Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
New Vision (Kampala) - November 7, 2006
The cutback seems to be politically calculated to force Uganda to act decisively on the crisis-ridden Global Fund programme.
Following the investigation by the Ogoola commission, health ministers Jim Muhwezi, Mike Mukula, and Alex Kamugisha were dropped in a Cabinet reshuffle while local officials including Dr Muheebwa were interdicted. This did not satisfy the donor community who have been calling for full accountability including refunds of diverted funds and possible criminal prosecution.
President Museveni has been insisting that the Ministry of Finance take action before the expiry of a November 15 deadline set by the Global Fund. Nothing has yet happened.
Government should now take a definitive position. Either it states that no further action is going to be taken against the officials and politicians involved in the mismanagement of the Global Funds in Uganda. Or it should make it clear that the officials and the ministers should now face the full extent of the law.
It is not difficult to assess whether these individuals have personally benefited.
They have all submitted their personal declarations of wealth to the Inspector General of Government. They should submit their detailed bank statements for further review and be interviewed on the sources of incoming funds. This would settle the matter for once and for all.
But government seems to be paralysed and reluctant to take action, despite President Museveni's clear directive.
The IGG has the authority to act on her own in any case. She should now step in to rescue the situation. It is in the interests of all concerned û the donors, taxpayers and all Ugandans û that the Global Fund fiasco is concluded and put behind us.
061107
NV061110
Copyright © 2006 - The New Vision. All articles are republished on AEGIS by permission. Material may not be redistributed, posted to any other location, published or used for broadcast without written authorization from Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala - Uganda, Tel/fax: 256-41-235221, E-mail: wpike@newvision.co.ug.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2006. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .