12 health workers held over drug theft

Jan 11, 2010

OVER 12 health workers in Soroti district have been arrested over theft of government drugs. The Grade One Magistrate, Patrick Kityo, remanded them to Soroti Prison last week.

By James Odong
and Felix Osuju

OVER 12 health workers in Soroti district have been arrested over theft of government drugs. The Grade One Magistrate, Patrick Kityo, remanded them to Soroti Prison last week.

The arrests were carried out during a joint operation by the Police and internal security agencies.

The mid-eastern Police spokesperson, Juma Nyene, said they had got several complaints from the public about the sale of government drugs.

“We sent our detectives to the clinics and drug shops to investigate and this led us to the operation,” Nyene said.
The suspects reportedly said they get the drugs from government health units.

Prosecution led by the Resident State Attorney, James Opio, told court that the suspects carried out business without licences, unlawfully possessed drugs and supplied restricted drugs.

One of the accused, Brenda Ilingat, was released on bail due to poor health. The others, who all denied the charges, were sent back on remand until January 22.

Those remanded were the in-charge of Morungatuny Health Centre III, Lydia Abonyo, a clinical officer, Beatrice Adongo, a health worker, Susan Ipoot, a registered nurse, John Joseph Ebitu, a records assistant, Brian Aseu, a laboratory technician in a community-based NGO, Valentine Aculet, a driver who owns a drug shop in Tororo district, Ibrahim Oboi and William Etolu.

Over the past few months, the Police have mounted operations to check the theft of government drugs.

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