6 arrested for stealing government mosquito nets

Police in Kampala has paraded six suspects for allegedly stealing government mosquito nets in Iganga and Luuka district.

The six were arrested in an operation conducted by the Health Monitoring Unit (HMU) between Saturdays 4 to Monday 6 in the month of June.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said, the stolen Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) were procured by government and meant for free distribution to pregnant mothers and children in government health facilities.

"The HMU were tipped by concerned citizens that traders within Iganga town had stocked and started selling mosquito nets procured by government," Onyango stated.

The arrested include Abu Magumba 37, a special hire driver within Iganga town who was the transporter of the mosquito nets.

Hakim Mukisa 32, a cleaner at Bukanga Health center lll who coordinated and collected the nets at his residence.

Yonna Wasota a laboratory assistant attached to Bukowa health Centre supplied nets to Hakim Mukisa.

Justine Naigaga and Rose Nabirye who are both records assistant at Ikonia health center in Luuka district stole and supplied ten bales of mosquito nets to Hakim Mukisa

Clement Walujo a business man in Iganga town was  also discovered with one bale of stolen mosquito net at his residence that he had purchased. In addition during the operation, some nets suspected from a neighboring country were also seized.

Police say the racket dealing in stolen government (LLIN) is big and the nets are said to be used for making fish cages.

"Such nets are on demand in Iganga because they use them to fish young fish which has led to loss of colossal sums of money by government worthy of stolen nets", Onyango said.

Onyango adds that the 2 suspects are so far charged with unlawful possession of government property while 4 suspects are charged with embezzlement of government property but the Director of Public prosecutions will advise how to charge them accordingly.