Soroti, Uganda – Dr. Godfrey Egwau, a retired medical officer and proprietor of Welfare Clinic, is in police custody following the death of Lucy Aluka, a parish chief from Kapelebyong, during childbirth at his facility.
Aluka, who had sought medical care for labor pains on January 23, 2025, was recommended for a cesarean section by Dr. Egwau, which he performed the following day.
While initial signs suggested a successful procedure, with the newborn crying, the family’s relief quickly turned into fear as nurses revealed that Aluka’s condition was critical.
Confusion and suspicion deepened when a patient at the clinic claimed to have seen a body being loaded into Dr. Egwau’s vehicle late in the night.
The family later discovered Aluka’s body at Bethesda Mortuary, but attempts to retrieve it were blocked by mortuary staff, who insisted on authorization from Dr. Egwau.
The family, determined to uncover the truth, sought a postmortem examination at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital but faced resistance.
They turned to the police, who facilitated a postmortem by the Regional Police Surgeon in Mbale. The results revealed that Aluka died of severe postpartum hemorrhage, a condition caused by excessive bleeding after childbirth.
East Kyoga Regional Police Commander Damalie Nachuha confirmed Dr. Egwau’s arrest, stating that investigations are ongoing under a general inquiry file (DEF 001/2025).
“We are handling this matter with the utmost seriousness to ensure justice for the deceased and her family,” Nachuha said.
Dr. Egwau, a former senior medical officer at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital who transitioned to private practice and politics, is currently being held at the Regional Police Station.
His arrest has sparked conversations around maternal healthcare and accountability within private medical facilities.
The tragic incident highlights the dire need for improved monitoring and regulation of medical practices, ensuring that no family has to endure such preventable loss again.
