Kitgum Doctor arrested over extortion and illegal surgeries

6 March 2026, 10:11 PM

By David Ojok Jr.

Police in kitgum district are holding a medical officer identified as Dr. Paul Pope Okwera, who is attached to the District General Hospital, for performing illegal surgeries and extortion.

The suspect, who is in custody at the central police station, was arrested in a joint operation conducted by a team of field agents from the State House health monitoring unit and the police after a tip-off and numerous complaints.

The Kitgum district police commander, Peter Oyesigye, in an interview confirmed the arrest of Dr Paul from his home in Gangdyang cell, Pandwong division, Kitgum municipality.

Dr Ayella, Stephen Ataro, the Assistant Director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, revealed that Dr Okwera was asking patients 150,000shs and would normally refer patients to his poorly ventilated premises.

However, Dr Okello Geoffery, the medical superintendent at Kitgum General Hospital, said the hospital administration was fully unaware of Okwera’s private work.

In March 2025, the government announced a ban on civil servants in the education and health sectors from owning and operating private schools and health facilities, and illegal surgeries in Uganda constitute serious criminal acts, with penalties ranging from long-term imprisonment to life sentences.