Dr. Diana Atwiine replaces Dr. Asuman Lukwago as Ministry of Health PS

News reaching our desk has it that Dr. Diana Atwiine has replaced Dr. Asuman Lukwago as the Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry of Health. This was made official by President Yoweri Museveni when he made the appointment yesterday. “H.E President Museveni has appointed Dr Diana Atwiine Permanent secretary Ministry of Health. The President also appointed Eng Kasingye project head of Uganda Standard Gauge Railway,” a statement from State House read.

Dr. Diana Atwiine

Dr Atwiine has in recent months ratcheted up pressure on Health Ministry officials to boost services to the people.

She has been serving as the head of State House Health Monitoring Unit that uses intelligence to crack down on drug theft in public health facilities.

Atwiine’s rise comes high on the heels of an intense power struggle within the Health Ministry. Lukwago was accused of corruption, incompetence and arrogance.

At the time of Atwiine’s appointment, Lukwago was not looking eye to eye with the new Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng.

Dr Aceng was until recently Director General of Health Services, a junior position to Lukwago’s.

When Aceng was elevated to position of Minister; Lukwago reportedly refused to cooperate with her.

Diana has been serving as the head of State House Health Monitoring Unit that uses intelligence to crack down on drug theft in public health facilities.