Health Minister, Jane Ruth Aceng must have had the longest weekend not because Uganda was hit by another pandemic or COVID-19 cases skyrocketed but she has been under fire for going against what she preaches.
Aceng has received social media criticism after pictures emerged showing her meeting a group of people in Lira while she was not wearing a face mask. Many of her critics claimed she was holding a political rally hence demanding for her immediate arrest.
While addressing the media today, Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said the call to arrest Aceng is beyond them.
“This issue is beyond us. It’s the Prime Minister’s office that has to take action if the minister flouted any guidelines to curb the spread of COVID-19,” Enanga said.
On Monday, Aceng responded to the criticism through her social media channels. Aceng said she did not wear a mask because it was not a political rally. She said the meeting was meant to distribute facemasks to the people of Amoro Sub County, Lira district. “They got excited when they heard about face masks, and specifically the Minister for health whom they call ‘mama Corona’ and rushed to see me. They were difficult to control as seen in the picture as many wanted to take pictures and also get masks from me,” she wrote.