'I was misquoted on HIV comments'

PIC: RDC Martin Orochi insists he was misquoted by media. (Credit: Faustine Odeke)

Tororo resident district commissioner Martin Orochi has said he was misquoted when reports emerged that he had directed parents not to pay school fees for their HIV-infected children.

Orochi said he was misquoted by the media.

In the aftermath of the media reports, the RDC told reporters that he instead advised parents to know the health status of their children especially during their school life.

Orochi was recently reported by local media as having made the controversial remarks while addressing parents of Rock High school during the school's thanksgiving ceremony.

"My conscience is very clear and I can still remember what I said contrary to what was published against me. What I can say that I have never and will not utter such reckless statements."

Meanwhile, the RDC took a beating on social media, with people condemning him over the reports.

A number of users called for him to resign or be sacked.

"He should apologize to the public immediately," one wrote.

In his defence, Orochi insisted he does not need to apologize for "statements I did not utter".

The district leader said he used the platform to encourage parents to be conscious of the lives of their children especially those joining tertiary institutions and universities.

He said that his message to parents was that apart from supporting their children in academics, they should also ensure that they encourage them to test for HIV and other diseases which he said is in line with the Uganda's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

‘'We need resourceful people who can take charge of this country but not people who do not have chances of living yet if they know their health status , they can seek medication and live longer positively."

Orochi wondered whether it was wrong for him as a parent to advise fellow parents to have their children tested before joining university and other institutions of higher learning.