The Nebbi District Police Commander, Aminsi Kayondo, confirmed that Odyek and his accomplices are currently in police custody, pending further investigation for the alleged theft of government drugs.
A medical worker attached to Nebbi General Hospital in Nebbi
Municipality, Nebbi District, has been arrested for stealing a significant
amount of essential drugs worth millions of shillings.
Ronald Odyek, a Dispenser/pharmacist at Nebbi General Hospital, was apprehended along with
three others on Tuesday, 16th May 2023, as revealed by the police commander in
Nebbi during a press briefing.
The Nebbi District Police Commander, Aminsi Kayondo, confirmed
that Odyek and his accomplices are currently in police custody, pending further
investigation for the alleged theft of government drugs. Kayondo stated that
the security officers were able to apprehend the suspects based on information
provided by vigilant members of the public.
This development unfolded after a
bodaboda cyclist was caught with government drugs. During interrogation, the cyclist revealed that Odyek had
instructed him to deliver the drugs to one of his customers, who operates a
drug shop at Omeyer Trading Center in Nebbi Sub-County.
The Nebbi
District LC V Chairperson, Robert Urombi, disclosed that Odyek had previously
been caught with stolen government drugs in August of the previous year at a
police checkpoint in Madi-Okollo District. The seized drugs had a value of over
800,000 Shillings.
Urombi added that during the August 2021 incident, Odyek was
apprehended along with his accomplices, including Jerry Ongiera, a nursing
assistant at Akworo Health Facility in Akworo Sub-County, and David Ocan, a
records assistant at Nyaravur Health Center in Nyaravur-Angal Town Council,
Nebbi District.
Urombi further revealed that they had pursued the case, even
involving the anti-corruption authorities, but the court proceedings had not
yet concluded. He expressed concern that despite facing charges, the suspects
had continued to work within the government system.
//Cue in: “Urombi….
Cue out:…Urombi,”//
Nebbi District has experienced repeated drug shortages due to high demand from neighboring districts such as Zombo, Madi Okollo, Pakwach, Buliisa, and even the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year, there was a delay in drug supplies from the National Medical Store, causing great suffering among the vulnerable communities in the area.
The majority of people in West Nile heavily rely on government health facilities and the
shortage of drugs often leads to a rise in fatalities, particularly within the farming communities. Meanwhile, Urombi called upon the government to strengthen the justice system, particularly in cases involving the theft of government drugs.
Alex Pithua
Freelancer