After several pictures and a video of Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng with her supporters were leaked to social media, the Minister had been on the hot seat. In the videos and pictures, the minister is seen doing the opposite of social distancing topped up with not wearing a mask.
She was apparently holding a political rally in Lira district and this has caused many people to criticize her because it looks like she is not practicing what she is preaching to Ugandans.
Political analyst,Dr. Anas Kaliisa called upon Dr. Aceng to tender her resignation letter as soon as possible noting that such action is giving a different impression to the public which will at the end incite the public to do otherwise.
He noted that her action also undermine government effort in the fight against the pandemic and the guidelines that her ministry developed and publicized to protect the public from the virus.
Opposition Chief Whip, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said that the Minister has made Ugandans to questioned whether the disease is dangerous or not.
He noted that there is hypocrisy in the side of the government because it has refused to declare the state of emergency so that the country is given ample time to fight the pandemic.
“You can’t go against the major policy of the pandemic you have announced yourself, If she made a mistake, the first thing is to resign, if is not a mistake. She should withdraw the all the regulations published in the media, “he said.
“There is no way of arresting Ssemujju for holding a smaller meeting and on the same day a minister of state for investment Evelyn Anite is calling even a bigger meeting in Koboko and in Lira the minister of health is also doing the same by holding a public gathering,”he said.
He noted that Aceng’s action has worsened the situation especially during this period when the country is heading to 2021 general elections noting there will be no observance of ministry of health guidelines against coronavirus.
“You lock arcades ,you stop boda boda riders from ferrying the passengers but you are on the road in a procession, a minister of health! The one who publicized covid19 regulations,” Semujju questioned.
However the Minister has come out to deny holding a political rally but she was apparently launching the distribution of masks. “I would like to reiterate that I was not holding a political rally. I was launching the distribution of face masks in Aromo Sub county and training people on how to properly use the masks on Friday 10 July 2020,”she explained.
She further appealed all Ugandans to always wear face masks, maintain social distance and wash your hands with soap regularly to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
