MOROTO – The embattled Moroto Regional Referral Hospital Director, Dr. Filbert Nyeko has dragged the Principal Hospital Administrator Mr. Geoffrey Mawa, the Attorney General and the hospital to court over his prolonged interdiction and deleting his names from the payroll.
In 2017 the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, interdicted Dr. Filbert Nyeko, over allegations of financial mismanagement.
In a March 30, 2017 letter addressed to Dr. Nyeko, a copy of which PML Daily has seen, the hospital director was asked to step aside to pave way for investigations.
Quoting Section Fs (8) and F-r (16) of the Public Service Standing Orders, Dr. Atwine indicated that Dr. Nyeko would receive half pay with immediate effect until the investigations are complete.
In the letter, Dr. Nyeko is accused of embezzlement and diversion of funds meant for a regional workshop in the 2015/2016 financial year. He is also jointly charged with a human resources officer for alleged manipulation of the payroll and causing overpay of his salary to the tune of UGX11.7m.
Dr. Nyeko is also said to have caused financial loss to the hospital to the tune of UGX38.7m when he allegedly damaged the hospital car while carrying out private work.
The PS directed that Dr. Nyeko hands over office to a senior consultant, Dr. Alfred Ogwang in accordance with section F-d (4) of the standing orders. “And keep away from the hospital premises until you are advised otherwise,” the letter adds.
The hospital management without following Dr. Atwine’s directive deleted Dr. Nyeko’s names from the payroll before his six months interdiction could elapse.
Dr. Nyeko has now run to court challenging his interdiction and deleting his names from the payroll.
Through his lawyers M/S Madibo Mafabi Advocates and solicitors the doctor wants court to declare that it was illegal for the hospital management and specifically the principal hospital administrator, Mr. Mawa to delete his names from the payroll.
Dr. Nyeko’s lawyers stated that their client has suffered consequences as a result of his names being deleted from the payroll and that he should be paid general damages.
Mr. Mawa refused to comment on the matter, saying that he can’t talk about issues that are before court.