Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Clarifies Remarks, Affirms Nurses' Leadership Credentials

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has strongly defended his remarks concerning the nursing profession, explaining that his comments were intended to celebrate nurses’ professional competence and advanced academic credentials.

Speaking before the House, Tayebwa addressed discussions stemming from a Tuesday parliamentary session. The debate had originally been prompted by concerns raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, regarding a nurse heading the Pharmacy Department at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Tayebwa explained that his intervention was meant to challenge the outdated perception that a nursing background makes someone unsuitable for administrative leadership. He emphasized that many nurses hold advanced degrees, including PhDs, and should not be undermined.

The Deputy Speaker revealed that the controversy was fueled by a misleadingly edited video circulated on social media by journalist Paul Ssebaduka. According to Tayebwa, crucial segments where he praised nurses and highlighted their qualifications were deliberately clipped out to portray him as demeaning to the profession.

He described the targeted editing as deliberate blackmail that subjected both him and his family to unwarranted online abuse. In response to the malicious circulation, Tayebwa confirmed that he has engaged the Uganda Communications Commission to address the matter and demanded a public apology from the journalist involved.

For more details on this development, read the full report on the Parliament of Uganda.