Agency
Dr. Pope Paul Okwera, a medical doctor at Kitgum General Hospital, has been arrested for allegedly conducting surgery in his home, a gross violation of medical ethics and the law.
The State House Health Monitoring Unit swooped in on Dr Okwera’s residence in Gandyang Cell, Kitgum Municipality, following a tip-off that he was using his home as an ungazetted health facility.
Dr Ataro Ayella, Assistant Director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, revealed that Dr Okwera was not only performing surgeries at home but also diverting patients from the hospital to his facility, where they were allegedly subjected to extortion.
Dr. Ayella also stated that they are yet to establish other complaints which have been sent to them, and Dr. Okwera has multiple charges against him, including extortion, professional negligence, operating illegally without a license, and falsification of information from Kitgum General Hospital.
One of Dr. Okwera’s patients, Rev. Michael Kibwota’s wife, underwent surgery for hernia at the doctor’s home on February 17th, 2026.
However, she started feeling unwell two hours later and was referred to Yotkom Medical Centre and later Kitgum General Hospital, where a second operation was performed.
In March 2025, the government announced a ban on civil servants in the education and health sectors from owning and operating private schools and health facilities.
