The ministry of health through its spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona, has condemned attacks on their officials by the members of the public.
“We would like to condemn continued malicious attacks on Ministry of Health officials by groups of persons who have been politically organised with an intent to defame,” Ainebyoona said.
Ainebyoona’s remarks follow an incident on Monday morning where a casket with protest messages demanding for the resignation and cancellation of Dr Diana Kanzira Atwiine as ministry’s Permanent Secretary over alleged misappropriation of COVID-19 funds. The casket was dropped at Clement Hill Road, leading to Mulago National referral hospital by unknown protestors.
Ainebyoona however says the attacks are politically driven with intentions to cause defamation against officials in the ministry. He said ministry works as a team and that is why there are various decision-making committees.
President Museveni at the beginning of this month appointed the PS to different ministries and Dr Atwiine was reappointed PS to MoH but the news of her reappointment was never welcomed by sections of the public who accuse her of mishandling of COVID-19 funds that were meant to procure ICU beds in COVID-19 treatment hospitals, pay allowances for healthworkers as well as buying other personal protective equipments.
Ainebyoona in a statement has appeal to security to expedite investigations into these groups peddling attacks against some official in the ministry.
“We appeal to security and enforcement agencies to interest themselves and investigate the groups behind this smear campaign targeting individuals within the Ministry,” he said.
