Stolen mosquito nets impounded

Mubende RDC Florence Beyunga (Left) and the DPC Joseph Engulu inspect the stolen mosquito nets on Wednesday. PHOTO BY JOSEPHINE NNABBAALE

Mubende- Police in Mubende District have impounded mosquito nets worth Shs32m suspected to have been stolen from government health centres in the district.

The district police commander, Mr Joseph Engulu, said the mosquito nets were impounded in an operation aimed at cracking down on unscrupulous health workers who steal government drugs and equipment.

“We acted on a tip-off from our informers and managed to arrest the suspect. He was transporting 21 bales of mosquito nets donated by government using a Kampala-bound taxi we intercepted on the highway,” he said in an interview on Wednesday.

The suspect said he was informed by a colleague in Mubende that there was merchandise to buy but never knew that they were stolen goods.

Ms Florence Beyunga, the Resident District Commissioner, said her office has received numerous complaints of drugs and equipment being stolen from government health facilities, but had not yet arrested any suspects.

“I am happy that this time round, police have managed to arrest this suspect and he will lead us to those who sell items donated to health centres to him,” she said.

The theft of government drugs and equipment prompted President Museveni in 2010 to establish the State House Health Monitoring Unit.

The unit has unearthed several unscrupulous dealings in the drugs-supply chain from the National Medical Stores to public health facilities.

Last year, the unit said many stolen drugs are being sold in DR Congo, South Sudan and Kenya.