Health officials remanded over theft of government drugs

Dr Richard Ndyomugenyi, the programme manager lead his deputy, Dr Myers Lugemwa and Mr Martin Shibeki, the programme administrator to the prison bus.

What you need to know:

The arrest of the officials comes after a nine-month investigation by the Medicines and Health Service Delivery Monitoring Unit, which was established by President Museveni to investigate drugs theft in the health sector.

Kampala

Three top managers of the Malaria Control Programme, who were arrested in connection with negligence and theft of drugs worth Shs2 billion, were yesterday charged with corruption and remanded. Dr Richard Ndyomugenyi, the programme manager, his deputy, Dr Myers Lugemwa and Mr Martin Shibeki, the programme administrator, were sent to Luzira Prison by Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate, John Francis Wekesa.

Bail
The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate ordered them to reappear in court tomorrow for a ruling on whether or not to release them on bail. Before the health officials were remanded, Mr Nester Byamugisha, one of their lawyers said the Magistrate Court has powers to try and release the trio on bail. “Section 75 of the Magistrates Court Act and section and 51(i) gives this court jurisdiction to trial and grant bail in the offences of corruption,” he said.

“There is no law that excludes you from hearing the applicants’ bail application.. All Grade One Magistrates have jurisdiction to hear and grant bail on corruption charges.” However, prosecution led by Stephen Asaba opposed the application to release the accused persons on bail, saying it was only the Anti-Corruption Court that has jurisdiction to hear their bail application.

Prosecution told court that Dr Ndyomugenyi, during 2008 and 2009, neglected to ensure proper management of the requisitioning and distribution of anti-malarial drugs by the Ministry of Health staff. Court further heard that Dr Lugemwa and Mr Shibeki allegedly caused the requisition and distribution of anti-malaria drugs for the purpose of illicitly obtaining benefits for themselves or for third parties.

The arrest of the officials comes after a nine-month investigation by the Medicines and Health Service Delivery Monitoring Unit, which was established by President Museveni to investigate drugs theft in the health sector.

This is the 83th case of suspected misappropriation of drug funds that has been recorded by the body and close to 100 people have been arrested and charged with suspected drug theft. The body yesterday announced that it has recovered drugs worth Shs6 billion from private drug shops.

Additional reporting Anthony Wesaka & Mercy Nalugo