Five staff members from the National Medical Stores (NMS) and Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH) are currently detained at Hoima City Central Police Station on allegations of stealing government-supplied drugs.

The individuals in custody include Habas Kizito, an NMS driver; Bosco Aguerini and Moses Kiiza, both employed by NMS; and Ceaser Onegiu along with Ayo Justine, who are attached to the hospital’s stores department. The group was arrested on Friday evening at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.

Reports indicate that NMS had dispatched a consignment of medical supplies and drugs to the hospital on Thursday, using a box-body truck. After the consignment was offloaded, hospital administrators conducted a routine verification process. It was during this check that discrepancies emerged between the delivery and the accompanying NMS delivery note—specifically, a box of Morphine syrup was missing.

As a result, the hospital launched an internal investigation and temporarily detained the vehicle and its crew. A joint security team composed of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel and private guards stationed at the hospital impounded the truck and carried out a detailed search. They discovered the missing Morphine syrup inside the vehicle, which subsequently led to the arrest of the five suspects.

Confirming the incident, Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Badru Mugabi stated that detectives from Hoima City Central Police Station have taken charge of the investigation. He added that the suspects are expected to face charges related to the theft of government drugs. Mugabi also praised the hospital administration for promptly identifying the irregularity and thwarting the attempted theft.

A senior hospital official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to a lack of media clearance, told reporters that the alarm was raised when the delivered items failed to match the details in the delivery note. The official further revealed that other hospital employees are also under investigation for their potential involvement in drug theft.

Despite the allegations, NMS has denied any wrongdoing by its staff. In a statement issued on Friday evening, Sheila Nduhukire, the NMS Public Relations Officer, explained that the Morphine syrup in question was an excess item from the day’s delivery and was scheduled to be returned to NMS stores. She described the issue as a common logistical variance.

"National Medical Stores wishes to clarify reports circulating regarding an NMS vehicle impounded in Hoima City on Friday, October 17, 2025, after a box of medicines was found on board. Preliminary findings indicate that the box in question was part of the day’s distribution consignment and was an excess that had to be brought back to NMS.

Such occurrences are normal and often arise from routine logistical discrepancies during offloading and verification processes. We are working closely with security agencies to provide all necessary documentation and to support their ongoing verification," reads the NMS statement.

This event adds to a growing list of drug-related scandals at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. In August 2025, a hospital employee was apprehended for allegedly attempting to steal four units of blood from the hospital’s blood bank. Security officers, acting on a tip-off, arrested the individual before the stolen blood could be smuggled out.

Back in July 2025, the hospital administration had already taken steps to address ongoing security issues by deploying UPDF personnel to guard the main gate, aiming to deter drug and property theft at the facility.

Source: URN