Police recover stolen government drugs worth millions

Police in Moyo District have recovered assorted government drugs and medical equipment, which the authorities claim is sufficient enough to supply the health Centre III facility.
Items recovered include Covid-19 relief medical items, like temperature guns, sanitizers, boxes of anti-malarial drugs, Paracetamol, Ciprofloxacin, medical gloves and laundry soap. Others are Blood pressure machines and inverters.
The stolen items were recovered on Sunday afternoon in a hidden store at Central II village in Moyo Town Council, Moyo District.
Police patrol vehicle made three trips to transport the recovered items to Moyo Central Police station.
Police have arrested and detained Mr Michael Mundrugo, the supplies officer attached to the district drug store. He was reportedly found taking stock at the hidden drug store at the time of his arrest.
According to Mr William Obulejo Butti, an eyewitness, locals in the area got suspicious and informed police because trucks could regularly offload unknown items in the isolated store but the premises remain closed during the day.
“The locals here got concerned and wanted to know what is taking place in the neighbourhood, something that prompted them to inform police to help them understand what is being kept in the isolated building,” Mr Butti said.
Mr Williams Anyama, the district Local Council chairperson, said it was unfair for public officers to steal medical items meant for the sick vulnerable people.
“I condemn such barbaric act in the strongest terms, stealing drugs means depriving sick people of their right to proper medical care I appeal for thorough investigations and possible prosecution of the offenders”, Mr Anyama said.
Mr JB Sam Asusi, the Moyo district secretary for health has applauded the locals in the area for being vigilant saying their identities would be protected following a tip-off that enabled the authorities recover the stolen items.
“I appeal to public officers to desist from theft of government and individual properties because the act is immoral and punishable by the law,” Mr Asusi said.
Mr Asusi, said there was a need for police to pick interest in interrogating security guards attached to the drug store since such magnitude of theft may involve other accomplices.
When contacted, Moyo district health officer Dr Franklin Idi, declined to comment saying he would get back to this reporter before hanging up the phone.
Ms Josephine Angucia, the West Nile police spokesperson confirmed that incident but also declined to comment on the matter saying she will make an official statement later.
“Our officers have recovered stolen items in Moyo but I am yet to get details from my counterparts from that side”, Ms Angucia said.