In the course of a two-day visit to Uganda, the OIE Sub-Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, Dr. Walter Masiga, was received by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), the Hon. Rwamirama K. Bright. Present were also Dr. Patrick Bastiaensen (OIE Programme Officer) and Dr. Nicholas Kauta, Director of Animal Resources (OIE Delegate).
From left to right : Dr Walter Masiga, OIE Representative, Hon. Rwamirama K. Bright, Minister and Dr. Nicholas Kauta, Director of Animal Resources. Picture © P. Bastiaensen (oie) 2013.
Dr Masiga raised the issue shortage of staff at the national laboratory facility (NADDEC) and recommended that the Ministry be allowed to urgently recruit scientific staff. He also raised the possibility that OIE assist with the organisation of a donor-round table (as a result of the previous PVS stages that have been completed) in close partnership with the GoU i.e. the line-Ministry and the Ministry of Finance. Finally, he reiterated the OIE’s proposal to assist in the implementation of the upcoming Regional Pastoral Livelihood Recovery and Resilience Project for the Horn of Africa, which will commence soon. The OIE offers its technical support in the area of vaccine banks (PPR), laboratory twinning and overall strengthening of veterinary services.
The visit was further completed with meetings held in Kampala and Entebbe, enabling national VS staff, OIE focal points and stakeholders, amongst which the Uganda Veterinary Board, Veterinary Association and industry representatives, to raise issues pertaining to the scope of activities of the OIE
