By Simon Komakec

EXTORTION: Territorial police in Lira district have arrested Benedict Ogwal, the theater assistant at Ogur Health Center IV, for demanding money from patients before carrying out operations. 

It is alleged that on October 7, 2024, at around 8 p.m., the District Police Commander (DPC) of Lira received information over issues of extortion at Ogur HCIV by a team operating in the theater. Ogwal was mentioned to be leading the said team. Immediately, a police report reads, “The district CID officer and the team responded and arrested one suspect” and a “case of extortion registered at CPS Lira.” 

“Some exhibits were recovered, i.e., 3 bars of soap, 3 buckets of detergent, and some money got with Ogwal Benedict,” the report reads in part. 

Preliminary findings indicate that Ogwal was asking for money amounting to Shs 200,000 from patients who were supposed to be operated. Prior to his arrest, three victims paid Shs 150,000 each, plus a bucket of detergent and a bar of soap to be operated. Four patients were operated on on October 7, 2024, having paid “some money.” Another patient was operated on on the condition that she would bring money worth Shs 200000 on October 8, 2024. 

“This is happening in many health facilities, but community members fail to report to the police due to fear of not being attended to. We encourage members of the public to report for arrest and prosecution,” reads the report from the North Kyoga Policing Region.