Health Ministry scoffs at Activists attacking Dr. Atwine

By Ben Musanje

22^nd July 2021

The Ministry of Health has dismissed calls by activists for the resignation of Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine.

Ministry Spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyona says it is because of Dr. Atwine’s credible performance that she was re-appointed by the President, and has described the the activists as attention seekers.

The Union of Human Rights Defenders Uganda has called for the resignation of the Dr. Atwine for alleged mismanagement of the COVID-19 situation in the country.

According to the activists, Atwine has failed to account for funds and items donated to the Ministry during the first lockdown in her capacity as the accounting officer of her Ministry.

Addressing journalists at the People’s Government offices along Katonga Road on Thursday morning, Annet Namata commonly known as Nalongo Mwafrika, one of the activists, said that Atwine must also resign for exposing medical personnel to the virus when the Ministry failed to avail them with Personal Protective Equipment yet these were available in the National Medical Stores.

Namata gave Dr. Atwine an ultimatum of 24 hours to resign or else they mobilise and stage peaceful protests to express their dissatisfaction towards her.

Namata says that the government has placed Ugandans under lockdown without a clear strategy on how the country is going to survive.