A medical intern at Luweero General Hospital has been arrested for allegedly extorting money from a patient’s family in exchange for medical services, an incident that has reignited concerns over corruption within Uganda’s public healthcare system.
According to the Territorial Police in Luweero District, the intern was apprehended on August 5, 2025, in a joint operation involving law enforcement and hospital administrators.
The arrest followed a tip-off from a local anti-corruption watchdog, which reported that the intern had demanded payment for a childbirth procedure a service that is supposed to be offered free of charge in public health facilities.
Authorities say the suspect was caught in the act and taken into custody shortly after receiving an illegal payment of UGX 250,000 from the patient’s family.
The money was recovered and has been entered into evidence.
ASP Sam Twiineamazima, Savannah Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Wednesday.
He reiterated the police force’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and vowed that such cases would be handled with the full force of the law.
By Ben Musanje
6th Aug 2025
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