The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has expressed significant concern regarding the Equal Opportunities Tribunal’s ruling on July 30, 2025, which mandates that non-medical health professionals must not be excluded from administrative and policy leadership positions.
The tribunal’s decision stated that “the persistent exclusion of non-MBChB health professionals from administrative and policy leadership positions amounts to systematic discrimination and contravenes Articles 21, 32, and 40 of the Constitution.”
The UMA argues that this ruling jeopardizes the public and fosters a sense of entitlement among non-doctors, which they believe is detrimental to the medical profession.
Dr. Herbert Luswata, President of the UMA, emphasized that equating the qualifications of other health professionals to a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) for leadership roles, such as hospital directors, is misguided.
“The tribunal’s apparent misunderstanding of the qualifications required for these roles is alarming,” Dr. Luswata stated.
He further noted that leadership positions in hospitals demand specialized training, as outlined in the scheme of service, job descriptions, and personal specifications, which clearly distinguish these roles based on the need for advanced medical expertise.
The UMA has urged the attorney general to appeal the tribunal’s ruling to safeguard the integrity of the medical profession.
Dr. Luswata also encouraged all health workers to pursue the necessary qualifications and training to attain their desired roles in the medical field without seeking shortcuts.
“We encourage all health workers to acquire the requisite qualifications and training to achieve their career goals responsibly,” he said.
