Health Ministry Calls for Investigations into ‘Smear Campaigns’ Against Officials

The ministry of health has called for investigations into groups behind “smear campaigns” against the ministry’s officials.

This follows an incident where unknown demonstrators dropped a casket near Mulago Hospital with inscriptions demanding the resignation of Dr. Diana Atwine the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.

“COVID-19 is not a profit venture, Dr Diana Atwine must resign now,” the inscriptions on the casket read.

In a statement, the ministry’s public relations officer, Emmanuel Ainebyona condemned the continued attacks on the ministry officials by groups of persons who he says are politically organised with an intent to defame .

Ainebyona says despite the availability of facts and accountability, they have also noted that these groups are not interested in the available facts through known accountability channels.

“We appeal to security and enforcement agencies to interest themselves and investigate the groups behind this smear campaign targeting individuals within the Ministry,” Ainebyona noted.

He says the health Ministry works as a team and that is why there are various decision-making committees such as the Senior Management Committee, Top Management, Strategic Committee, Scientific Advisory Committee, the Vaccine Advisory Committee and National Taskforce.

The ministry in July appealed to the general public to desist from consistently attacking and defaming Ministry of Health officials based on “rumors, fake news and baseless allegations.”

Ainebyona said various social media blogs and online publications had made it a habit to attack and defame officials at the ministry of health during this period of Covid-19 pandemic with fake news, rumors and allegations without any factual basis.

He said these are focused at tainting and tarnishing the image of the individual officials with in the ministry and derail the efforts towards the covid-19 pandemic.

Ainebyona says the Ministry of Health will not be derailed or distracted but rather remain committed to providing care and saving lives during this second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.