Mbarara district officials create ghost health centres, arrested
Police in Mbarara have arrested two Bwizibwera Health Centre IV workers for allegedly establishing ghost health facilities with intention of stealing government drugs valued at over Ugx12million in past four years.
The Mbarara district LCV Chairman, Tabaro Didas confirmed the report saying they are district workers and police have been directed to take action as recommended by the district security committee against the two suspects on charges of stealing government drugs .
Tabaro revealed this during a press conference conducted at Bwizibwera police station in Bwizibwera Rutooma town council Kashari south Mbarara district yesterday.
He explained that the case of stealing was proved from the forged stamps used to sign and stamp on illegal documents by Kiyingi Edward, the dispenser and Timwijukye Florence, the store keeper serving at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV in Mbarara district.
The Resident District Commissioner(RDC) Mbarara, Turyabagyenyi Emmanuel Kateera said as central government representative is mandated to monitor government programs including delivery of government drugs in health facilities.
He said of recent, he received a letter from ministry of health questioning shortfalls in the accountability of the drugs delivered from financial year 2021/2022, 2022/2023, indicating that only fifty percent of the drugs that were delivered were accounted for.
Turyabagyenyi revealed following recommendations from the district security committee that Tumwijukye Florence in charge of stores at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV has been involved in forging official stamp of the District Health Officer and signatures of assistant district health officers to steal.
Tumwijukye requisitioned many drugs, distributed them to non existent health facilities of Rukiri and Rushambya health centre 11s which don’t exist in Mbarara district.
Turyabagyenyi further revealed that from preliminary police investigations, the alleged stolen drugs are valued at over Ugx12million.
