Masindi Regional Hospital

By: Innocent Atuganyira

Health workers at Masindi General Hospital have been warned against staging a sit-down strike following the recent arrest of two hospital staff members and an alleged impersonator over suspected extortion and neglect of duty.

The warning was issued by the Acting Executive Consultant at Masindi General Hospital, Dr Rogers Musinguzi, during an interview with our reporter.

Musinguzi alleged that some individuals he described as “mafias”, working with a section of hospital staff, are attempting to resist measures aimed at curbing extortion and improving accountability at the facility. He said the group was also mobilising some health workers to stage a sit-down strike.

He cautioned staff against taking industrial action outside the provisions of labour laws, saying any strike must be based on a genuine grievance and conducted in accordance with established procedures.

The warning comes amid heightened scrutiny of operations at the hospital following the arrest of two health workers, Police say the suspects are being investigated and that the case will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for guidance once investigations are complete.

Musinguzi further disclosed that 29 staff members at Masindi General Hospital have been referred to the Masindi District Local Government Rewards and Sanctions Committee for disciplinary consideration. He said one of those referred is a doctor at the facility.

According to Musinguzi, the district authorities have also directed all health workers at the hospital to wear uniforms bearing their names to make it easier for patients and hospital management to identify staff members. The measure applies regardless of whether the uniform is provided by government or obtained by the individual staff member.

The hospital administration has been implementing several measures aimed at addressing allegations of extortion and improving accountability. These include displaying contact numbers of district leaders to enable patients report suspected cases of extortion and requiring health workers to wear identifiable uniforms.

Meanwhile, Masindi District Secretary for Social Services William Mwambu said he had directed the Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigations Department at Masindi Central Police Station to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the hospital’s acting executive consultant.

Mwambu said the investigation is intended to establish whether the arrest was based on a genuine complaint or whether there were other factors behind the incident. The developments come amid growing concerns over alleged extortion and neglect of duty at Masindi General Hospital, with district authorities and police stepping up investigations and disciplinary measures.