The Ministry of Health has clarified that Dr Robert Candia, a doctor at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, remains at work despite a public declaration by State Minister for Health Anifa Bangirana Kawooya that he should be suspended.
The clarification follows a video circulating on social media showing Kawooya confronting Candia during an official engagement at the hospital over what she considered inappropriate conduct.
In the footage, the minister questions the doctor for addressing her while keeping his hands in his pockets. She subsequently declares that he is suspended, repeatedly emphasising the disciplinary action as Candia is guided away from the scene.
The confrontation triggered widespread criticism, with members of the public and medical practitioners questioning the circumstances under which the minister announced the suspension and calling for established disciplinary procedures to be followed.
In a statement issued on Friday, Dr Diana Atwine, the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, said disciplinary matters involving public officers must be handled in accordance with established government procedures.
The statement clarified that Candia had not been formally removed from his duties, despite the minister’s declaration captured in the video.
The Uganda Medical Association (UMA), which represents medical practitioners, had earlier condemned the incident and called for the purported suspension to be withdrawn.
UMA president Frank Asiimwe criticised the public confrontation, arguing that health facilities should maintain professional standards and prioritise patient care rather than become venues for public disputes between officials and health workers.
“Health facilities are centres of clinical science, intense human distress and lifesaving interventions. They are not stages for political posturing nor are they areas for roadside court-martials aimed at scoring cheap public relations points,” Asiimwe said.
He called for an end to what he described as political theatrics in health facilities, stressing the need for government officials to address concerns about staff conduct through appropriate institutional channels.
The incident has also reignited debate about the conduct of government officials during inspection tours, particularly instances in which public servants are reprimanded in front of cameras over alleged poor performance or misconduct.
Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara is among the officials who have attracted attention for conducting filmed visits to government institutions and confronting public officers over alleged inefficiencies and failures in service delivery.
Supporters of the approach argue that publicly exposing shortcomings can strengthen accountability and pressure officials to improve service delivery. Critics, however, say public reprimands before allegations have been properly investigated risk undermining established administrative procedures and the rights of affected employees.
The dispute involving Candia has highlighted questions about the distinction between a minister expressing dissatisfaction with a public officer’s conduct and the formal exercise of disciplinary authority.
Established procedures are intended to ensure that allegations of misconduct are handled through the appropriate administrative channels, with the relevant authorities determining the facts and taking any necessary action.
The Ministry of Health’s clarification indicates that Candia continues to perform his duties, notwithstanding the minister’s announcement during the hospital visit.
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