Doctor at centre of botched abortion granted bail

By Michael Odeng 

A private doctor, Moses Muhwezi who is suspected to have aided an abortion that resulted into a patient’s death has been granted bail.

The Mulago Mid Memory Clinic doctor on Wednesday appeared before Buganda Road Court chief magistrate Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya and denied the charges. The doctor was charged in connection with the death of one Mercy Ampairwe and her unborn child.   

The doctor was released on a cash bail of sh5m after presenting three substantial sureties in court who were also bonded at 10m not cash. The sureties include brother Muhoozi Muhereza, 39, cousin Atuhaire Obed, 37 and Juma Tumwebaze, 28.

“We have instructions to apply for bail since the suspect has a right to it and the offence is bailable,” Muhwezi’s lawyer Godfrey Mafabi said.

Mafabi told court that his client had a fixed place of abode, no criminal record and had substantial sureties, adding that he most likely won’t to abscond from court.

Meanwhile, the magistrate granted Muhwezi’s prayer after prosecution had no objection to the bail application but requested that the suspect deposits his passport in court as security. Prosecution led by Lillian Omara also told court that investigations are still ongoing.

Mukwaya ordered the accused to deposit a residential letter to court with photograph attached and passport.

She cautioned the suspect and sureties to fulfil the terms and conditions provided by court.    

Prosecution alleges that the suspect on March 17, 2014 at Mulago in Nalwewuba village, Kawempe division unlawfully caused the death of one Mercy Ampaire who was trying to carry out an abortion at the clinic.

Prosecution further alleges that on that same day when Ampaire was about to deliver a child, the suspect prevented the child from being delivered alive, hence unlawfully killing the baby.

Police recently arrested doctor Henry Kadaga alongside Susan Tulugenda, a nurse in the same clinic over the patient’s death but later on released them on bond.

It was alleged that the duo were part of a clique that targets patients referred to Mulago Hospital and diverts them to dozens of private clinics surrounding the hospital.

On the fateful day, it’s alleged that Kadaga and Tulugenda diverted Ampaire to his private clinic where she breathed her last during an unsuccessful operation. 

She was dropped at the clinic by two unidentified friends with whom she allegedly rents a shop in Kampala. 

According to police, the deceased attempted an abortion without the consent of her husband and parents which went wrong before she was rushed to the clinic.