U.S. Military offers Veterinary training to Karamajong Youth, treats over 30,000 animals

Karamoja: This year, VETCAP, the U.S. Military Veterinary Civil Affairs Project returned to the Karamoja region of Uganda. U.S. Army service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Functional Specialty Team along with Ugandan veterinarian students from Makerere University and local community animal healthcare workers (CAHW) teamed up to treat over 30,000 animals during six days of treatment.

VETCAP seeks to build a highly trained and skilled veterinary force while directly impacting Uganda's capability to provide for its own animal population. The CAHW students are locals who are trained in basic animal health and then encouraged to use that knowledge to create a sustainable living by treating animals in their communities and villages.
This is the first of a three phase VETCAP sponsored through the collaborative efforts of CJTF-HOA, the Ugandan government and the U.S. Mission Uganda. Classroom instruction consisted of proper assessment, diagnosis and treatment of animals, identifying common causes for disease, prevention and animal husbandry. Vaccines ranged from the treatment and prevention of encephalitis and rabies to the eradication of several forms of intestinal parasites, foot, and skin problems, tick diseases, minor surgical procedures and other miscellaneous treatments.

VETCAP was successful and as a result 31 Community Animal Health Workers (CAHW) where provided with more skills to serve their community. Students who completed the refresher course received certificates of completion, field packs containing veterinary equipment vital to treating livestock, and a supply of starter medication.

The exercise was successful due to local NGOs, Makerere University Students and the UPDF, which provides security in Karamoja to deter cattle rustling.

Last year, the U.S. Army's 418th Civil Affairs Battalion Functional Specialty Team and Delta Company, as well as various NGOs partnered to conduct Veterinary Civic Action Programs and training to veterinary students to address livestock health in Karamoja. 39,000 animals were treated.

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News & Politics

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• VETCAP
• MISSION
• UGANDA+U.S.
• EMBASSY
• UGANDA