Atipe Health Centre III In-Charge arrested over alleged government drug theft

21 September 2025, 9:57 am

By Okello Solomon and Eman yonah oruk

Four staff members of Atipe Health Centre III in Acaba Sub county, Oyam District, are in police custody over allegations of stealing government drugs.

The suspects include Lameck Olal, the facility in-charge; Winny Akello, the storekeeper; Anyoti Bosco, the askari (security guard); and Ronald Akeca, the potter.

They were arrested on Saturday evening at the health facility and taken to Oyam Central Police Station on the orders of the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Oyam District, Francis Behangana.

It is alleged that an unspecified consignment of drugs was delivered to Atipe Health Centre III on 18 September 2025 but was stolen on Saturday morning. Among the commonly stolen items were Coatem, RADT kits, and HIV test kits.

Deputy RDC Behangana said police searched the staff quarters and recovered government drugs from the homes of some staff members, leading to their arrest. He also appealed to other medical workers involved in similar acts to repent before they are arrested and prosecuted in court.

Speaking to Shine FM, facility in-charge Lameck Olal said he received a call from the askari informing him that the store door had been tampered with. Upon inspection, they discovered that the recently delivered drugs were missing and reported the matter to Acaba Sub county Police Post.

Olal added that although he could not quantify the stolen drugs, he confirmed they were essential medicines stored together in one large box.

This is not the first time government drugs have been stolen in Oyam District this year. In April, George Okeng and Ambrose Ameny, a volunteer at Ngai Health Centre III, were arrested for stealing medical drugs and attempting to transport them to an unknown destination.

The incident comes after Frederick Herbert Kitutu, the Chief Administrative Officer of Oyam District, issued a stern warning to health officials during the third quarterly health performance review held on 14 June 2025 at Rainbow Hotel in Oyam Town Council.

He explicitly cautioned health workers—particularly those in charge—against the theft of government drugs. Kitutu emphasised that anyone found guilty would be held accountable, either by losing their job or facing imprisonment.

He stressed that this was the final warning and urged in-charges to take the matter seriously, stating there would be no mercy for offenders.