Uganda Medical Association Explained

Uganda Medical Association
Abbreviation:UMA
Type:Professional association
Status:Nonprofit organization
Purpose:Medicine in Uganda
Headquarters:Kampala
Region Served:Uganda
Membership:~1,500
Language:English
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Dr. Herbert Luswata
Leader Title1:Vice President
Leader Name1:Dr. Edith Nakku
Affiliations:World Medical Association
Website:Homepage

The Uganda Medical Association (UMA), is a registered non-governmental, professional organization that brings together all the qualified and duly registered medical doctors in Uganda.[1]

Location

The association maintains its headquarters on the Second Floor, Kati House, at 2 Kyaggwe Road, in the central business district of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda.[2] The geographical coordinates of the headquarters of UMA are:0°19'09.0"N, 32°34'33.5"E (Latitude:0.319167; Longitude:32.575972).

Overview

According to the Association's website, UMA has five focus areas: (1) to "contribute to universal access to health and health care" (2) to "promote professional ethical standards among medical doctors in Uganda" (3) to "promote the welfare of medical doctors in Uganda"[3] (4) to mobilize doctors to join and encourage them to actively participate in the Association’s activities and (5) to strengthen the financial base of the Association.[4]

History

The Uganda Medical Association was founded in 1964 and functioned, in the beginning, as a branch of the British Medical Association.[5]

Governance

The policies of the Association are set by the National Governing Council (NGC), a 55-member group, representing all medical and surgical sub-specialties and doctor groups, including medical and surgical interns, senior house officers and retired doctors.[6]

Management

The Association is managed by a nine-member Executive Committee (EC), elected for two-year terms. The 2021-2023 EC is led by the President of the Association, Samuel Oledo,[7] deputized by Dr. Edith Nakku .

Dr. Herbert Luswata has been elected as the new president of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), with Prof. Frank Asiimwe chosen as the vice president. The election, which took place on November 11, saw Dr. Luswata secure 57% of the votes, while his opponent, Dr. Othiniel Musana, received 47%, according to UMA records.

Dr. Oledo faced impeachment following allegations that he made a political statement by orchestrating a demonstration where individuals in clinical attire knelt before President Museveni, endorsing him for the 2026 presidential candidacy. Before this incident, Dr. Oledo had led doctors in strikes advocating for improved welfare and salaries for health workers. Under his leadership, the government took steps to enhance salaries for scientists and health workers.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 22 August 2018 . Uganda Medical Association Petitions Parliament On Welfare of Ugandan Doctors . 2016 . Howwe.biz . Kampala.
  2. Web site: 22 August 2018 . Contacts of Uganda Medical Association . 22 August 2018 . Uganda Medical Association . Uganda Medical Association . Kampala.
  3. Web site: 22 August 2018 . Court Dismisses Doctors Strike Case . . 9 January 2018 . and Michael Odeng . Barbra Kabahumuza . Kampala.
  4. Web site: Uganda Medical Association: Priority Areas of Focus. Uganda Medical Association . Uganda Medical Association . 22 August 2018 . 22 August 2018 . Kampala.
  5. Web site: 22 August 2018 . About Uganda Medical Association . 22 August 2018 . Kampala . Uganda Medical Association . Uganda Medical Association.
  6. Web site: 22 August 2018 . Uganda Medical Association: Composition of the National Governing Council, As At March 2018 . March 2018 . Uganda Medical Association . Uganda Medical Association . Kampala.
  7. Web site: Police blocks doctors from marching to Parliament . . The Independent . newspa . 31 December 2021 . 31 December 2021 . London.