Kiryandongo Hospital doctor arrested for alleged medical extortion

Police in Uganda's Kiryandongo District have arrested Moses Baluku, an anaesthetic officer at Kiryandongo General Hospital, following allegations of extortion. Baluku is accused of demanding Shs150,000 from the relative of Winnie Zamukunda, a 22-year-old patient requiring emergency surgery for a uterine tear.

The money was reportedly handed to Baluku by the patient's aunt, Georgina Kabaseke, while the patient was being prepared for the procedure. The matter was reported to the Resident District Commissioner, leading to Baluku's arrest on the hospital premises. Police have secured the Shs150,000 as an exhibit and stated that Baluku will face charges of extortion and obtaining money by false pretences once investigations are complete.

This incident follows a recent directive from Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara, who ordered the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the hospital's management over separate allegations of corruption, including the sale of government medicines and abuse of office.