Uganda, May 1 -- A group of more than 1,200 veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals from over 92 districts across Uganda on Thursday petitioned the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Mr Frank Tumwebaze, demanding an immediate review and suspension of the new annual licensing fees introduced by the Uganda Veterinary Council (UVC).

The petitioners, led by Dr. Dickson Tayebwa and Dr. Joseph Byaruhanga, told Mr. Tumwebaze in the petition that the sharp increase of the annual licensing fees by UVC from the current Shs150,000 to Shs500,000 for veterinary surgeons, and from Shs100,000 to Shs340,000 for paraprofessionals, is not only ambiguous but also unrealistic.

This, they said, will push many qualified practitio...