By Albert Ainomugisha
Doreen Amutuhaire shortly after her arrest in the hospital. courtesy photo
Police in Mbarara are investigating a case involving a woman who was arrested at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital yesterday evening, 12th June 2023.
The suspect, identified as Doreen Amutuhaire was whisked away by detectives at Mbarara Central Police Station after they were notified by the hospital administration.
Her arrest came after she was in the process of defrauding three million Uganda Shilling (3m) from caregivers of one of the stroke patients receiving medical attention at the hospital.
Mr. Mweteise Bintabara, one of the caretakers told this website that the suspect had already established close ties with her immediate caretaker who happens to be the mother.
Bintabara added that the suspect had persuaded her that the daughter’s condition won’t be managed by doctors adding that there is a prominent witch doctor in Mitooma district who can do better.
Consequently, the mother had fallen prey to the suspect’s gospel who managed to move with her to Mitooma district to consult with the alleged witch doctor.
Upon return, the mother had started the process of mobilizing money from relatives including calling the husband who wasn’t available at a time.
When the husband came according to Bintabara, he found the mother-in-law in a distressed state as she demanded that the wife should be taken to the witchdoctor.
It’s said that the suspect continued to bother the relatives asking for money under the pretext that the more they delay the more the healthy conditions of the patient worsen.
However, the relatives suspected something fishy when they asked about the details of the woman and she informed them that she had a patient in the Intensive Care Unit.
This prompted them to escort her up to the ICU where they inquired and they were told that they were told that she could be a fraudster according to Halson Kagure the Hospital Public Relations Officer.
Kagure added that caretakers tipped off the hospital security that swung in action and arrested one Amutuhaire before detectives at Mbarara Central Police Station came in and took her.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect had admitted to the wrong doing as she claims to have been planted by a traditional healer only identified as Besiga.
The Hospital Administration condemned the incident of a fraudster trying to bring confusion among the caregivers and patient which they say could affect her healing process.
According to Halson Kagure, it has become habitual for conmen to make their way into the hospital and take advantage of patients who are on the recovery path.
He warned that they have intensified the security in the hospital which attracts over 500 people on a normal day adding that it’s their responsibility to safeguard their clients from such people with sinister motives.
Patients too have been urged to desist from dealing with persons whose identities are not clear to them but instead report to the health workers on their respective wards or administration in case of any information about the status of their patients.
About the Author
The author is a student of Journalism and Mass communication currently conducting his internship at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital under Public Relation Unit.