In Uganda, a country already grappling with an underfunded healthcare system, an alarming rise in medical fraud has placed countless lives at risk. From unlicensed practitioners performing surgeries to corruption in medical licensing, the nation faces a crisis that is eroding public trust in healthcare services.
Barbara Kwarikunda’s experience is a disturbing example of how fraudulent medical practices can lead to life-threatening consequences. Following an emergency cesarean section at Cleveland Specialized Clinic, she suffered severe complications—persistent pain, swelling, and an inability to eat. Despite repeated visits, the clinic failed to diagnose the root of her suffering. A later examination at a public hospital revealed a horrifying truth: cotton and gauze had been left inside her uterus, and her intestine had been slightly severed, causing internal leakage. She required another surgery to correct the botched operation.
The legitimacy of the medical personnel who performed her surgery remains uncertain. Investigations later revealed that the clinic’s operator, Ken Nyombi, had allegedly been using another person’s credentials to practice medicine. The clinic was shut down, and Nyombi was arrested, though he has been unable to speak publicly about the case.
Nyombi’s case is not an isolated incident. According to Irene Nakimbugwe, deputy public relations officer and chief state attorney, the Directorate of Public Prosecution is currently investigating at least ten cases of illegal medical practice and related fraud. These cases involve both public and private health facilities, exposing deep cracks in Uganda’s healthcare system.
Unlicensed practitioners exploit regulatory gaps, obtaining fraudulent medical licenses or operating illegal clinics. Some even perform complex procedures, including surgeries, despite lacking the necessary qualifications. One of the most infamous cases involved an American missionary who ran an unlicensed clinic for malnourished children, allegedly leading to the deaths of hundreds of patients.
A 2021 report by the Inspectorate of Government identified corruption as a major enabler of medical fraud. Some individuals secure positions in healthcare facilities through bribery, while others manipulate political connections to bypass licensing requirements. Additionally, pharmacy licenses are often issued without proper inspections, and authorities frequently turn a blind eye to substandard medicine storage—for a price.
Uganda’s regulatory bodies are also overwhelmed and underfunded. A report by the Ministry of Health highlights that licensing agencies lack the resources to enforce compliance, allowing unqualified individuals to practice medicine unchecked.
The Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, responsible for licensing medical professionals, declined multiple requests for comment on the issue. However, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, senior public relations officer at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that the ministry depends on professional bodies to verify medical credentials.
“You must be in that graduation booklet of the institution on the date you say you graduated,” he explained.
Despite such measures, verification remains inconsistent. Dr. Innocent Ssemanda, an epidemiologist at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that employers—including the government—often fail to verify academic credentials before hiring medical staff.
This systemic weakness enabled an imposter to use Ssemanda’s own medical credentials for over a decade. In 2020, when he attempted to renew his medical license, he discovered that another individual had been practicing under his name. The medical council failed to take immediate action, and it was not until 2024—after media exposure—that authorities intervened. The alleged imposter was none other than the operator of Cleveland Specialized Clinic, where Kwarikunda had undergone her botched surgery.
In some cases, the deception is shockingly simple. According to Dr. Warren Namaara, director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, individuals have managed to pose as doctors simply by wearing lab coats and walking into understaffed hospitals.
“Most hospitals are so overwhelmed that medical staff are too busy to verify whether someone is an actual doctor,” Namaara noted.
Uganda’s doctor-to-patient ratio currently stands at 1:1,400—far below the World Health Organization’s recommended standard of 2.5 medical staff per 1,000 people. This shortage leaves room for fraudsters to exploit the system, treating patients and even conducting surgeries without scrutiny.
The ease with which medical fraud persists is deeply concerning. Flavia Zalwango, director of programs at the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum, questions how hospitals can allow unauthorized individuals to treat patients unnoticed.
“How can staff walk in, start offering services, and no one notices?” she asks.
Government officials acknowledge the problem but insist that tackling medical fraud requires collective action. Nakimbugwe urges the public to report suspicious medical practitioners in their communities.
The government has launched a toll-free hotline under the State House Health Monitoring Unit for whistleblowers. However, as Namaara points out, eliminating medical fraud will require a sustained effort over time.
For victims like Kwarikunda, the consequences of fraudulent medical practices go beyond physical pain. Her botched surgery cost her 1.3 million Ugandan shillings (approximately $354), all paid out of pocket. Others have faced even greater financial and emotional tolls.
In January 2024, a man named Peter—who requested partial anonymity—took his wife to Cleveland Specialized Clinic due to unusual symptoms. The clinic misdiagnosed her with fibroids and recommended surgery. Fortunately, a second opinion at Kasangati Health Centre revealed that she was actually pregnant. She later gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
The crisis of fake doctors and fraudulent medical practices in Uganda underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms. Strengthening regulatory enforcement, improving verification processes, and increasing transparency in licensing are critical steps. Additionally, addressing corruption within the healthcare sector is paramount to protecting patients from further harm.
While government agencies have begun cracking down on illegal medical practice, many Ugandans believe that authorities must act more decisively. Kwarikunda, reflecting on her ordeal, insists that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that all medical professionals are properly vetted.
“When you go to a hospital, you trust that the government has verified the person treating you,” she says. “That’s the least we should expect.”
Until comprehensive reforms are implemented, the dangers posed by fake doctors will remain a grim reality for Ugandan patients seeking medical care.
The writer, Busiinge Aggrey is a concerned citizen and founder/CEO at Abjine Media Group PLC, Email: busiinge@abjine.com
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