World Aquaculture Safari 2025

June 24 - 27, 2025

Kampala, Uganda

Add To Calendar 27/06/2025 09:00:0027/06/2025 09:20:00Africa/CairoWorld Aquaculture Safari 2025PROMOTING THE DISCIPLINE OF AQUATIC VETERINARY MEDICINE AMONG EMERGING VETERINARIANSAlbertThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

PROMOTING THE DISCIPLINE OF AQUATIC VETERINARY MEDICINE AMONG EMERGING VETERINARIANS

Alice Namata 1,2, Peter Kalumba1,2, David Kahwa1,2 , Nelly Isyagi2,3, and, Bartolomeo Gorgoglione2,4

 

1 College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Uganda

2 World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association

3African Union Interafrican Bureau of Animal Resources

4Fish Pathobiology and Immunology Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

 

Email: kmataice@gmail.com, kalumba123@gmail.com

 



The minimal involvement of veterinarians with aquatics is a concern for the Uganda’s rapidly expanding commercial aquaculture industry. Fish farmers are concerned about disease insurgence and there are growing issues over antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture, welfare of farmed fish, and aquaculture sector’s compliance to One Health. The trends in Uganda’s aquaculture industry is currently demanding for comprehensive aquatic veterinary services. However, there are limited training opportunities offered through the veterinary school curriculum. The Makerere University World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association Student Chapter (MAK-WAVMA-SC) was established in 2022. Since its establishment, MAK-WAVMA-SC members have been active in boosting opportunities to expose veterinary students to aquatic veterinary medicine, under the supervision of an academic advisor. The WAVMA community has proven to be an excellent resource for nurturing students interested in aquatic veterinary medicine practice. The WebCEPD webinar series introduced MAK-WAVMA-SC members to new topics and advanced technologies in fish health and aquaculture management practices. The MAK-WAVMA-SC also offers an opportunity for local veterinary students interested in aquatic veterinary medicine to interact with other students from other countries, allowing to identify local strengths and weakness. Membership to MAK-WAVMA-SC has been a real eye opener that will improve our ability to practice aquatic veterinary medicine. The John Pitts Award offered through WAVMA to support Student Chapters is an additional WAVMA-SC do benefit from to undertake Student Chapter projects and related educational activities.