Health workers in Uganda oppose censure of minister

Health workers under the Uganda Medical Workers Union (UMWU) have opposed a move by legislators to censure the Minister of Health, Jim Muhwezi over the alleged mismanagement of money from the Global Fund on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The Chairman of UMWU, Apollo Nyangasi told Xinhua on Tuesday that the move to censure the Health Minister Jim Muhwezi was uncalled especially when the government probe team has not come up with a report implicating Muhwezi over mismanagement of the money.

He noted that the health workers are not happy about the censure move and warned that continued pressure on the minister may lead to unnecessary tension among the health workers.

He said that the health ministry had achieved major targets in its strategic objectives and mission under Muhwezi's leadership.

"The health minister has done everything to ensure that the ministry continues to perform well. And for this we still think he is doing well and therefore there is no reason to censure him," said Nyangasi.

Meanwhile legislators are sharply divided over the call to censure Minister Muhwezi.

While opposition members of parliament were eager to sign the censure petition, legislators from the ruling National resistance Movement vowed not to sign unless the government's inquiry declares him guilty.

Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi was quoted on Tuesday by the state owned newspaper, the New Vision as saying that if the censure was based on the Global AIDS Fund, it should wait for the outcome of the probe.

"Some people may throw a stone in the bush to discover how we are likely to react. I am a professional and can not depend on speculation," Nsibambi said.

The Global Fund suspended its five grants to Uganda due to " evidence of serious mismanagement by Project Management Unit under the Ministry of Health."

Source: Xinhua