MBALE – John Stanley Mateka, 24 – the in-charge of the Community Health Plan in Kapiyia parish, Nankodo sub-County in Kibuku district was arrested on Monday for allegedly stealing essential drugs – the property of the Government of Uganda.
Samuel Semewo – the Bukedi Region Police spokesperson, said that Mateka was intercepted on Monday while travelling to Mbale with 27 boxes of Lumartem Malaria drugs each comprising 30 Sackets.
According to Semewo, the suspect was spotted at Kibuku H/CIV with a plastic bag before moving to the Mbale taxi stage with the government drugs. He explains that police picked up the suspect following a tip-off from one of the local councillors who also doubles as a member of the District Health committee.
“A case of theft of drugs has been registered at the police station under reference SD: 33/16/01/023,” he said.
Mamba Charles, an LCV councillor, said that there has been suspicion about the theft of government drugs and they were investigating as the district health committee.
“We are going to intensify regular spot check-ups of the health facilities within the district to curb the theft of drugs,” he said. The theft of government drugs isn’t unique to Kibuku district, several health workers have been arrested nationwide for the same crime.
