Members of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) have drawn up a motion seeking to censure their president, Dr Samuel Odongo Oledo, for leading a team of about 50 doctors to kneel before President Museveni, asking him to contest again come 2026.
Some members of UMA, which has disassociated itself from the actions of Dr Oledo, said he is not fit to lead them and his actions are a disgrace to their body.
In a statement released moments after Dr Oledo’s actions, UMA said they always engage with President Museveni in formal, professional ways and not by kneeling.
“Uganda Medical Association has always engaged with the President Museveni through formal, professional ways including appreciating him through our Annual Awards. The act of kneeling by Dr Oledo and the team doesn’t represent Modus Operandi of the Association,” they said.
And now it has emerged that the members of UMA are gathering signatures to start the censure of their president.
In the censure motion, a copy of which has been seen by the Kampala Report, the doctors accuse Dr Oledo, who is a sworn ruling party member, of serving selfish interests and not those of the body.
Dr Joel Mirembe, a Member of UMA National Governing Council, also condemned Dr Oledo’s action.
“He did not kneel because he is passionate about doctors’ welfare and the healthcare of the common person. He knelt because he is eyeing something, personal looting from Kaguta Museveni. We dissociate ourselves from such disgusting antics,” she said.
On Saturday, during the Patriotism For Youth and Investment Symposium, at Kololo Independence Grounds, the doctors led by the president of Uganda Medical Association (UMA), Dr Samuel Odongo Oledo knelt down to thank Museveni for his ‘visionary leadership”.
During his speech, Oledo said Museveni had done a great job in transforming Uganda’s health system as well as improving the welfare of medical workers
But the action of the medical doctors has drawn public condemnation, with top most politicians weighing in.
Alliance for National Transformation president Maj Gen (Rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu described the doctors’ action as a sign of state capture.
“It is going to take God’s hand to restore people back to a sense of self-worth and dignity after the regime change. The levels of degradation & debasement in the peoples’ psyche (including the educated) is deep. It has reached frightening levels,” he said.
Dr Kizza Besigye said: “If this is true, I am very ashamed to to a member of the profession! The 37yr NRM/M7 Junta has brought Ug’s healthcare system to its knees. This would beg the question whether our profession has also gone to the dogs or is it a disgraceful leadership?”
Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura tweeted: ”In the Sudan revolution, Doctors are at the forefront facing off with the military, treating those wounded in the struggle for democracy. Keeping a tally of the dead & telling the world of the toll. In Uganda, they are on their knees begging da despot to oppress us even further! Tomorrow, you will hear them laying down their tools for better working conditions. Oh Uganda!”