The ministry health last Saturday released a press statement in response to circulating reports about COVID monies and supplies. Officials at the ministry feel instead of getting applauded for the outstanding manner in which COVID-19 has been handled, some individuals have instead continued to mislead the public.
The ministry expressed disappointment with the grave omission to adhere to professional media ethics which include among others the fundamental of authenticating information.
The national paper, the New Vision on Saturday ran a story claiming that certain aspects of the pandemic fight were mishandled. The Ministry of Health’s Public relations officer released a statement watering down issues raised in the story.
Uganda has continued to get applauded by the international community for exceptional handling of the pandemic and in a report published by CNN recently, Uganda ranked highest in Africa. However, different concerns have been raised in aspect of the fight against COVID-19 but the ministry says they’re shallow and biased.
“Again, we are disappointed by the shallow and biased reporting. The 20 tents and not only 13 as reported were initially procured for Namboole Non-Traditional Treatment Centre. However, they could not be anchored as this would damage the turf. A decision was therefore taken to reallocate the tents to the Regional Referral Hospitals to create additional space for treatment of COVID-19 patients. So far, the 20 tents have been delivered. For avoidance of doubt physical verification can be done,’ Health Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona said in a statement.
The article also states that the Ministry received Shs766 billion towards COVID-19 response. The ministry trashed the information saying that by June 30th 2020 the Ministry had received Shs119 billion.