A woman aged 32 has been arrested following numerous outcries about the theft of items such as bags, clothes, money and others at Apac General Hospital.

Her arrest was coordinated by the offices of the Resident District Commissioner and District Police Commander, Apac. The two entities met with the security guards of the hospital and guided them on alertness and vigilance.

Having got some tips on security management, on November 4, 2026, more complaints were raised by Apio Dorcus, an attendant who complained of theft of a tea flask and another mat.

Suspicion fell on a lady who was seen moving in and around the hospital without a clear reason and later disappeared.

SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, PRO of North Kyoga Region, said Ayugi Stella, 32, was traced to her residence with the help of some boda boda riders who knew her.

Ayugi is a resident of Te Itek village, Amii Amilo parish, Ibuje sub-county.

A tea flask, including a mat that was also stolen from the hospital, was recovered from her home.

She was arrested immediately by the chairperson, LC1 of Te Itek village and handed over to the Police at Apac CPS for detention and investigation.

At the time of arrest, the suspect was found wearing a black skirt and a pink blouse, which were identified by another woman as being her clothes, SP Okema added.

And several people, especially women, came complaining that their bags and items were also stolen while at the hospital.

Among the items stolen were a laptop, backpacks, clothes for children, men and women, shoes, a mat and a tea flask.

The PRO said Akello Stella, 33, business woman and resident of Ginnery cell, Aberidwogo ward in Ibuje town council, Atim Sarah, 25, a businesswoman and resident of Inn village, Apac municipality, and Apio Dorcus, 47, a businesswoman and resident of Ongoda cell, Temogo ward, Arocha Division in Apac municipality have recorded statements.

Others are Aol Irene, 35, a resident of Atigolwok village, Atigolwok parish in Chegere sub-county and Atoke Joan, 28, a peasant farmer and resident of Apele village, Alworoceng parish in Ibuje Sub-county.

Ayugi Stella is a tailor, according to SP Okema. She led police in a search at her home on November 6, 2026, at around 1 pm, and 6 black bags, 2 brown and 4 black, were recovered from her grass-thatched house in Te Itek village.

“The bags all had different items, and she has confessed to having stolen them from Apac General Hospital,” SP Okema said in a statement.

Further findings indicate that during the time for general cleaning at the hospital, especially in the morning, all properties, including bags, are brought outside and put on the verandah and she takes advantage and steals.

Complainants Akello Stella and Atim Sarah both had money ranging from shs600,000 and shs100,000, respectively, about US$171.30 in their stolen bags.

However, the bags and other items were recovered but the money has not yet been recovered.

Files are being compiled for submission to the Resident State Attorney for perusal and legal guidance on charges of theft.

“We call for vigilant amongst the attendants while at the hospital and timely reporting of any suspicious person within the hospital for arrest and investigation.”