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Last Updated on: 28th November 2020, 07:49 pm
“They (those MPs) find it easy to shout about COVID which came yesterday,” Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said.
Lira—28, November 2020: Uganda’s Health Minister has bashed some critics who have been claiming she pocketed millions of Covid-19 relief funds.
After Covid-19 first case was confirmed in Uganda in March this year, government beseeched Ugandans, foreigners, including corporate companies to donate resources in a bid to help her curb the pandemic.
Billions of shillings were raised, hundreds of powerful vehicles donated, tonnes of posho and beans, thousands of litres of cooking oil, among others were donated for the cause.
Nine months now, government is yet to officially account for these donations, especially monetary donation. This delay has raised concerns from some Ugandans who have often asked “where are billions donated for Covid-19”.
One of the key persons in government (Ministry of Health), Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, has informally been asked to account. Another person, the Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine–who’s the accounting officer of the Ministry is yet to tell Ugandans were “bigger percentage of the money has gone”.
Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, meanwhile, has dismissed allegations from some people that she is using money meant for combating the fast spreading Covid-19 pandemic to fund her political campaigns.
Dr Aceng who took a centre stage in the fight against the dreadful virus that has so far claimed more than 170 lives, is currently searching for votes for the Lira City Woman MP seat in the 11th parliament.
She’s competing with the current and the outgoing Lira district Woman MP, Joy Atim Ongom of Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC).
Featuring during an early morning premium talk show on Lango’s favourite radio, QFM 94.3, the trained paediatrician termed the allegations “as wild and ill-conceived at this critical moment”.
Critics say the Minister is wooing hearts of voters “with free-flowing cash and other goods” they claim is enough to prove “she stretched her hands into the Covid-19 accounts”.
With her soft speaking trademark as described by TND News’ media partner, QFM94.3, Aceng also took a swipe at some MPs who have been pocketing constituency funds meant to facilitate some activities.
“They (those MPs) find it easy to shout about COVID which came yesterday,” Dr Aceng said.
The Minister highlighted she has been able to influence a number of policy issues which have improved the health sector countrywide, and in particular, Lango sub-region.
She boasts of acquiring intensive care unit (ICU) equipment with 10 allocated to Lira Regional Referral Hospital, the HPV vaccine for women of childbearing age aimed at preventing cancer of the cervix, which kills hundreds of women in Uganda.
By TND News & QFM94.3
