Senior Reporter
Authorities at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital in Kabale District have boycotted a mediation meeting with kiosk owners operating nearby. The kiosk owners face accusations of harboring criminals and collaborating with hospital health workers to steal essential drugs.
Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Nyakahuma had organized the mediation meeting to resolve the conflict between the hospital and the kiosk owners. The hospital had petitioned for the removal of the kiosks, disputing the ownership of the land they occupy.
Despite the scheduled meeting, representatives from Kabale Regional Referral Hospital did not attend. Godson Tukacungura, chairperson of the kiosk operators, mentioned that they were informed they are operating on a road reserve and requested relocation rather than eviction.
RDC Nyakahuma expressed his intent to investigate the hospital management’s absence from the meeting. He also lifted the 21-day ultimatum for the kiosk owners to vacate the area near the hospital gate, allowing them to continue operating while the matter is investigated.
Nyakahuma announced plans to deploy security informers at the hospital gate to investigate whether some kiosk owners are colluding with health workers to steal essential drugs and mama kits from the hospital, which are then sold back to patients when the hospital is out of stock.
