Iganga hospital officials remanded over alleged sh1b fraud
Principal Magistrate Grade One Christopher Opit, on July 22, 2026, charged the three suspects with 23 offences, including causing financial loss, money laundering, forgery and conspiracy to defraud the Government.
The accused are Ramathan Gaboli Mugolofa, the senior hospital administrator; Dr Dauda Mugoya, the medical superintendent; and Michael Isabirye, the senior accounts assistant. (File photo)
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Three senior officials from Iganga General Hospital have been remanded to prison over alleged mismanagement of sh1b meant for the facility’s activities.
The accused are Ramathan Gaboli Mugolofa, the senior hospital administrator; Dr Dauda Mugoya, the medical superintendent; and Michael Isabirye, the senior accounts assistant.
Principal Magistrate Grade One Christopher Opit, on July 22, 2026, charged the three suspects with 23 offences, including causing financial loss, money laundering, forgery and conspiracy to defraud the Government.
The offence of money laundering attracts a sentence of up to 15 years in prison or a fine not exceeding sh2b, or both, upon conviction, while causing financial loss attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment. Forgery attracts a maximum sentence of seven years, while conspiracy to defraud is punishable by up to three years in prison.
“The accused cannot take a plea on the charges because this court lacks jurisdiction to hear the money laundering charge,” Opit said before remanding the accused persons until August 4, 2026, when the case will return for mention.
State attorney Mary Asiiku told the court that investigations into the matter were still ongoing and asked the court to adjourn the case to another date for mention.
“Your worship, inquiries are still ongoing. We pray the case is adjourned to allow the Police to complete investigations into the matter,” Asiiku requested.
Defence lawyer Richard Lugombya did not object to the prosecution’s request, saying the defence was aware of the next procedural step.
Allegations
According to the prosecution, the funds had been allocated for implementing various hospital activities.
The prosecution contends that the payments were processed in breach of public financial management procedures, resulting in financial loss to the Government.
It is also alleged that the accused laundered the funds by concealing their origin and movement through forged requisition forms and payment vouchers purportedly signed by hospital staff for activities such as immunisation outreaches, community dialogue meetings, palliative care services and health inspection programmes.
The prosecution further alleges that the accused fraudulently facilitated payment of the funds by using falsified documents that falsely represented the money as proceeds of legitimate activities. It is further alleged that the payments were processed and accounted for based on forged documents.
The prosecution also alleges that the officers whose names appeared on the documents neither signed them nor received the payments attributed to them.