The High Court Deputy Registrar Sarah Langa has adjourned to November 23, the hearing of application filed by Uganda Medical Workers Union (UMWU) seeking to stop doctors from negotiating with government about pay increases.
In the application, UMWU wants court to stop Uganda Medical Association President Ekwaro Ebuku and workers MP Sam Lyomoki from discussing the matter until it is resolved.
In the plaint, UMWU says the doctors umbrella association has no authority to represent the medical workers’ interests.
However in his response after rescheduling of hearing of the application, Dr. Ebuku said the Union ‘collapsed long time ago’, and that most doctors abandoned it and joined the UMA.
“It doesn’t exist, you can’t compare union to association because even when the union staged its strikes none of the doctors showed up,” Dr. Ebuku said.
He implored government to address their concerns expeditiously, adding that the doctors are ready to call off strike if members are contented with the government’s offer.
Two weeks ago, doctors under UMA convened a general assembly and agreed to go on strike, protesting government’s failure to increase their salaries and improve their welfare.
And just last week a team of six ministers and other senior government officials met with the UMA members to negotiate for the suspension of industrial action, in vain.
