Medic charged, remanded over sh4m drug theft

COURT|CRIME|CORRUPTION|DRUGS

KAMPALA - Henry Ssenfuma, a medical representative with Joint Medical Stores (JMS) has been remanded to Luzira Prisons for allegedly stealing drugs worth sh4m.

Prosecution alleges that Ssenfuma on October 10 and 11, 2016, at JMS offices in Nsambya, a Kampala suburb, stole drugs (800 packs of ampicillin/cloxacillin capsules) worth sh4m.

He is accused of forging a proforma invoice order, purporting that the supply of the same on credit to Baka Pharmaceuticals Limited had been authorised by the manager WareHouse and Amigos Health Care Services and Supplies, respectively, whereas not.

Proforma invoice is a preliminary bill of sale that comes in advance of delivery, issued by sellers to buyers. Ssenfuma is a resident of Majanje Road Busia Town in Busia district.

Appearing before Anti-Corruption Court, Grade One Magistrate Sarah Namusobya, Thursday, the accused denied the charges of embezzlement and forgery. He was charged under Section 19, 342, and 347, of the Anti-Corruption Court and Penal Code Act, respectively.

The offence of embezzlement attracts a maximum sentence of 14-years imprisonment upon conviction while forgery elicits three-year jail term.

The magistrate declined to hear the bail application of the accused after he presented one person to stand surety for him in court.

"I would have heard your bail application if you heard at least two people to stand surety for you," she said.

State Attorney Harriet Ongom, from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) informed the court that investigations are complete and asked the court to fix a hearing date.

However, outside the courtroom, the accused was heard requesting the state prosecutor to organise a plea bargain programme.

Plea bargain is an arrangement between a prosecutor and an accused whereby the accused pleads guilty to the charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence.

The magistrate adjourned the case to October 8, 2020 for the hearing of the accused's bail application.  

JMS is a non-government organisation in Uganda, mandated to procure, store and distribute human medication and health-related consumable items to health units, owned by the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau and the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau. It was established in 1979.