Museveni Pledges Shs125bn to Doctors' SACCO, Tax Exemption

On November 13, 2026, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made significant commitments to improve healthcare delivery in Uganda during the 10th Uganda Medical Association Grand Doctors' Conference and Annual General Meeting held at Soroti University. He pledged Shs125 billion in seed capital to establish a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation for medical doctors. This initiative aims to improve the financial welfare of medical professionals, support their further education, and ease financial pressures that have led some doctors to engage in moonlighting.

The conference, which drew over 1,000 participants, brought together medical professionals, government officials, partners, and stakeholders to discuss Uganda's healthcare future and the medical fraternity's role in national development. President Museveni and Vice President Jessica Alupo attended the opening day, which had the theme "Harnessing the Numbers and Quality for Socioeconomic Transformation and Global Health." The President emphasised that improving doctors' welfare is crucial to building a stronger health system, as medical professionals need adequate financial support and opportunities for professional development to deliver quality services.

In addition to the financial commitment, President Museveni announced a tax exemption for medical personnel as part of broader efforts to improve their welfare and strengthen Uganda's healthcare workforce. He challenged the medical fraternity to rethink the country's healthcare strategy by prioritising disease prevention over treatment. The President noted that approximately 80% of illnesses in Uganda are preventable through measures like immunisation, proper nutrition, personal hygiene, access to safe water, sanitation, and public education.

President Museveni cited Uganda's progress in eliminating measles and polio as evidence of the importance of preventive healthcare. He recalled that the national immunisation programme initially targeted six killer diseases responsible for around 96,000 child deaths annually, demonstrating the effectiveness of prevention-focused interventions. The President also identified poor hygiene, inadequate nutrition, early marriages, alcoholism, and unsafe food handling practices as factors contributing to preventable illnesses.

The President cautioned Ugandans against consuming mould-contaminated groundnuts, warning that they contain harmful substances associated with cancer. He called on medical professionals to extend health education beyond hospitals by engaging communities through radio programmes conducted in local languages. President Museveni proposed that district health officers dedicate at least one radio programme every two weeks to educating the public about disease prevention, healthy living, and other public health concerns.

According to President Museveni, a stronger community-based health education approach would enable Ugandans to adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce pressure on hospitals and medical facilities. He reiterated the need for Uganda to strengthen specialised medical skills, improve diagnostic services, and invest in healthcare workers' welfare. The President emphasised that the country needs a comprehensive health strategy combining disease prevention with better access to specialised treatment and improved working conditions for medical personnel.

Meanwhile, Uganda Medical Association President Prof. Frank Asiimwe Rubabinda Jr was recognised for his contribution to the welfare and advocacy of medical professionals. He received the Physician Welfare and Advocacy Champion Award during the UMA Services Awards, highlighting the importance of professional leadership and sustained advocacy in addressing the challenges faced by medical practitioners. The recognition underscores the relationship between doctors' welfare and the quality of healthcare they provide.

Key points

• President Museveni pledges Shs125 billion to establish a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation for medical doctors.
• The President announces a tax exemption for medical personnel to improve their welfare and strengthen Uganda's healthcare workforce.
• President Museveni challenges the medical fraternity to prioritise disease prevention over treatment to improve healthcare delivery in Uganda.