Veterinarians Demand Audience With Museveni: As Uganda Named Best in Pork Consumption

By Patrick Jaramogi

Kampala, Uganda: SHIFT MEDIA NEWS- The animal experts, grouped under the umbrella body of the Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA) have demanded an audience with H.E the President.

Speaking at this years’ UVA Symposium and Annual General Meeting held at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala, the UVA president, Dr. Sylvia Baluka Angubua said the president has never honored their invite to any of the association meetings.
“Even our leaders have lost faith in the professionals, now they prefer to work through the informal sector. If we do nothing, our profession will disappear like many others,” she said.

She urged the State minister for Agriculture, Hon. Christopher Kibazanga, who presided as chief guest to remind His Excellency the president to honor their call to address them. “We have always invited H.E the president to attend our events, but he never honors them. Please send our message to him that the professionals want to meet and hear from him,” said Baluka.

She said as veterinarians, they are the remnants of professionals who are duty-bound to inspire a reconnaissance of professionalism in Uganda.

The AGM was held under the theme: “Revitalizing The Veterinary Profession To meet social needs”

Dr. Sylvia Baluka Angubua said the theme was inspired by the desire of the veterinarians to rekindle their professional flames to serve Ugandan animals, farmers and humanity better. “The veterinary profession, like any other profession, is facing so many challenges that need to be addressed with a bigger voice,” she said,

Baluka told the delegates from across the country that many children no longer find models in professionals including veterinary doctors, teachers, and lawyers, but rather admire reggae stars.

She hailed the World Veterinary Association for honoring and awarding Uganda Veterinary Association for the second year in a row with the best veterinary Day Award.

UVA was awarded for its interventions to improve animal health, welfare, and public health.

The World Veterinary Association was represented at the AGM by Dr. Gani Enahoro, the Councilor for Africa,

Dr. Baluka said Uganda’s efforts to improve animal health and welfare including vaccination contributed to the award.

While addressing the delegates Kibanzanga said the president has the professionals at heart, only that he is busy. “I will deliver your request to the President, and I am sure he will be present in your next meeting,” said Kibanzanga.

The State Minister for Security, Gen. Elly Tumwine lashed at the veterinarians for not being there especially in rural villages to address animal diseases

World Animal Protection Releases Report

At the same event, the World Animal Protection released a report: “Consumer Perceptions on Animal Welfare  and Food Safety across East Africa”

Dr. Victor Yamo, the World Animal Protection Campaigns Manager –Animals in Farming, said Animal welfare is inextricably linked with animal health, and human health and welfare.

Yamo said the purpose of the study was to evaluate consumer’s knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices around sourcing and consumption of meat products.

The study also sought to identify the main supermarkets and fast-food restaurants where meats are purchased, and to determine the main types of meats consumed and consumption the various patterns.

Findings

Chicken Most consumed

The study conducted in four countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia revealed that chicken (93.1%) still remains the most consumed among the meat products, followed by Beef at (84.3%), Fish (76.0%), Goat (72.0%), Pork (57.3%), Mutton (34.6%) and Rabbit meat (21.0%),

The study targeted consumers within major centers of the four(4)Eastern Africa countries

1.Kenya, •Nairobi, •Kisumu, •Mombasa

2.Tanzania, •Arusha, •Dares-Salaam

3.Uganda, •Kampala, •Entebbe, and •Jinja

4.Zambia, •Lusaka

Other Countries captured included: •South Africa, •Nigeria,  •Egypt,  •Namibia,  •Brazil, •Mozambique, and  •Rwanda.

Releasing the findings in Kampala, Dr. Yamo noted that most East Africans have the desire for healthy meals that are chemical-free, majority, as per the study willing to pay more for humanely reared animals and animal products.

“Majority said they were ready to buy more meat and meat products if it is safer, and locally produced and if animals were raised in an environmentally sustainable way that is free of antibiotics,” he said

He said stress and poor welfare in farm animals increase the transmission and virulence of a number of zoonotic diseases.

“Protecting the welfare of farm animals can, therefore, be an important factor in decreasing the spread of disease,” he said.

Uganda Tops in Pork, Chicken Consumption

Not surprising though was the findings revelations that Uganda topped the four nations in pork consumption, with figures standing at 65.4%, followed by Zambia (60.5%), Tanzania (59.6%) and Kenya trailed with (50.7%)

The study showed that most people don’t eat pork due to religious reasons, while others perceived the possible health risks associated with its consumption.

Uganda also led the pack in chicken consumption (95.4%) followed by Tanzania (93.5%), Zambia (93.2%) and Kenya (92.6.).

Kenya topped as best fish eaters standing out at (79.4%), Uganda came second at (78.7%), while Tanzania ranked third with (70.8%) and Zambia had 69.1%).

Zambia emerged best among the best beef eaters with figures standing at (85.8%), Tanzania (85.4%), Kenya (84.2%) while Uganda trailed at (82.9%).

When it comes to goat meat, Uganda emerged the best here again ranking at 78.2%, followed by Kenya at 75.7%, Zambia with 71.6% and Tanzania at 67.7%.