Estranged President of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), Dr. Samuel Oledo has snubbed an order from his fellow leaders to step down from office.
On Wednesday, the UMA Secretary-General, Dr. Herbert Luswata and Vice President, released a statement, explaining that Oledo has been tasked to step down, to provide room for the body’s top organ to investigate the matter.
The National Executive Council (NEC) and legal representatives from Center for Health Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) reportedly wrote to Oledo, asking that he allows for investigations into his perceived misconduct.
They stated that they would investigate the matter and respond within five days.
However, Oledo has shunned the directive and vowed not to resign or step aside on grounds that he did nothing wrong by kneeling before the President to honor his efforts in addressing the plight of health workers.
Oledo says the President has fought for better remuneration of health workers since he pledged to do so.
In the 2022/2023 Financial Year, the government approved 400 bn shillings to cater for salaries of doctors, nurses and consultants among others.
Speaking to our reporter Rashidah Nakaayi on Wednesday afternoon, Oledo asserted that he will not give up his office for expressing political views to the chairman of a party he subscribes to and neither will he apologize.
He says considering the remuneration of health workers, it was only logical to appreciate the President.
“One would be a witch not to appreciate the president. It is not news that I am an NRM member. I have previously participated in the EALA race, Vice Chairman – NRM – Northern Region and that was before I stood for President, UMA. Anything that subjects one to elections will have politics unless someone has been appointed,” he said.
He further explained that he was encouraged by other doctors to appreciate the head of state, because he has heard their voice and besides the better pay, all 14 regional Referral Hospitals in Uganda have been equipped with necessary amenities like the CT scan.
“CT scans are now in 14 Referral hospitals and these machines are very expensive. Imagine when a patient gets an accident and they need to scan the head, a patient has to part with about 300,000 shillings to get it. Previously patients would have to move longer journeys to access the machine at isolated health facilities,” said Oledo.
He adds: “I will not participate in their theater plays. I scoff at whoever expects me to, or thinks I have resigned. This is not the first time I have knelt before the public, I knelt before when I was begging for better pay, how come no one complained then?” he wondered.
