The Ministry of Health has dismissed reports that Dr Robert Candia of Arua Regional Referral Hospital has been suspended, saying the medical officer remains in service and continues to perform his duties.
In a public statement dated October 16, 2026, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine, said no suspension had been effected against Candia.
“The Ministry of Health clarifies that Dr. Robert Candia of Arua Regional Referral Hospital has not been suspended and continues to perform his duties,” Atwine said.
The clarification comes amid questions surrounding the doctor’s employment status, although the ministry did not specify the reports or circumstances that prompted its statement.
Atwine said disciplinary action against public servants must follow established government procedures, emphasising that administrative decisions cannot bypass the applicable public service regulations.
“Government of Uganda has established procedures for handling disciplinary matters and any such action must follow the applicable public service procedures,” she said.
The ministry urged health professionals to maintain professional standards and focus on delivering healthcare services, noting that millions of Ugandans depend on public health facilities for treatment and other medical services.
“I encourage all health professionals to uphold the highest professional standards and remain focused on providing quality, uninterrupted healthcare to the millions of Ugandans who seek services at our health facilities,” Atwine said.
She added that the ministry remained committed to engaging health workers while maintaining accountability and protecting the quality of patient care.
Background
Arua Regional Referral Hospital is a government health facility serving Arua City and surrounding districts in the West Nile sub-region. As a regional referral hospital, it provides specialised medical services and receives patients referred from lower-level health facilities.
The Ministry of Health oversees the delivery of health services nationally, including the management and supervision of government health institutions. Public officers employed in government facilities are subject to established administrative and disciplinary procedures governing their employment.
The ministry’s statement did not disclose whether any disciplinary proceedings involving Candia were under consideration, nor did it provide details of the reports that prompted the clarification.
For now, the ministry maintains that Candia remains in his position and continues to carry out his duties at the hospital.
