Oyam police arrest drug shop attendant in alleged extortion scheme
North Kyoga regional police spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema confirmed the arrest, saying police had acted on information received from the RDC's office at about 5:00 pm concerning alleged extortion by a medical officer at the facility, Dr Michael Ogwang.
Police have arrested a drug shop attendant in Oyam district after he allegedly received sh240,000 from a patient seeking surgery at Anyeke Health Centre IV. (Photo by Joseph Ekol)
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Police have arrested a drug shop attendant in Oyam district after he allegedly received sh240,000 from a patient seeking surgery at Anyeke Health Centre IV, in a case that has also exposed suspected illegal possession of government medical supplies.
Chris Otim was arrested at about 6:00 pm on November 12, 2026, in an intelligence-led operation coordinated by Oyam deputy resident district commissioner Francis Byagana.
North Kyoga regional police spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema confirmed the arrest, saying police had acted on information received from the RDC's office at about 5:00 pm concerning alleged extortion by a medical officer at the facility, Dr Michael Ogwang.
Chris Otim making a call after he was arrested for allegedly receiving sh240,000 from a patient seeking surgery at Anyeke Health Centre IV. (Photo by Joseph Ekol)
One of the reported victims, Jenifer Etap, who was scheduled to undergo surgery for a hernia, was allegedly asked to pay sh240,000 for the procedure.
Okema said police intelligence officers began investigating the allegations and moved to establish how the money was being collected.
Police allege that, after becoming aware of the scrutiny, Ogwang directed Etap to Mama Trevis Gregory Drug Shop, where she was instructed to hand the money to Otim, an attendant.
Otim allegedly contacted Ogwang, who instructed him to receive sh250,000 on his behalf. However, Etap handed over sh240,000, after which police intelligence officers intervened and arrested Otim with the money.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the drug shop is owned by Ogwang and Connie Atim, both of whom are being pursued by security personnel to assist with investigations.
Otim was detained at Oyam Central Police Station as police registered an extortion case against him, alongside a separate case concerning the alleged unlawful possession of Government medical supplies.
Okema said the recovered money and medical supplies had been exhibited to support investigations, while a statement had been recorded from the suspect.
Speaking to journalists after the arrest, Byagana said his office had received numerous reports of alleged syndicated corruption at Anyeke Health Centre IV, where patients seeking medical services were reportedly being extorted.
He warned health workers against demanding unlawful payments from patients, saying the facility receives essential medical supplies from the Government every month and should therefore not require patients to pay for services through unofficial channels.