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// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Jane Aceng a doctor? Aceng for help?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jane Ruth Aceng
Also known as

1. Aceng Ocero

2. Ceng Atedero
Born (1968-05-11) 11 May 1968 (age 58)
Uganda
CitizenshipUganda
Alma materMakerere University (MBChB, MMed, MPH)
Galilee International Management Institute (Diploma in Health Systems Management)
OccupationsPediatrician, researcher, medical administrator, politician
Years active1995 — present
Known forPublic service Politics
TitleMinister of Health (2016-2026)
Ugandan Cabinet

Government Chief Whip
Ugandan Cabinet

NRM
Chairperson
SuccessorChris Baryomunsi
Political party
National Resistance Movement
SpouseAndrew Ocero (Dr)
Children2 boys and 1 girl
AwardsAfrican Public Health Champion of the Year (2024).
Websitehttps://drjaneaceng.com/

Jane Ruth Aceng (born 11 May 1968) is a Ugandan Pediatrician and Politician. She was the Minister of Health in the Cabinet of Uganda. She was appointed to that position on 6 June 2016.[1] Before that, from June 2011 until June 2016, she served as the Director General of Medical Services in the Ugandan Ministry of Health.[2] In 2026, she was appointed as the Cabinet Minister of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance serving in the Twelfth Parliament of Uganda[3] following her selection as the Woman Member of Parliament for Lira City in the January 2026 elections.[4]

Early life and education

[edit]

Aceng was born on 11 May 1968 in Atapara village, Oyam District. She attended Shimoni Demonstration Primary School in Kampala, Uganda's capital city. She studied at Nabisunsa Girls Secondary School for both her Ordinary and Advanced Level education.[5] She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, a Master of Medicine in Pediatrics, and a Master of Public Health, all from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences. She also holds a Diploma in Health Systems Management awarded by the Galilee International Management Institute, in Israel.[5][6]

Insight Aceng's early life success stories

[edit]

Aceng spent her early childhood days in Lira (formally Lira City) living with her parents and two siblings in a small hut and she joined Amberland Primary School with around five years of age.She went up to primary three but since the father was a teacher, he got transferred to Kampala and Aceng completed her primary in Shimoni Demonstration School where her father enrolled her and other siblings in.Aceng's first choice was St.Katherine secondary school but her father denied her the chance and sent her to Nabisunsa Girls’ School where she spent six years.[7]

After sitting her exams, Aceng was the only girl who qualified for medical course at Makerere University after release of examinations.[7]

Millstone to get Ocero Andrew (formally Doctor)

[edit]

Aceng met Ocero Andrew as classmates after joining Makerere University in 1987. Their relationship grew and resulted in an intimate one after two years of campus (1989). And after completing their degree in 1993, they decided to marry each other.[7]

Genesis of profession

[edit]

After graduation, Aceng was posted together with her husband (by then), Andrew Ocero to Lacor Hospital for internship that they completed in 1994 after a short time transfer to Mulago National Referral Hospital. Aceng and Andrew denied initial posting to Kiryandongo Hospital but asked for transfer to Lira Regional Referral Hospital where she started everything from. It was from Lira that Aceng felt welcomed although Lira Regional Referral Hospital had significantly low workers, but since Aceng and Andrew were young and energetic, they tried to fill the gap and people of the land nicknamed them as "Otin"(meaning young) doctors.[7]

Career

[edit]

Aceng began serving as a medical officer[8] in the health ministry.[6] At the time she was appointed Director General of Medical Services, she was serving as executive director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital.[2]

Political career

[edit]
Ugandan Health Minister Dr. Jane Aceng
Ugandan Health Minister Dr. Jane Aceng

In July 2020, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng declared her intentions to contest for the position of Women Representative for Lira District, in the 11th Parliament (2021 - 2026). She intends to run on the ruling National Resistance Movement political party ticket.[9] She was an ex-officio member of parliament nominated by the President as the minister.[10]

Aceng served in the ministry of health even before her election as the woman member of parliament for Lira City. She was appointed by Yoweri Museveni in 2016 and later convinced by her capabilities to contest as the member of parliament in 2021.[11] She was again entrusted back to lead ministership for the next 5 years, 2021 to 2025 after her victory by the election poll cast by the voters of Lira City, where she got 34,054 votes .[12][13] Aceng later contested and worn her second election alongside her contestant Amongi Betty.[14]

Controversy grew after Aceng's reshuffled ministerial role from ministry of health to ministry of information, communication technology and national guidance with Chris Baryomunsi.[15] Aceng served for the ministerial role for only one week and she was later appointed as the government chief whip which was previously led by Justin Kasule Lumumba[15]. As this role states that the person holding this post must be the member of parliament but Kasule was not. And this grew another national decision and this made the president to shuffles Aceng to served as government chief whip meanwhile Kasule was taken back to lead Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance as the minister.[16]

Other considerations

[edit]

Aceng is a member of the board of directors of the Infectious Diseases Institute.[6] She also served as a member of the board of Uganda National Medical Stores, the pharmaceutical procurement and distribution arm of the health ministry, from 2005 until 2016.[2][5]

Controversy

[edit]

As early as 2014, three variables in the national health system began to converge to the level of a crisis.

