an unskilled job seeker who cannot create any employment opportunity. Moreover, those who do not create jobs or self-employment are still needed by the existing tax-compliant enterprises as productive employees.

I write this article not to downplay any youth development programmes but rather to highlight the need for proper balancing of the argument and action for the good of our country. I think the solution lies in supporting the youth to undertake quality formal education while mentoring them in productive, entrepreneurial ventures. None should be exclusive of the other and any model promoting such dichotomy and castigating formal education in the process will most likely not help Uganda. The youth development programmes and formal education system therefore need to be re-examined candidly with a view to making them synergistic.

For God and my Country.

Rabies kills but can be controlled

"As we talk now, we have one classical case of rabies (in the ward). Unfortunately, we cannot save the life of this young lady at this stage" said a health worker from a health unit in Kotido on June 4, 2015. This statement has nothing to do with the competence of the professionals but all to do with the nature of the disease and its prevention measures. The health worker was briefing a multidisciplinary and multinational team of professionals (veterinary and biomedical laboratory) from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda and the United States of America. They were on a study trip in Karamoja, among other places, to understand animal production systems, animal diseases, zoonoses (diseases that affect both humans and animals) and their impact on community livelihoods.

Rabies, a viral disease that affects both animals and humans, is a killer disease that has unfortunately received insufficient attention globally. It reportedly kills up to 55,000 humans every year (one person every ten minutes) in Africa and Asia alone where 95% of the cases occur! Uganda contributes to this statistic although we believe that due to poor reporting, misdiagnosis and other challenges, the entire magnitude of the burden is not documented.

Rabies is largely transmitted to humans through dog bites and kills mainly children in the rural areas of the country due to various reasons. Children tend to interact with the dogs more closely than adults and are also prone to attack due to their naivety and failure to flee quickly from dangerous dogs. Rabies is sadly 100% fatal when clinical signs show - the disease is irreversible by any known human intervention once clinical signs of the disease show. Usually at this stage the virus has found its way to the brain initially entering through the nerves at the bite wound. However, if a bitten person accesses post-exposure treatment soon after being bitten, the virus is arrested before it advances far from the point of entry hence significantly increasing the chances of survival.

In Kotido, up to twenty (20) dog bite cases have been reportedly seen in one day! This is alarming but the consolation is that not all dogs that bite humans are rabid. The good news about this killer disease is that it is controllable through a multifaceted intervention approaches: vaccination of dogs and cats, population control of stray dogs and cats, and community education. A responsible member of the community should therefore contact their area veterinarian for guidance on when to vaccinate theirs and other dogs in the community. All humans at risk should also be vaccinated and given boosters regularly e.g. veterinary professionals; animal handlers in security organisations, zoos, animal clinics and veterinary and animal science students.

Community members should also report any animals behaving unusually to the nearest animal health worker for checking and follow-up. When bitten by a suspected rabid animal or indeed by any dog or cat, one is advised to get as much information as possible about the animal and its vaccination record and volunteer it to the authorities or animal and human health workers. They should also clean the wound with clean water and soap or antiseptic besides other first aid measures and immediately report to the nearest health unit for appropriate medical attention. Obtaining animal vaccination record is important for guiding the medical worker's choice of treatment protocol so as to save the life of a dog bite victim. Such information is also useful to support the veterinarian’s follow-up protocol for the dog in question.

The embarrassing thing about Rabies is that it can be controlled and yet it still ranks high on the list of globally neglected killer zoonotic diseases! It is known that controlling it at the animal level eliminates cases in humans.

This article was published in the New Vision Newspaper of 8th July 2015.