Pocketing Doctor Saga: PS Diana Atwine ‘Rejects’ Minister Anifa Kawooya’s ‘Decision’ to Suspend Dr Robert Candia

Kampala — Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine has clarified that Dr. Robert Candia, a medical officer at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, has not been suspended and continues to perform his duties, contradicting reports that State Minister for Health (General Duties) Anifa Kawooya Bangirana had taken disciplinary action against him.

“Dr. Robert Candia of Arua Regional Referral Hospital has not been suspended and continues to perform his duties,” Dr Atwine said in a public statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026.

The clarification comes a day after a video circulated on social media showing Kawooya confronting Candia during a visit to a public health facility. The minister subsequently announced his suspension after taking issue with the doctor’s conduct during their interaction.

The incident drew public attention after Kawooya appeared to object to Candia addressing her with his hands in his pockets. The confrontation prompted debate about professional conduct in public health facilities, the exercise of ministerial authority and the treatment of medical personnel by government officials.

Atwine’s statement did not directly mention Kawooya or explain whether the minister had formally communicated a suspension decision to the hospital or the Ministry of Health. But her declaration that Candia remained at work offered the ministry’s clearest public position yet on his employment status.

“Government of Uganda has established procedures for handling disciplinary matters and any such action must follow the applicable public service procedures,” Atwine said.

The statement appeared to underscore that disciplinary action against public officers must be handled through established administrative processes rather than through an announcement alone.

Dr Atwine, who is the health ministry’s accounting officer, did not specify which procedures would apply to Candia’s case, identify the authority responsible for initiating any disciplinary process or say whether an investigation into the incident had begun.

The dispute has exposed a tension between demands for professional discipline among health workers and questions about how public officials should exercise their authority when dealing with medical personnel.

Kawooya’s intervention focused attention on Candia’s conduct during the encounter. The permanent secretary’s response, however, shifted the discussion towards the formal procedures governing disciplinary action in the public service.

Atwine urged health professionals to maintain high standards while emphasising the importance of established government procedures.

“I encourage all health professionals to uphold the highest professional standards and remain focused on providing quality, uninterrupted healthcare to the millions of Ugandans who seek services at our health facilities,” she said.

The permanent secretary also emphasised the ministry’s responsibility to maintain working relationships with health workers while ensuring accountability.

“The Ministry remains committed to constructive engagement with health workers while upholding accountability and ensuring quality patient care,” Atwine said.

Her statement did not elaborate on whether Candia’s conduct was being assessed separately from the reported suspension or whether the ministry intended to take any further action over the confrontation.

The controversy comes amid wider concerns about the conditions under which health workers deliver services in Uganda’s public hospitals, where medical personnel face demanding workloads and patients depend on staff to provide timely care.

For Candia, the immediate question is whether the reported suspension will lead to a formal disciplinary process or whether he will continue working without further administrative action. Atwine’s statement establishes that, as of Friday, the ministry considered him unsuspended and still performing his duties.

No disciplinary measures against Kawooya have been announced.

Atwine ignored the incident that had promoted Kawooya to suspend Candia.

For now, the ministry’s position is unequivocal on one point: whatever was announced during the confrontation, Dr. Candia has not been suspended.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Medical Association has warned Minister Anifa Kawooya against political theatrics and governance by tantrum, as reported Here and There.