24/7/2026
Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi says arrests should not drive government inspections as he questions the methods used by Balaam Barugahara and Justine Nameere.
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi has questioned the methods used by Local Government ministers Balaam Barugahara and Justine Nameere during their inspections of health facilities and other government projects
Baryomunsi said the ministers appear to favour arrests, while he prefers supportive supervision aimed at identifying problems and finding solutions.
Appearing on UBC TV last night, Baryomunsi contrasted Balaam and Nameere’s style with his own recent night inspection at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where he found many patients waiting without attention.
Baryomunsi said some people wanted him to order the arrest of health workers who were absent from duty. He rejected that approach.
The Minister of Local Government and his Minister of State have used a different style. Because even when I went to Mbarara, people were saying I should cause arrests of the absentee health workers,” he said.
But I thought my approach should be different because when I used to work in the civil service, we would do what we call support supervision, not necessarily policing or finding faults
Baryomunsi said ministers should establish the weaknesses affecting public facilities and offer remedies.
“You go to supervise but in a supportive manner; identify where weaknesses are and provide remedies,” he said.
He added that arrests may become necessary in extreme cases, but should not drive government inspections.