  • Uganda has at least 8 public and private medical schools, graduating close to 500 medical doctors annually.[17] Before they receive their medical licenses, each doctor has to undergo 12 months of rigorous supervision under a consultant physician or surgeon.[17]
  • Due to poor pay, dilapidated equipment, lack of resources including medication and a poor work environment, many Ugandan medical and surgical consultants have left to work in better environments in other countries.[18][19]
  • The small national healthcare budget leaves the health ministry with insufficient funds to pay the few consultants left, the senior house officers (SHOs) training to become consultants, and the ever-increasing number of interns working so they can get licensed.[20]

As a consequence, the ministry of health has been pitted against the SHOs who are not compensated at all and the interns who are poorly and irregularly paid.[19] In an attempt to conserve funds, Aceng as minister has accused some universities of graduating too many substandard doctors,[21] although both the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council Archived 4 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine (UMDPC) and the East African Community Medical and Dental Practitioners Boards and Councils disagree with her. These are the statutory government agencies in the East African Community which are mandated to maintain the standard of medical and dental training and physician and dentist competency.[21][22]

As of 2016, perhaps the most controversial of Aceng's proposals is the new requirement that interns take a new national examination, before the health ministry can assign them an internship slot.[23][24] This has not gone well with the 2016/2017 intern class, prompting a lawsuit that is winding through the legal system.[25]

Research works

[edit]
Admiral Tim Ziemer, Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, and Ugandan Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng at closing press conference of the Global Health Security Agenda Ministerial Meeting

Aceng has participated and published widely in the field of medicine and some of her works are outlined below;

