KUMI-President Yoweri Museveni has applauded Nurses and Midwives across the country for saving the lives of Ugandans.
“We hail you for being a formidable force in ensuring that the sick are cared for until their health is restored to normalcy,” the president said in a speech delivered by the Vice President Maj. Jessica Alupo during celebrations to mark the International Nurses and Midwifery Day in Kumi district yesterday May 23, 2025.
He said their contribution in the whole world cannot be over emphasized and are indeed a critical force in health care delivery. “Every day, nurses and midwives are on the frontlines of administering and evaluating patient treatment, advocating for better facilities and comprehensively moderating progress,” the president said.
He noted that their life is at risk at the stations of duty yet they endeavor to alleviate suffering and save lives; staying in constant communication with doctors and keeping this open dialogue to ensure the quality of care.
He assured the people that as long as the world still exists, babies will continue to be born and midwives will continue playing a vital role in providing care to pregnant mothers before, during and after delivery.
“We commend them for their role and contribution to the multiplication and existence of human beings. We have experienced the care of nurses and midwives in many ways, during epidemics and disease outbreaks in Uganda and we have never been disappointed,” he said.
The said here in Uganda, the above contribution is witnessed by the overall health status of the population that has been steadily improving.
There is significant decline in mortality rates according to the 2022 Uganda Demographic Health Survey, he noted.
“This day is a highlight of the dedicated service that the entire medical fraternity has been offering in the country. It is a great contribution to the growth of our nation because we need to be in good health, if we are to gainfully contribute to the economic growth of our nation,” he said.
Museveni also commended the Uganda Nurses Midwives Council (UNMC) for the great progress shown over the years, working together and advising the government on matters pertaining to Nursing and Midwifery professions.
“We also commend you for raising our banner in the region and on the international scene in regard to the standard of Nursing and Midwifery,”.
He further said the country has been facing challenges including; insecurity in some parts of the country impeding smooth health service delivery, limited resources especially in hard-to-reach areas, disease outbreaks and pandemics but Nurses have been displaying dedication and the will to save life.
“We saw you working tooth and nail, risking your lives to redeem the lives of your brothers and sisters during the tough period of the Covid-19 wave. You are commended for working to the expectations of your profession,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health dr. Diana Atwine also hailed nurses and midwives for their professionalism and assured them that the Government will continue to take deliberate steps to ensure that the health sector of Uganda makes bold leaps ahead of other regional systems in provision of good health service, provision of alternative medications and specialized treatments.
The president of Uganda Nurses and midwives union Justus Cherop condemned the repeated arrests of nurses and midwives whenever a patient’s life was on the line.
“There are sometimes when nurses or midwives are arrested for no reason because many patients die on their way after they have been referred to other health centres for better services, but at the end of the day, they are arrested. It is not good. This issue must be addressed,” Cherop said.
He also advocated for the amendment of the Nurses Act saying Nurses and midwives are working under the Act that was formulated in the 1990s yet we are living in a changing World.
