The Uganda Medical Association (U.M.A.) has elected Dr. Edith Nakku Joloba as its new president, replacing Dr. Samuel Oledo. Dr. Nakku had been working as the association’s vice president.
Dr. Oledo was impeached on December 18, 2022, during the General Assembly, where 98% of members cast votes of no confidence against him. They also suspended his membership in the association for the next four years.
Dr. Samuel was accused of getting involved in politics, which violates the Uganda Medical Association code of conduct.
Dr. Herbert Luswata, the Association General Secretary said that 98% of the members voted that he had breached Articles 3 and 7 of UMA, while 86% voted that he should with immediate effect be suspended from being a member for four years.
“The Uganda Medical Association dissociates itself from any and all partisan political actions or acts and is constitutionally required to do so. UMA is committed to remaining neutral and serving all Ugandan doctors and the people both in Uganda and globally,” statement reads in part.
Dr. Nakku Joloba will serve as the new president for the remaining term of office.
Trouble for Dr. Oledo stemmed from a statement he made on December 3, 2022, during the Youth Patriotism Symposium at Kololo Independence Grounds, where he requested President Yoweri Museveni to contest for another term in 2026.
On Friday, December 16, 2022, Dr. Oledo petitioned the High Court in Kampala to block his censure. Justice Musa Ssekaana of the Civil Division of the High Court is yet to deliver judgment in this petition. Dr. Oledo was meant to serve a full term of two years.