Controversial Uganda Medical Association (UMA) President, Dr Samuel Oledo, now says he intends to issue a statement regarding praising President Yoweri Museveni and asking him to stand for the presidency again in 2026.
Oledo, in company of a group of medical practitioners, used the Youth Patriotism Symposium at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala over the weekend to verbally petition President Museveni to run for office in 2026. He also assured him of support from Doctors of Uganda.
“Your excellence, thank you for uplifting us, but now we are requesting you, we have already assessed as doctors that you are still very able, now we beseech you to help us and run again for office so that you are able to secure the future of this country,” Dr Oledo said.
His remarks have since ignited stir in the medical fraternity and the country, with made accusing him of using the association to root for personal benefits.
Dr Herbert Luswata, the General Secretary of the association said on Monday that Oledo didn’t act as a member of the association but rather as a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement party.
He said while the Oledo claimed he was speaking on behalf of doctors, he had only gathered medical students who he lured into escorting him to the event masquerading as doctors.
Turning down media interviews
Whereas reporters and media houses have pressed so hard for a comment from Dr Oledo on the allegations by colleague doctors, their efforts have hit a dead end as he either picks not his calls or turns opts to remain silent. He is yet to comment on the same.
However, on Tuesday, the controversial former contestant for NRM Vice Chairperson, Northern Uganda, told Plus News that he intends to issue an official statement.
“I will issue a statement, mukkakane (calm down),” Oledo told Plus News, sounding as though he was overwhelmed by demands by the media for an explanation.
I will issue a statement, mukkakane (calm down).
Dr Samuel Oledo
Dr Leonard Mutebi, the President of the Uganda Medical Interns United, a faction of medical interns, said since the incident, there has been an ongoing poll among doctors groups who are now signing a petition to have the doctor censored for breaching the principle that the professional body is not supposed to engage in partisan politics.
On the eve of the event, Mutebi says Oledo’s mobilisers were asking colleagues to join them in Kololo as they targeted to have 50 medical students attend. The benefits of attending, he says, were among others, touring the airfield, taking pictures with the president and a small facilitation.
While outbursts continue, UMA is not yet committed to what its next course of action is.
“UMA NEC remains committed to the mandate given to it by all its members and requests the medical fraternity and the public whom U.M.A serves to keep calm as our internal systems handle this matter with utmost care”, the statement which is signed by both the Vice President Edith Nakku Joloba and Luswata reads.
However, Dr Mukuzi Muhereza, the former General Secretary said that going forward, the association needs to do a thorough vetting of who they give the mantle to lead them. He said while they don’t discourage medical workers from having political affiliations, they need a leader who doesn’t mix politics with professional work as UMA is a professional association.
Mukuzi advises that President Oledo should have already come out to issue an apology. Otherwise, he says their constitution allows them to take various actions to reprimand a leader which includes censure.
The Uganda Medical Association has 7,000 members across the country and they will need a general meeting where members agree to reprimand someone.