Ngoma health centre in-charge arrested over stolen solar batteries

The two solar batteries photographed disconnected from Ngoma Health Centre IV's maternity ward power room on April 16, 2026, hours before they vanished into the Officer-in-Charge's home. PHOTO | COURTESY

The in-charge of Ngoma Health Centre IV in Nakaseke district has been arrested by the police over two solar batteries reportedly stolen from the facility`s maternity ward last Thursday.

Dr Mukuzi Muhereza, 50, who is also the former Secretary General of Uganda Medical Association, was picked up on Friday, 17, after the batteries that went missing were recovered from his home, kept beneath his bed.

His arrest followed suspicion by a support staff member in the maternity ward who noticed that the solar batteries, registration number 200AH Gel, were missing from the immunisation room`s power supply.

It is reported that the support staff demanded an explanation from the security personnel on guard, something that uncovered that the batteries were dismantled on the instruction of Dr Muherez initially to be taken to Kalege Health Centre III in Nakaseke South Constituency, though they were not taken.

The curious staff cautioned the security guard, then took photograph of the dismantled lighting system, and posted on the heath centre`s WhatsApp group indicating irregularities and foul play.

"I told him to take it seriously before he is handcuffed, because this is government property," the staff member who preferred a condition of anonymity recounted.

Following the post, Dr Muhereza, who is a member of the same WhatsApp group, responded, stating that management was aware of the situation. The next day, staff members were astonished to discover that the batteries in question had gone missing, prompting an inquiry.

Upon more questioning, the security guard subsequently disclosed that the in-charge had returned in his personal motor vehicle, asked for the guard's assistance to open the power room, loaded the batteries himself in his private vehicle, and drove away.

Acting on intelligence, police officers swung into action and searched the suspect`s home in Ngoma B Zone in Ngoma Town Council, leading to the discovery.

Savannah Regional Police spokesperson, ASP Sam Twineamazima, said, "On April 17, 2026, at around 0800hrs, police recovered two 200AH Gel-type solar batteries, China-made, stolen from the power room at Ngoma Health Centre IV."

Explaining that; ‘’Dr Muhereza had disconnected the batteries on Thursday, April 16, at noon without informing staff, before returning the next morning to physically remove them in his vehicle.’’

"Acting on intelligence, police rushed to the suspect's residence, recovered the batteries from the children's room in his main house, and arrested him," ASP Twineamazima said.

Under questioning, Dr Muhereza claimed he was transporting the batteries to the District Health Officer's office in line with a meeting held on April 8, 2026, during which a decision was allegedly made to redistribute equipment to other health centres. Confirmation of this account from the DHO remains pending, police said.

Dr Muhereza, a resident of Ngoma B Zone in Ngoma Town Council, is also said to operate a private medical facility in the same area.

The batteries are critical to lighting the maternity wing of the facility, including the delivery room.

Sources say a microscope and two computers also recently disappeared from Ngoma Health Centre IV mysteriously, a matter that is still under investigation.

Beyond his administrative role at the health centre, Dr Muhereza is also a member of the Uganda Medical Association and served as the association's Secretary-General between 2017 and 2020.

He is currently held at Butalangu Central Police Station, facing charges of theft and abuse of office, as more inquiries continue.