Abim district leaders want RDC to find accommodation outside hospital, vacate Doctor’s house

Leaders in Abim District have petitioned the Minister-in-Charge of Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda against the continued stay of the Resident District Commissioner in the house of the medical Superintendent Abim Hospital.

Since January this year, Juliet Najjuma has been staying at the house despite several calls by the local leaders to vacate and find accommodation outside the hospital.

The Abim Anti-Corruption Coalition Program Officer, Vincent Okee wants Najjuma to vacate the quarters to allow the medical staff to occupy the houses and conveniently provide health services to the people.

“We pray that the President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Museveni, to instruct the RDC madam Juliet Najjuma quit “A6” at Abim General Hospital, the doctors’ quarters to go and rent outside the hospital quarters, reads the letter in part, addressed to the Minister in charge of the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda.

The petitioners also contend that the RDC and the presence of her security guards is an inconvenience to the in-patients who are at times disturbed by loud music and noise from the RDC’s house. Najjuma declined to comment when contacted.

David Ocan, the Hospital Administrator, says that management was surprised to learn that the Najjuma had taken over the doctor’s house.
He says the house belongs to Dr Edison Atwine, the medical superintendent who is on study leave.

He adds that since Atwine is away, the house is supposed to accommodate the resident doctor.

In March this year the Haji Yunus Kakande, the Under Secretary Office of the President ordered Najjuma to vacate the house after the residents threatened to protest against her continued stay.

When contacted, Kakande wondered why the RDC had not left the houses despite her directive.

“I had told her to leave that house immediately if indeed she evicted the medical superintendent and I thought she had left am going to follow up,” he said.