State Minister for Health (General Duties) Anifa Bangirana Kawooya has come under criticism after reportedly ordering the suspension of a medical officer who was found with his hands in his pockets while speaking to her during an inspection of a public health facility.
The incident, which is said to have occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, has triggered debate on social media, with several users questioning whether the doctor’s posture warranted such a disciplinary measure.
A video of the encounter circulating online shows Kawooya directing that the medical officer be suspended immediately or transferred to far flung Yumbe for “pocketing”, prompting questions about the appropriate balance between workplace discipline and the challenges facing Uganda’s health sector.
The decision has drawn criticism from sections of the public, including medical professionals, who argue that suspending a doctor over what they consider a matter of etiquette is excessive, particularly when public hospitals and health centres continue to struggle with staffing shortages.
Clinical professor and urologist Frank Asiimwe, who posts on X as @RubabindaJr, criticised the minister’s approach, suggesting that her handling of disciplinary matters risked appearing personal.
“Suspended for pocketing? Hon. [Anifa Kawooya], [you’re] worse than Hon. [Balaam Barugahara] and Hon. Justine Nameere combined. The spirit in which these officers are operating borders on a personal vendetta and unresolved personal conflict,” Asiimwe wrote.
Another medical practitioner, Doctor ALTON, posting as @NewtonAllan6, also questioned the decision.
“A doctor has been suspended by minister Hanifah Kawooya because he was found pocketing. Something needs to be done. Health sector is under attack. It’s too much,” he wrote.
Atwiine, another doctor, responded with disbelief, questioning what would happen if the same standard were applied across the health workforce.
“Honestly what is this? 😂😂😂 if all of us get suspended for pocketing, who remains in the hospital?” Atwiine wrote.
Journalist Gabriel Buule also criticised the minister, arguing that her approach overlooked the staffing challenges confronting public health facilities. He said Kawooya “isn’t even aware that public health facilities are understaffed.”
The reactions reflect broader concerns about the management of Uganda’s public health workforce, where shortages of medical personnel have placed pressure on existing staff and raised questions about how disciplinary measures should be applied.
While most of the online responses have been critical, some users have defended the minister’s actions as an attempt to enforce discipline and respect for authority in public institutions. One supportive reaction characterised the move as “Discipline Time.”
Kawooya has in recent months adopted a tough approach towards alleged indiscipline among health workers. During facility inspections, she has called for action against staff accused of absenteeism, abandoning their duty stations or attending to patients at private facilities during official working hours.
The latest incident has, however, renewed debate over whether disciplinary action should be proportionate to the alleged misconduct and guided by clearly established workplace rules.
As the video continues to circulate, critics have questioned whether a doctor’s posture during an exchange with a senior government official should be grounds for suspension, particularly in a sector already facing persistent staffing challenges.
The Ministry of Health had not issued an official statement on the incident by Thursday evening. It was also unclear from the information available whether the medical officer had been formally served with suspension documents or given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The circumstances surrounding the suspension, including the applicable disciplinary rules and any subsequent administrative action, had not been independently established.
