Dr. Diana Atwine given 24 hours Ultimatum to resign, over alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 funds

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine has been asked to resign for alleged mismanagement of the COVID 19 situation.

Human Rights defenders under the Union of Human Rights Defenders Uganda called for Atwine’s resignation after she 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.  

While addressing journalists at the People’s Government offices along Katonga Road on Thursday morning, one of the activists, Annet Namata alias Nalongo Mwafrika, said that Atwine must also resign for exposing medical personnel to the virus when the Ministry failed to avail them Personal Protective Equipment yet it was available in stores of National Medical Stores.

She gave Dr. Atwine an ultimatum of 24 hours to resign or else they mobilise and stage peaceful protests to express discontent and prompt the government to force her resignation and pay more attention to the challenges facing Ugandans.

The activists have also called out President Yoweri Museveni for re-appointing Atwine after publically criticizing her for defying his directives. Arguing that her re-appointment is a clear indication of Museveni’s reluctance to fight COVID-19. 

According to Namata, government has placed Ugandans under lockdown without a clear strategy on how the country is going to survive. She pointed to several programs that the government has attempted to conduct but performed poorly.

Meanwhile, Phiona Arinitwe, another activist, said the lock-down has taken a huge toll on women especially those who own small scale businesses and are no longer working. Adding that as for girls, staying at home has exposed them to sexual harassment especially defilement. 

She wants the government to fast-track the vaccination exercise and open the country for people to resume work and earn a living.