The Leader of Opposition in the Parliament Winnie Kiiza called on the Executive to find money to meet the needs of Doctors who have been on strike for a week now. She addressed journalists at the Parliament building. “Their strike is not demanding what is not affordable. Their strike calls for better service delivery which we have all Ugandans been craving for.” Said, Winnie Kiiza – Leader of Opposition. The doctors insisted that the industrial action would continue until the government increased their pay. On Thursday last week, the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng directed the doctors to return to work. But Winnie Kiiza said that even if the doctors returned to work it might not help much since the Health Sector was broken. She urged the government to focus on fixing the whole system. “They have no equipment to use, they will reach the hospitals they are no drugs, and those who want to do surgeries the equipment is not there.” Said the Leader of Opposition.

Kiiza also urged the government to get its priorities right. “It’s disturbing that close to two weeks now the Ugandan Medical Practitioners plight has not been attended to. What is also important to note is the Uganda has left the Health Sector to the donors.” Said the Leader of Opposition. Even an Acting Forum for Democratic Party President Alice Alaso advised the government to lay before the Parliament a Supplementary Budget request to cater for the demands of the doctors. “Our proposal is they should immediately pass a Supplementary Budget and if they cannot structure it as salaries, structure it as lamp sum allowance facilitation.” Said the Acting President, FDC.

The Cabinet met earlier and later the Office of the Prime Minister issued a statement that the Cabinet resolved to form a Committee to start negotiations with the striking doctors. The Committee consisted of officials from the Ministries of Health, Finance, Public Service and Attorney General or his representative.