Police in Kampala have said they are having in their custody 12 suspects on allegations of illegal selling and administering of government COVID-19 vaccines in their private pharmacies and hospitals.
The suspects include seven (7) suspects who were arrested at First Pharmacy in Wandegeya and five (5) suspects who were arrested at Victoria Hospital Kampala.
The police spokesperson CP Fred Enanga identified the seven suspects arrested from First Pharmacy Wandegeya as; Seremba Festo, Mushabe Festo, Lyanzi Deogratius Arnold, Cherop Nelson, Tayebwa Viola, Sekasi Julius and Nakadya Julian. They were caught red handed while administering the vaccine to their clients
Whereas the five suspects who were from Victoria Hospital are; Karuhanga Perez, Dusabe Rosemary, Linda Plagya, Mutungi Martha and Kushemererwa Ester, who were also arrested, while administering vaccines.
The suspects were arrested in a joint security operation conducted in the last 8 days (since the lockdown was declared) on pharmacies which had illegally acquired government vaccines minting moneys on the expense of Ugandans.
He (Enanga) said that the suspects are being held on charges of being in unlawful possession of government stores, conspiracy and theft.
“We also conducted raids on pharmacies that had illegally acquired government vaccines for their selfish gains for profit at the expense of Ugandans. At least 7 suspects were arrested on reliable intelligence information that stolen government COVID-19 vaccines were recovered from the Wandegeya complex that houses First Pharmacy, True Care Medical Centre and Modern Diagnostic Laboratory.”
Police recovered over 803 Astra Zeneca vaccines, thousands of empty virals supposed to be returned to government health facilities for accountability, over 1000 Ministry of Health vaccination cards and consent forms.
Further raids were conducted at Kiswa Health Centre and Naguru Health Centre where stamps Stamps, and Test tubes among other equipments meant for government hospitals use were recovered.
At Victoria hospital Kampala, 62 vaccines were recovered, test tubes, vaccination cards and consent forms.
“Police said the operation is ongoing and the suspects are being processed for court on charges of being in unlawful possession of government stores, conspiracy and theft,” read excerpts of a statement issued by police on tight enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions.
Enanga noted that police are investigating theft of oxygen cylinders at Mbale Referral Hospital which went missing a couple of weeks ago.
It is recalled that one of alleged stolen oxygen cylinders belonging to Mbale referral was recovered at Health for Life General Clinic and Laboratory in Mbale.
The Deputy Director of the Clinic Cherotich Jobs has since been arrested to help police in investigation.
