President Museveni commits Shs125bn to Medical Doctors' SACCO, orders shift to Preventive Healthcare

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has committed Shs125 billion as seed capital for a medical doctors' Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) to improve their welfare and support further education. The investment aims to address financial pressures that have led to moonlighting among doctors. This announcement was made during the 10th Uganda Medical Association (UMA) Grand Doctors' Conference at Soroti University on November 13, 2026.

President Museveni has also directed the health sector to prioritize disease prevention, emphasizing that about 80 percent of illnesses in Uganda are preventable. He identified immunization, proper nutrition, personal hygiene, safe water, sanitation, and public education as key interventions to reduce the disease burden. The President cited Uganda's progress in eliminating measles and polio as examples of the effectiveness of preventive healthcare.

The President announced a tax exemption for medical personnel, similar to that enjoyed by security officers, including soldiers, police, and prison officers. He stated that medical personnel should not be taxed, saying, "Let them retain their current earnings." This move aims to improve the welfare of medical professionals and encourage them to focus on their work in government health facilities.

President Museveni challenged medical professionals to develop a cost-effective national health strategy that emphasizes prevention over treatment. He warned against consuming mold-contaminated groundnuts, which contain harmful substances associated with cancer. The President also urged medical professionals to take health education beyond hospitals by engaging communities through radio programs in local languages.

The President proposed that district health officers dedicate at least one radio program every two weeks to educating the public on disease prevention and healthy living. He cited Uganda's previous public health campaigns against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Guinea worm, and bilharzia as examples of how community mobilization, improved sanitation, safe drinking water, and public awareness can deliver significant health outcomes.

Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo credited President Museveni's leadership and political commitment for the progress made in Uganda's health sector. She emphasized that a healthy population is fundamental to wealth creation, employment, productivity, and socioeconomic transformation. The Vice President applauded the President for championing public health, particularly in the prevention and management of epidemics.

Soroti University Vice Chancellor, Professor Robert Ikoja-Odongo, commended the government for its continued investment in the institution, enabling the completion of an academic block that is now operational. He appealed for additional lecture blocks and laboratory facilities to accommodate the growing student population. The Vice Chancellor also applauded the government for facilitating the training of medical professionals.

Key points

• President Museveni commits Shs125 billion to medical doctors' SACCO to improve their welfare and support further education.
• The President directs the health sector to prioritize disease prevention, emphasizing that about 80 percent of illnesses in Uganda are preventable.
• Medical personnel are exempt from taxes, similar to security officers, to improve their welfare and encourage them to focus on their work in government health facilities.