Welcome to the Uganda Veterinary Council (UVC) Website. The UVC is the national statutory body mandated to regulate veterinary practice in Uganda. The Council was established under the Veterinary Practitioners Act, 2024, which came into force on 5th October 2025, replacing the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1958, Cap 277. The 2024 Act establishes a modern, inclusive, and forward-looking framework for regulating veterinary practice in Uganda in line with national priorities and international best practice.
Uganda’s veterinary profession has evolved significantly since the enactment of the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1958, which was designed at a time when animal health services were limited in scope, scale and provision by the public sector. Over the decades, veterinary practice has expanded into a critical pillar of animal health, public health, food systems, environmental protection, wildlife health and conservation, and national economic development. Veterinary professionals now play an indispensable role in safeguarding the health and welfare of all animals, irrespective of their use (companion, farm, wildlife, aquatic, draught, productive insects, laboratory animals), ensuring the safety of animal-source foods and products, supporting trade, and strengthening national food security.
The 1958 Act focused primarily on regulating veterinary surgeons under the Uganda Veterinary Board. Conversely, the 2024 Act provides a legal framework that recognises and regulates all categories of veterinary practitioners, including veterinary surgeons, paraprofessionals, and auxiliary cadres. By clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and scopes of practice, the 2024 Act strengthens professionalism, improves service efficiency, and protects animal owners and the public from unqualified or illegal practice.
The Veterinary Practitioners Act, 2024, places veterinary services at the heart of safe and efficient food systems. It strengthens the regulation of veterinary medicines, disease surveillance, animal welfare, and food safety—ensuring that animal-source foods and products reaching consumers are safe, high quality, and compliant with local, regional, and international trade and consumer standards. In addition, the reforms support sustainable benefits to all cadres of veterinary professionals by streamlining the practice and providing for the enforcement of standards and the elimination of illegal practice.
Mandated by the 2024 Act, the UVC is responsible for the registration and licensing of veterinary practitioners and practice establishments; enforcement of ethical and professional standards; recognition of veterinary training institutions; promotion of continuing professional development; and protection of animal health, veterinary public health, and animal welfare. The Council is modernising regulatory systems through digital registration and licensing, strengthened inspection and enforcement mechanisms, and transparent governance processes that enhance accountability and public trust.
Beyond regulation, the Council plays an important advisory and advocacy role, working with Government, Parliament, professional associations, training institutions, and development partners to integrate veterinary services into Uganda’s broader agricultural and socio-economic transformation agenda. This includes promoting the One Health approach, antimicrobial resistance control, and control of endemic and transboundary animal diseases.
As the UVC operationalises its expanded mandate, it remains committed to transparency, professionalism, partnership, and service excellence. We invite veterinary professionals, animal owners, institutions and the public to explore this platform for information on registration and licensing, professional standards, regulatory updates and Council notices.
Together, we can build a strong, ethical, and accountable veterinary profession that protects animal health, safeguards public health, strengthens farming households, supports safe food systems, and contributes meaningfully to Uganda’s national development.
Dr Florence N. M. Kasirye
Ag. Secretary / Acting Chief Executive Officer
Uganda Veterinary Council