Pallisa, Uganda | A midwife attached to Pallisa General Hospital has been arrested over allegations of professional negligence and extortion following the death of a newborn during an attempted delivery. Annet Achom was arrested on Thursday, August 14, on the directive of Pallisa Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Dikusooka Majid.
According to preliminary findings, Kagwoye Tabitha, a resident of Kwarikwari Village in Kameke Sub-county, was admitted at Pallisa General Hospital at about 4:00pm on August 12 while in active labour. Her husband, Simon Ogwari, had initially taken her to Kaboloi Health Centre III, where clinicians reportedly established that the baby was in breech presentation and referred her to Pallisa General Hospital for an emergency Caesarean section.
Upon arrival at Pallisa General Hospital, Achom, who was reportedly the midwife on duty, allegedly took Kagwoye and her relatives to a private room instead of admitting her to the maternity ward and alerting medical officers. The family further alleged that Achom demanded Shs300,000 before treatment could proceed and assured them that she could deliver the baby normally despite the referral for surgery.
RDC Dikusooka said the family’s inability to raise the money immediately allegedly delayed appropriate care. Investigators further allege that Achom proceeded with an attempted vaginal delivery, during which the baby suffered fatal complications. Medical officers were later called in and performed an emergency Caesarean section to remove the retained fetal head and save the mother’s life.
The baby’s remains were later released to the family for burial in Kwarikwari Village, while Kagwoye remains admitted at Pallisa General Hospital receiving post-operative care. The matter was formally reported by Opio Simon, the Community Development Officer of Kameke Sub-county, who raised concern over allegations that some health workers continue to demand illegal payments from patients.
Following the report, Dikusooka convened an emergency meeting attended by the hospital superintendent, Okoth; hospital administrator, Elwana; medical officers, the complainant and relatives who had accompanied the patient. After reviewing witness statements, the RDC said there was a presumptive case of dereliction of duty, professional misconduct and extortion.
Dikusooka subsequently directed the District Criminal Investigations Department to arrest Achom pending further investigations. “This is a deeply unfortunate and preventable tragedy. Just two weeks ago, I convened hospital management and staff and issued a stern warning against negligence and extortion in the delivery of health services,” he said.
The RDC urged the bereaved family to remain calm and allow the law to take its course, warning public servants that there would be zero tolerance for corruption, misconduct and negligence in the provision of public services. He also commended Dr Andrew Benjamin Ojulong for his intervention, saying his actions were instrumental in saving the mother’s life.
District authorities said they would strengthen supervision and accountability in health facilities across Pallisa to prevent similar incidents. The case file is being processed for possible charges, including criminal negligence, abuse of office and extortion under the Penal Code Act, Cap 120, pending completion of investigations.