Why Museveni could declare State of Emergency in Uganda

juma chrispinus

November 2, 2017 10:29 AM

Mr Museveni was forced to cancel his journey to Dubai at last minute.

Ugandan President Mr Yoweri Museveni’s administration has threatened to declare a State of Emergency in the latest scheme to suppress plans by doctors to go on strike.

On Wednesday, BBC's Focus on Africa reported that the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) was considering calling off their imminent strike after President Yoweri Museveni reportedly threatened to declare a state of emergency and arrest them if they down their tools.

Earlier, medics in Uganda had announced a plan to go on strike citing poor working environment and poor pay and that the strike would commence on November 6 should Museveni’s fail to raise raise their salaries and related remunerations.

Mr Museveni on Tuesday held a meeting with representatives of medical workers at State House Entebbe, the reported.

Uganda’s Minister for Primary Health Care, Joyce Moriku Kaducu, told the press that the doctors, during the meeting, accepted to call off the strike.

“We had a successful meeting with the doctors accepting to calling off their industrial action but rather focus on dialogue with Ministry of Health and other stakeholders,” Ms Kaducu said.

Later the doctors would not back off from their initial plans. UMA President, Dr Ekwaro Obuku confirmed that the plans to have the strike are still ongoing.

“The president threatened to call a state of emergency and arrest the doctors to take them back to work but in my interpretation this indicated how important we doctors are in service delivery,” Dr Obuku said.

He added: “We did not agree to call off the strike but further dialogue with the president. We shall have an emergency general assembly on November 6 to make a decision on the matter.”

As part of their demands, the doctors want government to review their salaries which would see an intern doctor’s salary rise to Shs8.5 million from the current Shs960,000 (about Ksh27,286) before tax.

They also want a medical officer or teaching assistant to be paid UGsh15million, be given a 2-bedroom house and a 2.5cc vehicle.

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