Ugandans are paying too high a price

Mar 30, 2006

SIR — I am sure many people watched health minister Jim Muhwezi on TV pontificating and parading his credentials as a freedom fighter before Justice James Ogoola.

SIR — I am sure many people watched health minister Jim Muhwezi on TV pontificating and parading his credentials as a freedom fighter before Justice James Ogoola.

According to Muhwezi, his ministry has done wonders and is known all over the continent! If that is so, the good minister must have a unique way of looking at issues. Simply read Matthew Rukikaire’s article “I didn’t know it was Global Fund money” published on Wednesday. Rukikaire asks a very simple but pertinent question. Why is Mulago, a national referral hospital so ill-equipped? If I may ask, how many Ugandans are lucky enough to be in Rukikaire’s position?

Muhwezi asserted without remorse that he had authorised the use of sh40m for Rukikaire’s treatment in Nairobi but Rukikaire asks why that money was not used to repair the dialysis machine instead and benefit all affected patients.

Clearly, Rukikaire’s condition is being used as a scapegoat.

Besides, as Rukikaire himself points out, if the government had not paid that money his family would have done so. Obviously Rukikaire is not happy with Muhwezi’s insinuation.

But most important did the sh40m for Rukikaire’s treatment have to come from the Global Fund?

I hope the workers’ savings in NSSF are also not being squandered in the same way by “freedom fighters” who feel they owe nobody an apology. I think it is time things changed. We are grateful to the freedom fighters but now let us hear something new! haven’t they paid themselves enough yet?

There is dire need for some conscience because the situation is getting out of hand because of people “who fought”. Ugandans are besieged by the very people who allegedly fought for them and the price is too high. Look at Kamugisha, Mukula, Bukenya and Muhwezi! The list is not complete yet! With such “leaders” are we honestly safe?

Jeniffer Kihara
Ntungamo


SIR — Health minister Jim Muhwezi has been quoted in the press as saying that much as TB is a curable disease, it continues killing Ugandans to
this day. Of course! This sounds strange.

The minister himself has been asked to account for the mismanaged the Global Fund which was meant to cater for TB patients!

According to Justice James Ogoola, Muhwezi should say sorry to Ugandans for the mismanaging the Fund. So Muhwezi should not be surprised that Ugandans are still dying of a curable diseases. He knows the reason!

Apollo Kamu
Nganwa High School

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