LIRA, UGANDA (July 16, 2025) – Police in Lira District are investigating a significant theft of vital medical supplies from Akangi Health Center II, alongside allegations of serious neglect of duty by staff, leading to the arrest of two employees.
The incident occurred at the health facility located in Awigwenowir village, Akangi Parish, Ogur Sub-County, sometime before 4:00 PM on Monday, July 14th. Assistant Nursing Officer and facility caretaker Akullu Anyes reported the crime to police.
According to the report, unknown thieves broke into the health center's locked store and stole a large quantity of essential medicines and supplies, including:82 boxes of male condoms, 93 boxes of adult Coartem (malaria treatment),37 boxes of children's Coartem,53 boxes of Malaria RDT testing kits,15 boxes of Amoxicillin capsules
The stolen items are estimated to be worth Three Million Two Hundred Seventy Thousand Shillings (UGX 3,270,000).
Police have registered a case file covering Store Breaking, Theft of Drugs, and Neglect of Duty. Following a visit to the crime scene and documentation, a search led to a significant development: numerous items belonging to the health center were recovered from the residence of the facility's security guard, identified as Okwir Calvin. Recovered items included 14 boxes of implants, yellow and red bin liners, one tracker machine, 14 books of facility belongings, and 43 COVID-19 cards.
This discovery led to the arrest of two suspects:
1. Okwir Calvin, the security guard.
2. Akullu Anyes, the assistant nursing officer and caretaker who reported the crime.
Both are currently in police custody assisting with the investigation.
Preliminary findings raise serious concerns about potential internal involvement or neglect. Police noted that the padlock securing the main entrance (through which thieves accessed the store) was not forced or broken.it appears to have been opened using keys.
Adding to the context of potential neglect, police highlighted that despite staff accommodation being constructed and available at the health center, all health workers reportedly leave the workplace and reside in Lira City.
"This is a very unfortunate incident," stated SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Police Public Relations Officer for North Kyoga Region. "We shall investigate this matter thoroughly to weed out the suspects and have them taken before the courts."
Investigations into the store breaking, theft, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged neglect of duty are ongoing.
