Beef up security to curb health centres break-ins - Nabbanja

Nabbanja advised health facilities to employ trained security guards from recognised security companies.

She was responding to a written question raised by Catherine Lamwaka Member of Parliament (MP) Omoro District during Prime Minister’s Time on Thursday, 19 October 2023, regarding rampant break-ins of several health centres in Northern Uganda, leading to loss of medical supplies and other equipment.

Between April and September 2023, more than 10 health centres in Acholi sub-region were broken into and drugs worth millions of shillings stolen.

According to Lamwaka, on 23rd and 26th June 2023, unknown people broke into Palenga Health Centre II in Tochi County and Tegot Health Centre II in Omoro County and took several medical items including; 135 boxes of malaria test strips and 43 boxes of Coartem drugs.

In Kitgum District, a microscope and anti-malaria drugs were stolen from Padre Health Centre II while Kaladima Health Centre II in Amuru District lost solar panels, drugs, a computer and TV screen.

“This matter of theft of drugs in the month of April was raised in this House and brought to the attention of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Health. It is worrying that the cases are even becoming more,” Lamwaka said.

In response, Nabbanja said several suspects have been apprehended and prosecuted in court as security and intelligence are beefed up.

“Cases that are still open are still undergoing investigations. Intelligence has been beefed up and there are rapid response contingencies to deal with theft from health centres,” Nabbanja said.

She added that district security committees have embarked on massive sensitisation of the masses to ensure vigilance and report cases where government drugs are found in private clinics.

Nabbanja said that in some cases, like it was in Koro Lapinat Health Centre III in Alebtong District, thieves have colluded with nurses, in-charges, and security guards to steal the drugs.