Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Dr. Herbert Luswata has been elected as the new president of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), with Prof. Frank Asiimwe assuming the role of vice president. Dr. Luswata secured 57 percent of the votes in the election held on November 11, surpassing his rival, Dr. Othiniel Musana, who received 47 percent.
According to Dr. Mark Andrew Muyanga, the newly appointed UMA publicity secretary, Dr. Luswata garnered 287 votes, while Dr. Musana received 253 votes. The voting, conducted both online and physically on November 12, included participants at Silver Springs Bugolobi.
The UMA holds elections every two years, and Dr. Luswata previously served as the Secretary General in the preceding team, led by President Dr. Edith Nakku Joloba. Dr. Nakku assumed the presidency after Dr. Samuel Oledo’s impeachment in 2022, who did not complete his term in office.
Dr. Oledo faced impeachment following allegations of making a political statement by organizing individuals in clinical coats to kneel before President Museveni, endorsing him for the 2026 Presidential candidacy. Prior to this incident, Dr. Oledo led doctor strikes advocating for improved welfare and salaries for health workers, resulting in the government’s commitment to enhancing salaries for scientists and health workers.
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The new UMA leadership takes charge amidst concerns from the Ministry of Health and the cabinet regarding the perceived lack of significant improvement in the quality of care at public health facilities, despite salary enhancements for health workers.
