The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has sounded the alarm over a series of escalating health challenges, calling for immediate government intervention to protect the country’s healthcare system. Key concerns include the devastating impact of USAID’s funding withdrawal, the ongoing Ebola outbreak, the deteriorating health of Dr. Kizza Besigye, and the need for fair remuneration for Associate Consultants. UMA President, Dr. Herbert Luswata, urged authorities to take swift and decisive action to prevent a full-scale healthcare collapse, warning that “a nation that neglects its health workers is a nation that gambles with the lives of its people. Without urgent intervention, Uganda risks a healthcare catastrophe that will be felt for generations.”
The association expressed deep concern over the recent halt in USAID funding, which has led to the termination of over 3,000 healthcare workers, crippling essential services. Millions of Ugandans living with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis now face uncertainty as life-saving treatment programs remain in jeopardy. UMA is urging the Ministry of Health to present a supplementary budget to Parliament, prioritizing the reinstatement of salaries and the procurement of critical medications to sustain HIV and TB care.
With the country battling an Ebola outbreak, UMA commended the government’s response but condemned the non-payment of health workers who played a crucial role in containing the previous outbreak. Reports indicate that frontline workers at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital have yet to receive their promised allowances, dampening morale at a time when their expertise is needed most. UMA insists that immediate compensation is necessary to sustain the efforts of medical personnel currently engaged in combating the virus.
The association also raised alarm over the declining health of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition figure and fellow medical professional, currently detained in prison. Citing constitutional rights and international health standards, UMA has demanded a full medical report and called for his immediate transfer to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialized treatment. The association reaffirmed its ethical duty to protect all patients, regardless of their legal status, and vowed to monitor the situation closely.
In a final appeal, UMA welcomed the government’s decision to recognize specialists as Associate Consultants but stressed that this title change must be matched with fair remuneration. The association is pushing for the implementation of new salary structures in the 2025/2026 budget, warning that failure to do so could result in an exodus of skilled professionals. As Uganda grapples with these pressing health issues, UMA remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the rights of medical workers and ensure quality healthcare for all citizens.
