An assessment of veterinary diagnostic services needs in Uganda

The government of Uganda has experienced continued fiscal challenges from late 1980s to date. Consequently, the provision of veterinary services was liberalized and decentralized. This exposed veterinary service provision to many actors without adequate regulation and supervision. With the resurgence of infectious diseases, increased economic and health risks especially to the rural poor, there is the need to understand relational patterns of actors to ensure good governance and address emerging and re-emerging animal diseases risks. A questionnaire surveillance was undertaken in the district veterinary service centres of Uganda to assess the status of veterinary diagnostic services and evaluate their influence in the delivery of clinical and preventive veterinary services. The structure of veterinary diagnostic services in the districts in Uganda is still lacking. There is need to improve veterinary diagnostic service delivery in the districts in an attempt to improve the control of livestock diseases in Uganda to ultimately improve livestock production and productivity and hence household income. Key words: Veterinary diagnostic services, Uganda.