  • 2021: The Ugandan Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome -Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Model: A Data Driven Approach to Estimate Risk[26]
  • 2020: Estimating the Effect and Cost-Effectiveness of Facemasks in Reducing the Spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Uganda[27]
  • 2020: Family Health Days program contributions in vaccination of unreached and under-immunized children during routine vaccinations in Uganda[28]
  • 2019: Uganda's experience in Ebola virus disease outbreak preparedness, 2018–2019.[29]
  • 2018: Prevalence of protective tetanus antibodies and immunological response following tetanus toxoid vaccination among men seeking medical circumcision services in Uganda[30]
  • 2016: Tetanus Cases After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention - Eastern and Southern Africa, 2012-2015[31]
  • 2015: Multidistrict outbreak of Marburg virus disease—Uganda, 2012.[32]
  • 2015: Is the glass half full or half empty? A qualitative exploration on treatment practices and perceived barriers to biomedical care for patients with nodding syndrome in post-conflict northern Uganda[33]
  • 2014: Ebola Viral Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak in West Africa- Lessons from Uganda.[34]
  • 2013: Nodding syndrome in Ugandan children—clinical features, brain imaging and complications: a case series[35]
  • 2005: Rectal artemether versus intravenous quinine for the treatment of cerebral malaria in children in Uganda: randomised clinical trial[36]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Uganda State House (6 June 2016). "Museveni's new cabinet list At 6 June 2016" (PDF). Daily Monitor. Kampala. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Ephraim Kasozi (29 June 2011). "Lira Hospital boss appointed director general of health services". Daily Monitor Mobile. Kampala. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Lango celebrates four ministerial positions in new Cabinet". Monitor. 27 May 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero - Ministry of Health - Uganda". Ministry of Health - Uganda. Archived from the original on 11 November 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Parliament of Uganda (2016). "Parliament of Uganda, Members of the 10th Parliament: Aceng Jane Ruth". Kampala: Parliament of Uganda. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 Infectious Diseases Institute (16 July 2016). "Infectious Diseases Institute: Board Members: Dr Jane Ruth Aceng". Kampala: Infectious Diseases Institute. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Biography – The Office of Dr Ruth Aceng Ocero". Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  8. ↑ Agaba, John (2 June 2016). "No new cases of yellow fever disease - Health". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Paul Ampurire (5 July 2020). "Health Minister Dr Aceng To Contest For Lira District Woman MP". Kampala: SoftPower Uganda.
  10. ↑ Independent, The (5 July 2020). "Dr Ruth Aceng confirms she will contest in Lira". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Structure - Ministry of Health - Uganda". health.go.ug. Archived from the original on 18 January 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "Aceng Jane Ruth Ocero - 2021 General Election - Visible Polls". visiblepolls.org. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  13. ↑ KIU. "Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng Sworn in as Lira City MP". kiu.ac.ug. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Amongi, Aceng eye victory as rival pulls out of Lira City Woman MP race". Monitor. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  15. 1 2 "PLU dissatisfied with 17 ministerial posts". Monitor. 28 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Museveni shuffles Cabinet roles for Lumumba, Aceng to correct Constitutional oversight". Monitor. 28 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  17. 1 2 Atwiine, Barnabas (3 September 2014). "Internship crisis: Finally, Uganda has 'too many' doctors". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  18. ↑ Ayebazibwe, Agatha (6 August 2013). "2,000 doctors leave country in 10 years". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  19. 1 2 Mwesigwa, Alon (10 February 2015). "Uganda crippled by medical brain drain". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  20. ↑ Butagira, Tabu (20 August 2013). "Government spends Shs2,500 a month on each citizen's healthcare". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  21. 1 2 Kitubi, Martin (14 September 2016). "Medical Council backs Kampala International University on doctors". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  22. ↑ Patience Ahimbisibwe, and Emmanuel Ainebyona (19 June 2016). "EAC probe queries medical training in Ugandan Universities". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  23. ↑ "Pre-Intern Medical Exams Divide Health Minister, MPs". Kampala: Business Guide Africa. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  24. ↑ Kasanga, Kyetume (30 September 2016). "Pre-entry exams for medical interns will ensure quality healthcare". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  25. ↑ Odeng, Michael; Kabahumuza, Barbra (23 September 2016). "Medical Interns Sue Health Minister". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  26. ↑ Nannyonga, Betty; Bosa, Henry Kyobe; Woldermariam, Yonas Tegegn; Kaleebu, Pontiano (2 January 2021). "The Ugandan Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome -Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Model: A Data Driven Approach to Estimate Risk". medRxiv 10.1101/2020.12.28.20248922v1.
  27. ↑ Nannyonga, Betty K; Wanyenze, Rhoda K; Kaleebu, Pontiano (12 June 2020). "Estimating the Effect and Cost-Effectiveness of Facemasks in Reducing the Spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Uganda". medRxiv 10.1101/2020.06.11.20128272v1.
  28. ↑ Mupere, Ezekiel; Babikako, Harriet M.; Okaba-Kayom, Violet; Mutyaba, Robert B.; Mwisaka, Milton Nasiero; Tenywa, Emmanuel; Lule, Albert; Aceng, Jane Ruth; Mpanga-Kaggwa, Flavia; Matseketse, David (17 January 2020). "Family Health Days program contributions in vaccination of unreached and under-immunized children during routine vaccinations in Uganda". PLOS ONE. 15 (1) e0218239. Bibcode:2020PLoSO..1518239M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0218239. PMC 6968838. PMID 31951608.
  29. ↑ Aceng, Jane Ruth; Ario, Alex R.; Muruta, Allan N.; Makumbi, Issa (19 March 2020). "Uganda's experience in Ebola virus disease outbreak preparedness, 2018–2019". Globalization and Health. 16 (24): 24. doi:10.1186/s12992-020-00548-5. PMC 7081536. PMID 32192540.
  30. ↑ Makumbi, Fredrick; Byabagambi, John; Muwanika, Richard; Kigozi, Godfrey (31 December 2018). "Prevalence of protective tetanus antibodies and immunological response following tetanus toxoid vaccination among men seeking medical circumcision services in Uganda". PLOS ONE. 13 (12) e0209167. Bibcode:2018PLoSO..1309167M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209167. PMC 6312241. PMID 30596676.
  31. ↑ Grund, Jonathan M; Toledo, Carlos; Davis, Stephanie M; Ridzon, Renee (22 January 2016). "Tetanus Cases After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention - Eastern and Southern Africa, 2012-2015". Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 65 (2): 36–37. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6502a5. PMID 26797167. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  32. ↑ Knust, Barbara; Schafer, llana J.; Wamala, Joseph; Nyakarahuka, Luke (23 July 2015). "Multidistrict outbreak of Marburg virus disease—Uganda, 2012". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 212 (Suppl 2): S119-28. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiv351. PMC 5649344. PMID 26209681. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  33. ↑ Mwaka, Amos Deogratius; Okello, Elialilia S.; Abbo, Catherine; Odwong, Francis Okot (29 August 2015). "Is the glass half full or half empty? A qualitative exploration on treatment practices and perceived barriers to biomedical care for patients with nodding syndrome in post-conflict northern Uganda". BMC Research Notes. 8 (386): 386. doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1323-5. PMC 4552991. PMID 26318338. S2CID 12049788.
  34. ↑ Mbonye, AK; Wamala, JF; Nanyunja, M; Opio, A; Makumbi, I; Aceng, JR (2014). "Ebola Viral Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak in West Africa- Lessons from Uganda". African Health Sciences. 14 (3): 495–501. doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i3.1. PMC 4209631. PMID 25352864. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  35. ↑ Idro, Richard; Opoka, Robert Opika; Aanyu, Hellen T (2013). "Nodding syndrome in Ugandan children—clinical features, brain imaging and complications: a case series" (PDF). BMJ Open. 10 (1136): 1. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002540. PMC 3646179. PMID 23645924. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  36. ↑ Aceng, Jane Ruth; Byarugaba, Justus S; Tumwine, James K (10 February 2005). "Rectal artemether versus intravenous quinine for the treatment of cerebral malaria in children in Uganda: randomised clinical trial". BMJ. 330 (7487): 334. doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7487.334. PMC 548725. PMID 15705690. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
[edit]
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