The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has elected a new executive leadership, which saw Dr Samuel Oledo elected as the new president, replacing Dr Richard Idro.

To win the slot during the hotly-contested race over the weekend, Oledo beat three other doctors, who included the outgoing association Secretary-General, Dr Mukuzi Muhereza.

Dr Edith Nakku was elected the UMA vice president, replacing Dr Stephen Ataro Ayella. Dr Herbert Luswata replaced Muhereza as the Secretary-General, while Dr Faith Nabushawo was elected the deputy secretary-general, replacing Dr Robert Lubega.

Dr Peter Kavuma was elected the UMA treasurer, Dr William Anzo is the chairperson for development and finance, while Dr. Hillary Aheisibwe is the chairperson in charge of ethics and professionalism.

Dr Andrew Twineamatsiko is the chairperson for publicity and mobilization, while Dr Alone Nahabwe is the chairperson for welfare. Dr Annet Alenyo was voted the chairperson for Continuous Professional Development.

The outgoing UMA Secretary-General congratulated the new executive whose term of office will run for two years (2021 – 2023).

“On behalf of the organizing committee and the (UMA) electoral commission, I would like to congratulate the new National Executive Committee upon their successful election into office,” said Dr Lubega.

Founded in 1964, UMA is a registered non-governmental, professional organization that brings together all the qualified and duly registered medical doctors in Uganda, and it has about 1,500 members. In the beginning, it was formed as a branch of the British Medical Association.

Its major focus of the association is to contribute to universal access to health and health care, promote professional ethical standards among medical doctors in Uganda, promote the welfare of medical doctors in Uganda, mobilize doctors to join and encourage them to actively participate in the association’s activities and to strengthen the financial base of the association.