Health Officers Investigated for Extorting Schools Over Monkeypox and Ebola

Four health officers in Katakwi District are under investigation for allegedly soliciting money from school administrators while conducting inspections for Monkeypox and Ebola prevention measures.

According to a source who wished to remain anonymous, health authorities visited her school on Wednesday to check on the state of preparedness for Monkeypox prevention measures and demanded money, threatening to close the facility if the money was not provided.

The source said the inspection team visited the boys' and girls' dormitories, where they reported that the dormitory prefects lacked proper hand-washing facilities. The officers, who are also accused of charging between 500,000 to one million Shillings for each school visit, allegedly cited boarding section congestion as the reason for the demand.

An eyewitness recounted that the health officers forced the headteacher to attend a closed-door meeting, where they demanded money or else the dormitories would be shut down. In a panic, the headteacher complied with their demands and made the payment.

Dr. Simon Ichumar Omeke, the Katakwi District Health Officer, confirmed the formation of a task force assigned to ensure schools in the district adhered to government protocols for preventing Monkeypox. He noted that all school administrators were briefed before the start of the term on the signs and symptoms of monkeypox.

Dr. Omeke explained that the health team had planned to visit all 78 schools in the district to monitor their compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for controlling monkeypox. However, he condemned the actions of the four health officers involved, stating that they had used the inspection process as an opportunity for personal gain. 

He promised that disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible for soliciting money in the name of enforcing public health protocols. Katakwi District has reported at least two confirmed cases of monkeypox. Vincent Xavier Okwii, the acting Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Katakwi, confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing. 

He assured the public that any official found guilty of misconduct would be held accountable for their actions. The suspects, who were driving a silver vehicle with registration number UBG 205 L, were reportedly cited at one of the schools in the Katakwi area.