How Much is Missing from Mubende Hospital as Accountant Faces Detention Over Missing Funds

A top finance officer at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the mismanagement of over UGX 550 million in public funds, a scandal that has cast a spotlight on persistent corruption within Uganda’s public healthcare system.Henry Okumu Okori, a senior accountant at the facility, was taken into custody following a joint probe by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, flagged serious discrepancies in financial records dating back to the 2010/2011 financial year.

Authorities claim Okori misappropriated hospital funds earmarked for operational expenses, including UGX 61 million reportedly diverted for personal use. He is also accused of failing to account for a further UGX 490 million due to what investigators describe as “deliberate negligence” and poor record-keeping.

Okori was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, where he denied the charges of embezzlement and financial loss to government. He has since been remanded to Luzira Prison, with the case scheduled to continue on September 1.

The incident has triggered widespread concern among lawmakers, healthcare advocates, and citizens, many of whom are demanding a system-wide audit of how funds are managed in regional hospitals. Critics say the scandal highlights ongoing weaknesses in Uganda’s public financial management, particularly in essential service sectors.

Civil society organisations are calling on the Ministry of Health to tighten monitoring mechanisms and hold all accountable parties to justice. “This is not just about one hospital or one officer,” said one activist. “This is about a broken system that needs urgent reform.”

The upcoming court hearings are expected to feature testimony from hospital officials and government auditors, as the state builds its case against the accused