Veterinary Surgeons Act

Section 1 sets out interpretation: it defines named terms (for example, "board", "licence", "licensed veterinary practitioner", "partner States", "register", "registered veterinary surgeon", "registrar", "veterinary officer"), defines the practice of veterinary surgery, and states how references to qualified veterinary surgeons in other laws are to be construed.

Registers, or copies or extracts certified by the registrar, may be received as evidence in all courts.

The board may issue licences to suitable persons to practise veterinary surgery in specified places when there are insufficient registered veterinary surgeons or licensed practitioners and it is in the public interest; licences must be in prescribed form and subject to conditions and period the board determines.

Registered veterinary surgeons, licensed veterinary practitioners, and registered veterinary surgeons with specified degrees may use protected veterinary titles; registered or licensed practitioners must not use other titles unless their qualifications are recorded or approved; breach of that rule is an offence punishable by a fine up to five thousand shillings.

Persons who are not registered or licensed under the Act are prohibited from using the title or description of veterinary surgeon/practitioner or from practising or representing themselves as veterinary surgeons; contravention is an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding three thousand shillings.

Registered veterinary surgeons and licensed veterinary practitioners are entitled to practise veterinary surgery and to claim reasonable fees; no one may recover such fees unless they are a registered or licensed veterinary practitioner.

Making or causing to be made any false or incorrect entry in the register or its copies.

Gives the board power to hold disciplinary inquiries and cancel or strike off a licence; sets board composition, notice and document rights, entitlement to representation, and procedure if the subject fails to attend.

When holding an inquiry under section 16 the board has the powers of the High Court to summon witnesses, call for production of documents, and examine witnesses and parties on oath; summonses must be signed by the secretary to the board; oaths and affirmations are to be administered by the person presiding over the board.

Persons served with a summons to attend an inquiry under section 16 must obey the summons, answer questions fully (unless they have sufficient cause), and must not wilfully interrupt or insult board members.

Board has disciplinary power to direct the registrar to remove a registered veterinary surgeon's name from the register.

Establishes the Uganda Veterinary Board composed of a chairperson and up to six registered veterinary surgeon members appointed by the Minister by notice in the Gazette; members hold office for the period in their appointment notice and may be reappointed; members may resign in writing to the board secretary; the board may sue and be sued under its name.

The board's findings and decision at an inquiry must be recorded in writing and signed by the person presiding; a licensed veterinary practitioner whose licence is suspended or cancelled must surrender the licence to the board within the time the board directs.

Any person aggrieved by a board direction, order or reprimand may appeal to the High Court within thirty days; the High Court may vary or reverse the board's decision; the Chief Justice may make rules governing such appeals.

Power to apply to board for restoration of licence and restoration of name to the register.

The commissioner of livestock and entomology may, by statutory order, exclude specified treatments, tests or operations from being treated as veterinary surgery; while such an order is in force, the Act does not apply to persons performing those procedures.

Provides an exemption for any person in the service of the Government acting in the ordinary course of his or her duties.

The Minister may make rules generally for better carrying out the provisions of this Act.

Rules for board meetings: the board must meet as necessary; the chairperson convenes meetings and presides when present; members present must elect a temporary chair if the chairperson is absent; majority decisions bind the board and the chairperson (or temporary chair) has a casting vote on ties; a secretary must be appointed to record proceedings; the board may regulate its own procedure.

The secretary to the board is appointed as the veterinary registrar; the registrar must keep a veterinary register in the prescribed form and perform other duties related to the register as prescribed.

Holders of approved veterinary degrees who complete a board‑prescribed internship qualify for registration; the board must require exam and internship for holders of degrees from unrecognised universities and may make byelaws about internships.

Persons entitled to registration may apply to the registrar; the registrar must enter the applicant's name in the register when satisfied and on payment of sixty shillings.

The registrar must issue to every registered veterinary surgeon a certificate of registration in the prescribed form.

The registrar must correct the register and remove names of registered veterinary surgeons in specified circumstances; the registrar may remove or restore names under certain conditions and may inquire by registered letter and remove a name if no reply is received within six months.

The registrar must publish in the Gazette the name, address and qualifications of any person upon registration and annually publish a list of registered veterinary surgeons as at 31 December of the previous year; the Gazette serves as prima facie evidence of registration or non-registration.