Two medical workers in Rukungiri district have been arrested by the security over allegation of theft of government drugs.
The duo was picked up on Monday, January 30th, by the police after they were accused of selling drugs stolen from public medical units to private clinics within the area.
Ahimbisibwe Wilberforce Ongom, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) of Rukungiri, said the suspects were picked from two different private clinics, all located in Buhunga Sub County, during an intelligence-led operation.
“The suspects were from two different private clinics, one in Rusheshe Trading Center and another one in Omukarangara belonging to Dr. Julius Tukamusiima, a health worker at Bugangari Health Centre (IV), all in Buhunga Sub County, and they were found keeping boxes of over seventeen different categories of drugs, including those belonging to the government of Uganda,” he said.
Upon interrogation, one of the suspects disclosed that they got these drugs from the District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Akasiima Mucunguzi, through making requisitions to his office.
Deputy RDC Ongom condemned the connivance between private clinic proprietors and district health officers to steal from the government, saying the habit should stop with immediate effect for the benefit of local people.
DHO Dr. Akasiima said the clinics are currently being supported by the government; therefore, the drugs were part of the routine deliveries to the benefiting clinics.
Those arrested are currently being detained at Rukungiri Central Police Station pending their appearance in court.
