Five staff members attached to the National Medical Stores (NMS) and Hoima regional referral hospital have been arrested over allegations of stealing government drugs.
The suspects, identified as Habas Kizito, a driver attached to NMS; Bosco Aguerini and Moses Kiiza, also NMS employees; and Ceaser Onegiu and Ayo Justine, both from the hospital’s stores department, were arrested on Friday evening at Hoima hospital.
According to available information, NMS staff had been instructed to deliver a consignment of drugs and medical supplies to Hoima hospital on Thursday using a box-body truck, registration number UBK 912F.
However, after the offloading process, the hospital management discovered that the items received did not match the delivery note issued by NMS. A box containing Morphine syrup was missing.
The hospital immediately initiated an internal inquiry and barred the truck from leaving the premises. The security team, comprising Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel and private guards, impounded the vehicle and conducted a search.
During the inspection, the missing box of Morphine syrup was found hidden inside the truck, leading to the arrest of the five suspects. Hoima resident city commissioner (RCC) Badru Mugabi confirmed the arrests, saying detectives from Hoima city central police station had taken over the investigation.
Mugabi said the suspects are likely to face charges of theft of government drugs. He commended the hospital management for its vigilance in identifying the anomaly and preventing the theft.
A senior hospital staff member, who requested anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to the media, said suspicions arose when the quantities on the delivery note did not tally with what was offloaded.
They added that more hospital employees are under investigation for possible involvement in drug theft. However, in a statement issued Friday evening, NMS denied that its staff were involved in any wrongdoing.
According to Sheila Nduhukire, NMS public relations officer, the Morphine syrup found on the truck was part of the day’s delivery but had been marked for return as an excess unit, a routine logistical issue.
“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,” Nduhukire said.
“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.”
The incident adds to a growing list of drug theft cases at Hoima hospital. In August 2025, a hospital staff member was arrested for allegedly stealing four units of blood from the facility’s blood bank.
Acting on intelligence, security officers intercepted the suspect before he could smuggle the blood out of the hospital. Earlier, in July 2025, hospital management deployed UPDF officers to guard the main gate in response to rising cases of drug and property theft, as part of broader efforts to enhance security at the facility.
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