UMMB Outs Five-Year Strategic Plan
The Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB), which serves as the medical arm of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), has presented a five-year Strategic Development Plan 2023-2027). Muzamir Kivumbi, the Acting Executive Secretary of UMMB, led the presentation alongside other UMMB staff members, including Mrs Nakabugo Nooriat (HR & Training Manager), Mrs Nansamba Rukia (Finance Manager), and Mr Wobusimba Amiri (IT & Communications Officer).
The presentation took place in a special sitting of the UMSC National Management Committee, presided over by His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, in the office of Hon. Muhammad Ali Aluma, the UMSC Secretary General. The plan outlined the background of UMMB, its current status, challenges, and future projections concerning Muslim-based healthcare facilities. Currently, UMMB operates health services in 13 regions across Uganda, including Bunyoro, Ankore/Kigezi, Busoga, Elgon, Teso, Karamoja, Toro/Rwenzori, Ankoli, Lango, West Nile, Masaka, Bukedi, and Central.
It oversees 69 health facilities, comprising five (5) General Hospitals, four (4) Health Centres IVs, 41 Health Centres IIIs, 18 Health Centres IIs, and three Health Training Institutions for laboratories, nurses, and midwives. The strategic direction for the next five years includes establishing a well-built Secretariat for UMMB with an adjacent and spacious Medical Store, Firdausi Medical Stores (FMS), responsible for medicine supplies and equipment. Additionally, UMMB aims to expand its network to over 125 health facilities, ensuring that each region has at least one general hospital, and upgrading 80% of the existing Health Centres IIs to Health Centres IIIs by 2026 in line with Health Ministry policies.
Kivumbi requested support, particularly in terms of allocating land for the construction of the UMMB Secretariat, establishing connections with developmental partners in the Muslim world, and fostering a close working relationship with the mother body, UMSC.
The Management Committee members welcomed the plan and emphasized the need for quarterly engagements to exchange ideas about health in the Muslim community. It was also agreed that UMSC would demarcate a plot near the Old Mosque for the construction of the UMMB Secretariat, and UMMB was asked to submit project proposals for presentation to potential donors. In attendance were UMSC departmental heads.
