The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) is mourning the passing of yet another senior doctor due to COVID-19. 

Dr Emmanuel Mukunya who worked as the Principal Medical officer at Nakaseke Hospital died at the Intensive Care Unit of Mulago National Referral Hospital on Monday (July 19). 

The UMA Secretary-General, Dr Mukuzi Muhereza, said:  “We are mourning the passing of a giant in medicine.” 

“He has been a Principal Medical Officer. Selfless guy, very knowledgeable and probably the best human being you would meet,” Muhereza said. 

Earlier, Nakaseke Resident District Commissioner Nayebare Kyamuzigita saiid Mukunya died of COVID-19.

Mukunya’s death comes after the association reported that they had lost 16 doctors to COVID-19 in four weeks. 

In total, more than 100 medical workers have succumbed to the virus since last year. 

UMA called upon doctors to contribute sh100,000 each to help fellow medics access treatment for COVID-19.

"Our doctors and other health workers are dying because they cannot afford the high charges for COVID-19 treatment," Muhereza said earlier.

Uganda has so far registered 90,656 COVID-19 infections. At least 2,392 people have died due to the virus since March last year.