WAKISO — A Nigerian national has been arrested by the State House Health Monitoring Unit for allegedly operating an illegal mental health facility in Nkumba-Bendegere Village, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District.
Paul Esheya Onwe was apprehended following intelligence information provided by security agencies.
Authorities accuse him of running an unlicensed facility that admitted and treated patients suffering from mental illnesses without the required qualifications and operational permits.
According to Dr Warren Namara, the head of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, preliminary investigations established that the suspect was neither a licensed medical practitioner nor authorised to operate a health facility in Uganda.
“The arrest followed intelligence information from security agencies. Our investigations established that the suspect had no documentation linking him to the medical profession and was operating the facility illegally,” Namara said.
During the operation, officials reportedly recovered government drugs worth millions of shillings from the facility. The medicines included drugs used in the treatment of mental health conditions as well as those prescribed for individuals undergoing rehabilitation from substance abuse.
Investigators also found several patients at the centre, with authorities alleging that some were being kept in poor conditions. Officials reported that one patient had allegedly been confined in a toilet, raising concerns about the welfare and treatment of those admitted to the facility.
Some patients interviewed during the operation claimed that the centre charged Ugandan patients Shs80,000 per day for treatment, while foreign nationals reportedly paid up to Shs100,000 daily.
Following the arrest, authorities escorted the suspect to his rented residence, where they allegedly recovered additional quantities of government drugs.
Namara further revealed that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted obtaining some of the medicines from unidentified health workers at Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital.
“The suspect disclosed during interrogation that he had been receiving drugs from unknown health workers at Butabika Hospital. This is a serious matter that will be investigated further,” Namara said.
The State House Health Monitoring Unit has since ordered the immediate closure of the facility pending the completion of investigations.
Namara also criticised local authorities for allegedly failing to identify and stop the operation despite its existence within the community.
“We are concerned about the apparent laxity of some local authorities who allowed this facility to operate without the necessary licences and oversight. Those responsible for enforcing regulations must play their role,” he said.
Officials said the suspect is expected to face charges related to the illegal operation of a health facility, unlawful possession of government drugs and any other offences that may arise from ongoing investigations.
Health authorities and security agencies have urged members of the public to verify the credentials and licensing status of health facilities and medical practitioners before seeking treatment.
The investigation is ongoing.
