President Yoweri Museveni has women around him every time he has appeared for national address since a 37 year old Uganda returning from Dubai tested positive of the deadly Corona virus. They have been putting a smile on his face and the nation.
Uganda has been hailed for confronting corona virus and ensuring numbers do not hit the vertical direction. The country has 55 cases to-date after testing over 7000 people who mainly jetted in at Entebbe from different destinations.
The President since the start his live national addresses has been surrounded by women who are dealing with the century’s biggest disaster.
Dr. Ruth Aceng – chief architect
Leading the package includes the national heroine Dr. Ruth Jane Aceng who has been hailed by the public for camping at the airport. Dr. Aceng. appointed minister of health in 2016, leads the team of health expects. Many have come out to praise the President for appointing a doctor to run the ministry after receiving stick for appointing the likes of Gen. Jim Muhwezi and Mike Mukula.
The former director general of medical services has been calm during her news conferences, explaining elaborately to the citizens about the cases. Alongside the President, they have calmed down people and taken away fear from their homes.
Dr. Diana Atwine – administration
When President Museveni appointed Dr. Diana Atwine at the ministry of health as permanent secretary, there was a lot of heckling about her abilities. Dr. Atwine has formed a formidable team with Dr. Aceng. Before Covid-19 cases, there were fears about how prepared the ministry was prepared for the deadly virus.
Fears continued when many felt Uganda was lying about cases. However, the Dubai case and the subsequent ones plus the manner in which hospitals have handled patients, illustrates there is work worth hailing, going on in the health department. And she has also been up to date on social media responding to people on queries.
Karoro Okurut – National task force
The national task force started with talk of fake beans and it did not highlight a good picture of the whole process of government able to feed people. Minister Karoro Okurut was drafted in to help shape the team and ensure all went according to plan.
Since the mishap, the process appears to taken shape and people within the confines of the President’s description are living their dream as the shut down continues. Karoro has a clean bill since joining cabinet and with her in the different all will be fine.
Phiona Atuheebwe – expert
Atuheebwa has been prominent during the President’s addresses. Atuheebwa who works with World Health Organisation has been instrumental to the team, often chipping in to elaborate some technical matters. She is always side by side with the minister Dr. Aceng right from Entebbe to her regional tours to visit hospitals handling the Covid-19 patients.
Robinah Nabanjja – hospitals
State minister for Health Robinah Nabanja is practically all over the country combing health centre after another, at the border points and hospitals. At a time when the country has been confronted by the corona virus, her work load has increased.
Like her superior Dr. Aceng, Nabanja has played a motherly figure to the nation at this crucial time, ensuring the nation is ready to confront the covid-19 in the best shape possibly.
Janet Kataha Museveni – schools
When it came to matters concerning education, Janet Museveni the minister of education and sports was called in to join the team to explain to the nation way forward for schools.
She joined a number of women on the high table battling the covid-19. However, she has not returned after featuring in that episode.
Amelia Kyambadde – traders
She is the minister of trade and industries. Amelia Kyambadde was called in to the Covid-19 live show to brief the nation on the new measures and ensure that they respect the President’s directive.
However, her show did not go well when she tried to put up a spirited fight to have vendors carry on with business in the city. She has not returned.
Betty Amongi – food distribution
The Kampala question when it came up on food distribution, Betty Amongi, the minister took the lead role alongside minister for presidency Esther Mbulakubuza Mbayo.
The pair have been prominent at the Media Centre security news conferences articulating on key issues in the city. Kampala City is a key area for the President and the country if not handled well.
Judith Nabakooba – communication
Judith Nabakooba, a former police spokeswoman has been elevated to the national level with cabinet and now manning the ministry of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance.
Nabakooba has been at the forefront of government communication on key measures of washing hands, sanitizing and keeping a social distance lending her voice.
Evelyn Anite – sanitizers
Evelyn is the minister for investment. She hasn’t been vocal during the corona virus time.
However, when sanitizers took centre stage she was the focal person investors sought out for to clinch a deal to have all waragi producing factories produce the precious item.
Award winning journalist and writer who has worked as a stringer for a couple of acclaimed South Africa based German journalists, covered 3 Ugandan elections, 2008 Kenya election crisis, with interests in business and sports reporting.
