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Kapchorwa Hospital manager interdicted
Trespass. Some of the illegal structures that were allegedly constructed on the public land after authorisation by the interdicted hospital administrator on February 26. PHOTO BY FRED WAMBEDE
What you need to know:
Accusation. Mr Asad Tuti is also said to have allowed the erection of illegal structures on public land under the disguise of developing it.
The senior administrator of Kapchorwa Hospital in Kapchorwa District, Mr Asad Tuti, has been interdicted over abuse of office.
It is alleged Mr Tuti authorised unlawful construction of structures on the hospital land contrary to the provisions of Public Service Standing Orders (2010).
Mr Tuti’s interdiction comes days after Daily Monitor on February 17, published a story in which the residents criticised the administration of Kapchorwa Hospital for allegedly clearing a public cemetery for cultivation.
In a letter signed on February 25 by Mr Simon Peter Kandole, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kapchorwa District, Mr Tuti is said to have deliberately allowed the erection of illegal structures on public land under the disguise of developing it.
“I have taken a decision to interdict you from the roles of senior hospital administrator with immediate action,” the letter reads in part.
“Your actions are so grave and cannot be permitted to continue. We also need to protect the remaining assets and property of the hospital from your unpredictable actions,” the letter adds.
Mr Kandole said Mr Tuti’s actions violated the powers of the district land board and other offices in the district, adding that such actions also endangered the life of hospital staff and the neighbouring community.
He added that the hospital administrator was also using his office to threaten other hospital staff, who were opposed to his style of leadership.
When contacted for further clarification on the said letter, Mr Kandole acknowledged having authored it and said Mr Tuti is no longer an employee of Kapchorwa local government.
But Mr Tuti, who has been given up to March 22 to file a defence, said the interdiction was unfair and harsh.
“Much as there are mistakes, the steps taken by CAO were not fair. They are very harsh because he didn’t call me to defend myself but instead rushed to interdict me. The principle of natural justice was not applied,” he said.
Allegation
However, one of the hospital staff, who preferred anonymity, said Mr Tuti had messed up the hospital over greed for money.
“He would make a good politician but not a health worker. His greed for money and assets is too much,” the source, said.
The source said some of the equipment including more than 40 beds, 17 trolleys, 21 warddrops for patients, and other assorted equipment are missing while others have been disposed of against the disposal procedures.
We were unable to independently verify the claims.
Mr George Kiprotich, the executive director of Kapchorwa Civil Society Organisation Alliance, said they have been raising issues of corruption but interventions have been slow.
