By Skynewsug.com
16 /10/2026
KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Health has clarified that Dr Robert Candia, a senior dental surgeon at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, has not been suspended following a viral incident involving State Minister for Health (General Duties) Anifa Kawooya, putting to rest speculation surrounding his employment status.
The clarification comes amid growing public debate over the incident, with critics calling on Minister Kawooya to apologise to Dr Candia and the wider medical fraternity over concerns about the treatment of health professionals and the handling of workplace disagreements.
The controversy has reignited conversations about professional respect, accountability and the need for public officials to handle disagreements with medical personnel through established administrative procedures.
Critics argue that health workers, who play a crucial role in delivering essential services to Ugandans, deserve dignity and fair treatment, regardless of the circumstances surrounding workplace disputes. They maintain that any concerns about a medical professional’s conduct or responsibilities should be addressed transparently, with all parties given an opportunity to present their side of the matter.
The calls for an apology have also intensified demands for constructive engagement between the minister and the medical fraternity to prevent misunderstandings and preserve professional relationships within the health sector.
The incident has further highlighted the importance of responsible leadership and effective communication in Uganda’s public health institutions, where cooperation between government officials, hospital administrators and medical professionals is essential to delivering quality healthcare.
Observers note that disagreements, particularly those involving senior public officials and health workers, should be resolved through appropriate institutional channels rather than actions or exchanges that could undermine professional confidence and public trust.
While the Ministry’s clarification establishes that Dr Candia has not been suspended, concerns raised by critics underscore the need for clear communication and accountability whenever incidents involving public officials and health professionals attract widespread attention.
The debate has also placed the treatment of medical personnel under renewed public scrutiny, with calls for fairness, transparency and mutual respect in the management of Uganda’s healthcare institutions.
As public discussion continues, maintaining trust between government leadership and frontline health workers remains critical to the smooth operation of health facilities and the delivery of essential medical services to communities across the country.
For many observers, the key issue goes beyond the viral incident itself: it is about ensuring that professional disagreements are handled fairly, public officials demonstrate responsible leadership, and health workers are treated with the respect their demanding role in serving the nation deserves.
