The government's plan to bring 200 specialist Cuban doctors to work in regional referral hospitals across Uganda received resistance from the medical fraternity. However, the Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda re-affirmed that government would go ahead with the plan explaining that foreigners will improve and strengthen the health sector for the better. “So it is true that government is considering getting some professional reinforcement from a friendly country Cuba.” Said, Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda – Prime Minister. Dr. Rugunda was addressing parliament and said there was no cause for alarm since this would not be the first time Uganda employees foreigners in the health sector as partners. “Cuba helped us to start Mbarara Medical School and has given doctors to Uganda that have proved to be of very high quality.”

State Minister for Health Sarah Opendi previously explained that the 200 doctors would help close the gap since many Ugandan specialist doctors were not willing to work in rural areas. Meanwhile, during a meeting of the Uganda National Nurses and Midwives Union at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, the medical workers anonymously opposed the plan to bring out foreign doctors. “We have to protect our job, even the government of Cuba should be able to know that Ugandan workers have rejected their people.” Nurses and midwives who were discussing issues of their welfare warned the government that if they executed the move they also considered moving to other countries. “They should consider facilitation for the nurses even when we do the special like you are doing weekend coverage as a supervisor; no allowances for that, you keep around through the day, no meals, and no transport refund…” “If they are getting jobs for other people from outside, can they allow nurses to also go out and get paid?” The Union announced their plan of a sit-down strike by June if the government does not come out with a clear plan to enhance their salaries and improve their welfare generally. “We have said come 23rd June if the government does not give us money?”