Kiryandongo General Hospital management is facing allegations of extortion, sale of government medicines and other forms of misconduct, prompting the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the facility. The allegations emerged during an impromptu visit to the hospital by Local Government Minister Barugahara Balaam, where whistleblowers, residents and patients raised complaints about alleged corruption and poor service delivery.
Balaam said he found patients being charged for services that should be available at the government facility, including X-ray and scan services. He also said some hospital staff were allegedly demanding between Shs150,000 and Shs300,000 to provide mortuary services for bodies brought to the facility.
Balaam further alleged that patients who fail to raise the demanded money are sometimes neglected, with some reportedly dying while waiting for treatment, including expectant mothers. He has directed the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the allegations and establish the circumstances surrounding the conduct of staff at the hospital.
Balaam also raised concern over a hospital generator that he said had gone missing under unclear circumstances. He wants the hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Godfrey Kisembo, and Acting District Health Officer, Dr Irene Nabiraka, investigated and required to account for the missing equipment.
Balaam warned that staff found culpable after the investigations would face appropriate action. Jasper Okech, a resident of Kiryandongo Town Council, said residents and patients had repeatedly raised concerns about alleged extortion and other problems at the hospital, but their complaints had not been adequately addressed by management.
Kiryandongo Resident District Commissioner Dan Muganga urged residents and patients to report cases of corruption directly to his office so that they can be investigated and appropriate action taken. The hospital management had not responded to the allegations by the time of publication. The allegations have renewed concerns about accountability and service delivery at the government facility, with local leaders calling for investigations to establish the facts and restore public confidence in the hospital-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
