Strong & Valid Points From Uganda’s Top Brains! Omona Defends Dr Candia Who Was Suspended By Junior Health Minister For Pocketing

Dr Kenneth Omona has come to the defence of Dr Robert Candia, who was suspended by State Minister for Health in charge of General Duties, Anifa Kawooya, over concerns about his conduct during a health facility visit. Omona has appealed to the minister to reconsider the decision, offering an explanation for why doctors sometimes place their hands in the lower pockets of their clinical coats.

In a statement shared on his X account, Omona said he knew Candia from medical school and described him as a disciplined and cheerful person. He explained that his intervention was not intended to justify professional misconduct but to help the public understand some habits that develop among healthcare workers during long working hours.

Omona said clinical coats serve several purposes beyond protecting doctors’ clothes. According to him, medical workers sometimes put their hands in their lower coat pockets to rest their arms and maintain balance when tired, instead of leaning against walls or sitting down while attending to patients.

He further explained that the habit may also help healthcare workers avoid touching ward surfaces with their hands before disinfecting them and examining patients. Omona added that some medical personnel place their hands in their pockets to conceal glove powder, saying the appearance of a doctor’s hands does not necessarily mean they are dirty.

The doctor argued that pocketing was not unique to Candia and could also be observed among other medical practitioners, including senior doctors. “I bet you, you will meet many, including very senior doctors pocketing,” Omona said, while acknowledging that his explanation was a professional opinion rather than a definitive justification of the conduct in question.

Omona directly appealed to Minister Kawooya to reconsider Candia’s situation, describing him as a good person whose character deserved consideration. “Please, please, let me plead for Dr Candia, he is that nice son of yours — try and find out,” he wrote, urging the minister to look further into the matter before reaching a final decision.

The suspension has also attracted criticism from the Uganda Medical Association (UMA). In a statement dated October 16, 2026, UMA president Dr Frank R. Asiimwe called for the suspension to be reversed, accusing the minister of publicly humiliating Candia and disregarding established disciplinary procedures. The association’s position has added to calls for the matter to be handled through appropriate professional and administrative channels.

Omona’s intervention has brought renewed attention to the controversy, highlighting questions about workplace expectations, clinical practices and the treatment of medical professionals during disciplinary proceedings. While he has urged leniency for Candia, the circumstances surrounding the suspension and the government’s response remain central to the debate.