By Our Reporter
KABERAMAIDO
Chief Magistrate Lydia Kambidha has remanded laboratory technician Uche Gerald Erayu to Kaberamaido Government Prison until December 19, 2024, when his case will be mentioned in court.
Erayu, facing 20 counts of forgery and document falsification, stands accused of using forged academic qualifications to secure a job in the medical field in Kaberamaido hospital.
Erayu, who was on the run after jumping bond, was apprehended by police officers from his hideout in Kalaki and Soroti before being presented in court on Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024.
Upon hearing the charges, Erayu pleaded guilty to forging academic documents, including certificates from Naalya SS, Mulago Paramedical School, and Kalaki SS, among others.
Investigations by the police and the Allied Health Professional Council, the regulatory body for health laboratory technicians in Uganda, revealed that Erayu was not registered with the council, as indicated in the police report.
It was also discovered that he had falsified his academic transcripts, certificate of registration, and annual practicing license. Further inquiries uncovered that Erayu did not attend A-level studies or any medical institution.
Erayu’s troubles began when a whistleblower alerted the Inspector General of Government (IGG), accusing him of falsifying documents to gain employment.
His actions have now triggered further investigations into district officials allegedly involved in the scandal. These include Ejoku Damian, the former District Service Commission chairperson; Ocen Peter, the principal human resources officer and secretary of the district commission; Atim Jerry, the Lab Technologist and Erayu’s father, Joseph Esiru, a senior hospital administrator.
Atim Jerry has stated that she was pressured into recruiting Erayu despite his lack of qualifications for the job. The case continues to develop, with further implications for local officials in Kaberamaido.
Kaberamaido Police arrested Eryau on the 24 of July, 2024 for allegedly using forged academic papers to secure his job.
The Chief Administrative Officer, Ddamba Henry, subsequently interdicted Erayu, citing doubts about his qualifications and the potential risk to public health.
Meanwhile Joseph Esiru, Kaberamaido Hospital Administrator and also the father to Gerald Erayu a prime suspect was also arrested on the 5th August 2024 and detained at Kaberamaido Police station but was later released on police bond.
