The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, has ordered the immediate arrest of Nicholas Tumuheki, an enrolled nurse at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, for alleged gross neglect of a critically ill patient in the casualty department.
The order was issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, during an unannounced spot inspection at the hospital. The visit formed part of the IGG’s regional tour, which kicked off at the Inspectorate of Government’s Kabale Regional Office to evaluate public service delivery and root out misconduct across government institutions.
According to preliminary findings detailed by the IGG’s office, the nurse allegedly directed the caregiver of a patient profusely bleeding, referred urgently from Kamwezi Health Centre IV, to place the individual on the floor. The justification given was that the hospital had not received prior notification to ready a bed for the arrival.
The allegations further claim that Tumuheki instructed the caregiver to buy required medicines from a nearby private pharmacy, asserting that the hospital’s stock was depleted.
“Reports from the caregiver indicate that the purchased medicines were never administered to the patient, worsening concerns over potential life-threatening delays in emergency care,” the IGG office noted.
Lady Justice Batala condemned the alleged conduct as intolerable, stressing zero tolerance for negligence, absenteeism, or any form of malpractice that undermines patient safety and public trust in government services.
The IGG has directed continued investigations into the roles of other staff and hospital management, with indications that more arrests or disciplinary actions may follow if additional violations emerge.
This development follows the IGG’s broader regional engagements in Kabale, which have also highlighted complaints of corruption, nepotism, and irregularities in district service commissions. The Inspectorate continues its nationwide drive to promote accountability, expose corruption, and safeguard efficient delivery of essential public services.
