Global Fund files stolen from Health ministry

Kampala- Police are investigating an incident where computers containing sensitive information on the Global Fund activities and money transactions were stolen from the Ministry of Health headquarters in Kampala.

Kampala metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire said the break-in points to an inside job.

“The investigation at the ministry does not show forced entry so we suspect it could have been an inside job. All the people who occupy that office of Global Fund were interviewed by our officers and the investigations are going on,” Mr Owoyesigire said.
The computers and documents were stolen on the same night intruders also broke into office of the neighbouring Government Analytical Laboratory in Wandegeya on May 6.

The intruders stole vital information about criminal and high-level investigations.

Mr Owoyesigire said detectives found the doors to the affected office intact, implying there was no forcible entry.
Two police officers attached to the ministry have already been arrested and charged with neglect of duty.
“The officers were supposed to ensure that nothing is taken out. They failed in their duties,” he said.
Mr Owoyesigire said the motive of the intruders is still unknown.

The Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Diana Atwine, said they were still awaiting the outcome of the police investigations into the incident.

“The incident happened soon after officers (in Global Fund office) handed over office. They (burglars) deleted some of the information from some computers and even took files. We reported the matter to police, but we have not yet got response about the investigations,” Dr Atwine told Daily Monitor by telephone yesterday.

The break-in comes at a time when the ministry is investigating misappropriation of funds in several projects, including Global Fund.

Global Fund programme supports projects and activities aimed at fighting HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria prevalence.

Uganda has been receiving funding, but there have been various incidents of fraud where money has been swindled leading to prosecution of senior government officials, including health ministers.
Police are still investigating whether there is a link between the two break-in incidents.

At Government Analytical Laboratory, the intruders broke in using a secret exit which only senior staff knew about.
The culprits stole central processing units which store DNA findings in pending major criminal investigations.

Two police officers who were guarding the premises were arrested for neglect of duty.
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