The government is planning to hire about 200 medical specialists from Cuba to fill the gap in the health sector and offer "provide skilled manpower in regional referral hospitals which have failed to have consultants".

The decision comes after a "small government delegation visited the island nation to discuss the issue".

UMA President Dr. Ekwaru Obuku, who strongly criticized the government plan to hire Cuban doctors, set tough conditions for government if it’s to hire the medical specialists from the Caribbean island nation.

He wants the government to pay them the same as domestic physicians at the same level or rank.

Dr. Ekwaru says government should advertise for all the available jobs which these medical specialists are going to fill.

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UMA also said the association is "waiting for credible information from the government for the exact gap to be addressed by the Cuban doctors".

Proposed salary for Cuban doctors

The government proposed $1,500 (about UGX5.5m) for each of the medical specialists from Cuba.

Ugandan medical officers are currently earning UGX1.3m -- a figure which has been revised to UGX3.3m in the enhanced salary structure for public servants submitted to finance ministry.

Last year, Ugandan doctors through their association criticised the government plan to import Cuban medical experts equating the move to “treason”.