Police at Soroti Central Police Station have detained Dr Derrick Tukwasiibwe, a dental surgeon attached to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, over allegations of extorting money from patients and denying them medical treatment.
Dr Tukwasiibwe was arrested following intelligence reports linking him to several alleged cases of extortion at the hospital.
Preliminary investigations centre on the case of Joseph Ocen, who was reportedly attacked by an unknown gang while returning home at night. A passerby rescued Ocen and rushed him to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
At the hospital’s emergency department, medical examinations revealed that Ocen had sustained a fractured jaw requiring specialised attention from a dental surgeon. He was subsequently referred to the dental unit, where he was attended to by Dr Tukwasiibwe.
According to preliminary findings, Dr Tukwasiibwe allegedly demanded 350,000 Shillings to operate him. When Ocen and his family failed to raise the full amount, the doctor allegedly withheld and concealed the patient’s medical file for more than two days, preventing him from receiving the required treatment.
The family later managed to raise 200,000 shillings, but Dr Tukwasiibwe allegedly rejected the money and insisted on the full amount of 350,000. The matter eventually attracted the attention of security personnel, who launched an investigation into the whereabouts of Ocen’s medical file and the circumstances surrounding the delay in his treatment.
It is alleged that the missing file prevented nurses from administering the necessary treatment, leaving Ocen without the medical care he required.
The hospital administration said Dr Tukwasiibwe had previously been warned several times over alleged extortion and the mishandling of patients but had failed to change his conduct.
“We gathered the information and successfully talked to him on several occasions, but he would not desist from these acts until security took action. This is a very serious misconduct, especially considering that a patient could have died while the hospital had all the necessary medicine to treat him,” the administration said.
Hospital officials described the alleged conduct as gross negligence, warning that withholding treatment from patients could have fatal consequences.
“This is complete negligence that could have resulted in the patient’s death, yet the facility had the necessary medicine and equipment needed for the operation. We have left it to the police to continue their investigation into Dr Tukwasiibwe’s actions and charge him accordingly,” the administration added.
Police confirmed that Dr Tukwasiibwe remains in custody and has been charged with attempted felony. The case file has since been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for further guidance as investigations continue.
Ibrahim Saiga, the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander, confirmed that the suspect was in custody but said police would address the media on the matter once investigations are complete-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
