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Aerial view of Mbarara Regional hospital. [Picture: Joshua Nahamya]
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By Joshua Nahamya
Mbarara City
The management of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) has dismissed allegations of extortion and illegal confiscation of bodies by mortuary staff, following reports circulating on various online media platforms. The hospital’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Halson Kagure, issued a statement refuting claims that attendants at the hospital mortuary were demanding between UGX 200,000 and 500,000 from bereaved families before releasing bodies. “Our preliminary investigations have found no evidence of extortion or body confiscation as alleged by online media. However, we call upon anyone with credible information or evidence to share it with the hospital for appropriate action,” Kagure said.
Kagure emphasized that mortuary services at Mbarara Hospital are entirely free of charge, adding that the National Medical Stores (NMS) regularly supplies the facility with all necessary materials for the pathology department to treat bodies and conduct postmortems. The online reports had named several individuals — Nduhukire Venansio, Kanyesigye Stuart, Mugabi Barnabus, Mucunguzi Dismus, and Nsabimana Emmanuel — as being implicated in the alleged extortion racket.
Kagure confirmed that the individuals are indeed hospital employees attached to the pathology department but clarified that they were recently assigned there to strengthen standard operating procedures. “The individuals listed in the article are legitimate staff members of the pathology department. They were put on notice, with their contacts shared to ease communication between wards and the mortuary,” Kagure explained.
“They are part of our ongoing efforts to reinforce standard operating procedures in the handling of bodies. We urge the public to report any suspicious behavior directly to the hospital administration.”
Mbarara Hospital
Kagure further clarified that all bodies are required to pass through the hospital mortuary as part of infection control and documentation procedures designed to ensure dignity and accountability. However, he condemned reports that some funeral homes have been colluding with certain individuals to remove bodies before they reach the mortuary, describing the practice as illegal and unacceptable. “The hospital administration has intensified security measures to curb such practices,” he noted.
Mbarara Regional Referral hospital mortuary
The hospital spokesperson encouraged the public to use official feedback channels — including suggestion boxes, administration offices, and quick response (QR) codes placed around the facility — to report misconduct or raise concerns.
“The administration values the public’s trust and remains committed to providing high-quality, specialized, and safe patient care and research for a healthy and productive population,” Kagure added.
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