UMA members seek State clearance to treat Bobi Wine

Medical practitioners under the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) Sunday expressed willingness to offer specialised treatment to Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, who is fighting for his life in military detention, after being tortured by members of Uganda’s security last week.

The medics say they received a request from the legal team of Mr Kyagulanyi to render support with the specialised medical care, which he urgently needs to save his life.

They, however, say that can happen after being cleared by the State.

“We are more than ready, only waiting for clearance from the State. Hon. Kyagulanyi urgently requires highly specialised treatment outside the confines of military walls where it is uncertain if such skills exist. In this regard, we have alerted our colleagues in the Diaspora in the event medical evacuation for further care is warranted,” the statement signed by Dr Ekwaro Obuku, the UMA president, reads in part.

It adds: “We have constituted a team of highly trained Medical super specialists on standby 24/7 for Hon Kyagulanyi (and all victims of torture in custody) including as requested by the Legal Team): nephrologists (kidney disease), gastroenterologists (Liver, gut disease), cardiologists (heart disease) toxicologists/pathologists (Poisonous substances), trauma Surgeons (severe Injuries), neurosurgeons (brain problems),anaesthesiologists (critical care).”

UMA that brings together over 6,000 doctors in Uganda aims at maintaining highest levels of medical ethics, professionalism and members’ welfare, according to Dr Obuku.

In a statement titled: 9th health sector barometer: Statement on medical care for victims of torture, the medics say torture in custody is a big problem in Uganda.

“UMA notes with grave concern the alleged use of torture by government security agents on Ugandans arrested for purportedly being involved in the recent unfortunate pre-election violence in Arua,” the statement reads.

The medics say: “Between 2012 and 2016, the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) received over 1,000 allegations of torture while in police custody. Yet Uganda is one of only 10 African countries with anti-torture legislation and signatory to the United Nations Torture Convention.”

The leadership of UMA in the statement implored members (Doctors in Uganda) to abide by the World Medical Association (WMA) statement on torture and use their medical experience to support torture victims in accordance with article 14 of the UN Convention against Torture; support and facilitate data collection (document cases) at the national level in order to monitor the implementation of the State’s obligation to provide rehabilitation services.

 They reaffirmed their total commitment to the WMA policies adopted previously.

The policies include; the Declaration of Tokyo laying down Guidelines for Physicians Concerning Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Relation to Detention and Imprisonment  (1975);  the Declaration of Hamburg concerning Support for Medical Doctors Refusing to Participate in, or to Condone, the Use of Torture or Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (1997) and the Resolution on the Responsibility of Physicians in the Documentation and Denunciation of Acts of Torture or Cruel or Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (2003).