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Abstract
Paraprofessionals have been seen as the only means of increasing veterinary services in marginal and rural areas of Africa, thereby improving livestock productivity and households’ income. This paper identifies the most influential actors in the process of integrating paraprofessionals into the formal veterinary delivery system, constraints and the best possible approach of integration. The research design adopted in this paper is qualitative. Process Influence Net-Map and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools like pair –wise ranking and matrix scoring were used. Results reveal the key actors in the integration process as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance. The major problems in integration are; lack of political will, inadequate financial allocations and mobilisation, limited number of veterinarians, absence of organized and strong veterinarian and paraprofessional associations, and low level of training among paraprofessionals. The most feasible integration approach is the moderate system; in which the government supervises and controls the activities of paraprofessionals and pays for their services whenever they are hired. To implement the integration process, the veterinary surgeon act and paraprofessional bill needs to be passed in parliament, the Uganda Veterinary Board should be strengthened, more veterinarians and paraprofessionals need to be trained.