Amudat, Uganda | Police in Amudat District have arrested a health worker attached to Amudat Hospital over the alleged theft of government medicines and medical supplies intended for patients.
The suspect has been identified as Chemayek Alex, 42, an Anaesthetic Officer at Amudat Hospital. He was arrested in the early hours of Friday following an operation involving hospital security personnel and police.
According to preliminary investigations, at about 4:00 a.m., security guards on duty noticed the health worker leaving the hospital premises carrying a suspicious sack. The guards reportedly became concerned and discreetly followed him to his residence within the hospital nurses’ quarters.
Upon reaching the residence, the security personnel, assisted by a nurse who was on duty at the time, inspected the sack and allegedly recovered assorted medicines and medical supplies suspected to have been stolen from the hospital.
The incident was immediately reported to hospital management and police officers, who responded to the scene and arrested the suspect.
Police subsequently registered a case of Theft of Government Medicine under Amudat CRB 039/2026 as investigations commenced.
Items recovered from the suspect’s residence include eight bottles of Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline), one bottle of Ringer’s Lactate, a box of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test kits, a box of surgical gloves, 20 pieces of Ceftriaxone injection and two bundles of Zinc Oxide.
The Mt. Moroto Regional Police spokesperson, IP Longole Mike, confirmed the arrest and said detectives have already recorded statements from key witnesses while the scene was documented as part of the ongoing investigations.
“The suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue. We are also establishing the value of the recovered medicines before forwarding the case file to the Resident State Attorney for legal advice,” Longole said.
He commended the vigilance of hospital security personnel and medical staff whose swift response led to the recovery of the medicines and supplies before they could be lost.
The incident has raised concerns about the protection of essential medical supplies in public health facilities, especially at a time when government continues to invest heavily in improving healthcare service delivery across the country.
Police said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspect acted alone or if other individuals may have been involved in the alleged theft. Authorities are also seeking to establish the full circumstances under which the medicines were removed from hospital stores.
If prosecuted and found guilty, the suspect could face charges related to the theft and unlawful possession of government medical supplies.
The recovered medicines and medical supplies remain under police custody as exhibits pending the conclusion of investigations.
