Fellow Ugandans, we have concluded 2017; a year marked by a handful of successes but also monumental failure by the Museveni/NRM regime. It has been largely a year of belief and uncertainty; of depressing and frightening moments, but as a people of great optimism, we have prevailed all through moments of sadness and pain, and relished our moments of joy, jubilation and rare achievements.
The participation of Uganda Cranes at the Africa Cup of Nations after 39yrs was a joyous moment. Together, we celebrated their successes during qualification and cheered the boys in Gabon. The She Cranes won the 2017 Africa Netball championship following their 2015 World Cup success in Australia.
However, 2017, witnenessed low moments and huge embarrassments. The low moments came with the Doctors strike and the continued mismanagement of the health system by the Museveni regime. The doctors strike was a result of years of ignoring their pleas for better pay and good working conditions.
The state of our healthcare system is appalling: underfunding to the sector, critical shortage of health workers, low pay, severe shortage of tools and equipment for effective diagnostic and treatment, shortage of drugs, lack of quality laboratory services and brain drain.
The biggest casualty of the bad healthcare system is primary and maternal healthcare. This has contributed to high infant and maternal mortality rates in Uganda. We have a duty to protect our expectant mothers and ensure the children they give birth to grow to become responsible citizens. Teachers, Lecturers, Prosecutors , Judges and Magistrates, Local Government leaders went on strike or threatened to strike over poor pay.
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