Case involving university hospital oxygen machine adjourned

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KAMPALA - An oxygen machine reportedly worth sh200 million is at the centre of a court case in Uganda's capital Kampala.

The equipment is said to belong to Makerere University Hospital.

The matter here is that one Lilian Muhiire, the general manager of Critical Care Solutions Limited (a specialized equipment supplies company), has been charged with obtaining the oxygen machine by false pretence.

Last month, she appeared before Grade One magistrate Martins Kirya at the Law Development Centre Magistrates’ Court, who read out the charges of obtaining goods by false pretence to her. 

Muhiire denied the charges.

The charge of obtaining goods by false pretence is contrary to Section 305 of the Penal Code Act.

Under this law, any person found guilty has committed a felony and is liable to imprisonment for five years.

When this case came up for hearing on Friday, the trial magistrate informed the court that state attorney Maureen Twesiime was indisposed.

As a result, the hearing of the case was adjourned until next month on April 22.
Investigations into the matter are complete.

Meanwhile, Police in Wandegeya have summoned Grace Muguli Kwizera and Marion Kamahoro, who are reportedly still on the run over the same charges.

Prosecution alleges that on April 21 last year at Makerere University Hospital in Kampala, Muhiire and others still at large with intent to defraud, obtained an oxygen machine from Stephen Kimera of Genome Scientific Solutions by falsely pretending she would pay whereas not.

It is further alleged that Muhiire contracted Kimera to supply the said oxygen machine that was to be installed at Makerere University Hospital.

The money for the said machine was reportedly paid to Muhiire by the hospital and 10 months later, she had not yet remitted the same to Kimera.

Muhiire was released on a cash bail of sh500,000 and her sureties were each bonded at sh20 million, not cash.