Hoima | Police in Hoima City are holding five staff members from the National Medical Stores (NMS) and Hoima Regional Referral Hospital over allegations of drug theft.
The suspects include Habas Kizito, a driver attached to NMS, and his colleagues Bosco Aguerini and Moses Kiiza.
Two others — Caesar Onegiu and Justine Ayo — are store attendants at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. They are currently detained at Hoima City Central Police Station.
According to preliminary information, NMS had instructed its team to deliver a consignment of medicines and medical supplies to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital on Thursday using a box-body truck, registration number UBK 912F.
However, during verification, hospital management discovered discrepancies between the consignment and the delivery note, prompting an immediate inspection.
A box containing morphine syrup — a controlled pain management drug — was found missing.
The hospital security team, which included Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel and private guards, impounded the NMS truck before it could leave the premises.
Upon searching the vehicle, they reportedly found the missing box hidden inside, leading to the arrest of the five suspects.
Hoima Resident City Commissioner Badru Mugabi confirmed the arrests, saying detectives from Hoima City Central Police Station swiftly responded and detained the suspects.
“They are being held on charges related to theft of government drugs,” Mugabi said.
Dr. Timothy Kiweewa, a senior hospital staff member representing the Hospital Director, said management became suspicious after noticing that the drugs delivered did not match the documentation from NMS.
“The drugs were meant for the hospital, but those in charge of the truck were moving some of the supplies out,” he said.
However, NMS Public Relations Officer Sheila Nduhukire denied that its staff were involved in theft.
She explained that the box in question was part of the day’s distribution consignment and was being returned as excess stock — a normal logistical occurrence during large deliveries.
“The box containing medicines was not stolen; it was an excess item being taken back to our stores,” Nduhukire said. “Such issues occasionally arise during offloading and verification.”
The impounded NMS truck has since been taken to the Hoima City Police Yard as investigations continue.
