A medical intern at Luwero General Hospital has been arrested for allegedly extorting money from a patient’s family during a childbirth procedure, in a case that has renewed concerns about corruption in Uganda’s health sector.
The suspect, identified as Yanik Balema, was taken into custody on Monday afternoon after reportedly demanding UGX 250,000 from the relatives of a woman seeking maternity care at the government facility.
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Police said the arrest followed a tip-off from a local anti-corruption watchdog, prompting a joint operation with hospital authorities.
“We received reliable information about an illegal demand for payment linked to a childbirth procedure,” said ASP Sam Twiineamazima, spokesperson for the Savannah Regional Police. “A coordinated effort between our officers and the hospital team led to the arrest.”
Balema was allegedly caught in the act, receiving the money from the patient’s family. The cash has since been recovered and will be presented as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of informal payments within Uganda’s public health system, where patients are sometimes asked to pay for services that are officially provided free of charge.
Police say they are committed to addressing such misconduct.
“Corruption in public service, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare, undermines trust and service delivery,” ASP Twiineamazima said. “We will continue to act decisively against such practices.”
Balema is currently being held at Luwero Police Station as investigations continue. Police are taking statements from witnesses and hospital staff to establish a full account of events.
The arrest comes amid wider government efforts to curb corruption in public institutions. President Yoweri Museveni recently issued a strong warning to civil servants against demanding bribes for public services, pledging to hold offenders accountable.
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