By Henry Okello
TORORO
The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has arrested three officials from Tororo General Hospital for alleged patient extortion and serious misconduct.
The suspects, identified as Senior Hospital Administrator Proscovia Awino, Hospital Administrator Livingston Okape, and mortuary attendant Moses Owino, were taken into custody during a monitoring visit that unveiled troubling practices in the facility on Tuesday, 14th April, 2026.
According to the IGG, Awino and Okape face accusations of charging patients between shs400,000 and shs500,000 to access essential medical services, a practice that has sparked outrage among community members.
Meanwhile, Owino reportedly overstepped his bounds, engaging in unauthorized handling of bodies, further compounding the misconduct issues within the hospital.
These arrests came as part of a comprehensive inspection led by Inspector General of Government, Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala. Prior to the operation, Batala met with local leaders to address rising concerns over corruption and failures in service delivery in the district.
“We are here to uncover the truth behind numerous allegations of job selling and integrity lapses,” Batala stated, emphasizing the need for accountability in Tororo.
During the inspection, Savio Kakooza Ntensibe, Director of Ombudsman Affairs at the IGG, expressed alarm over recruitment irregularities, questioning why individuals who had not been shortlisted for positions were nonetheless interviewed and hired.
This inconsistency echoed findings in the District Accounts Committee report, prompting some officials to admit that the District Service Commission had fallen short of its mandate.
The scrutiny extended beyond the hospital grounds as IGG officials also assessed infrastructure projects in Tororo Municipal Council.
Despite significant government funding for road improvements, many roads remain in poor condition, raising concerns over financial mismanagement.
The IGG team discovered the alarming state of Nyangole Bridge, which appeared on the verge of collapse just five years post-construction, further illustrating potential oversight failures in public works.
As the IGG continues its monitoring exercise across the Elgon sub-region, the focus remains on strengthening accountability and ensuring public service delivery.
