By Eumu Emmanuel
Kaberamaido Chief Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Her Worship Lydia Kambidha, has remanded laboratory technician Mr. Uche Gerald Erayu to Kaberamaido Government Prison until December 19, 2024, when his case will return to court for mention.
Erayu faces 20 charges related to forgery and using falsified academic documents to secure employment as a laboratory technician. The Allied Health Professionals Council, which regulates health laboratory technicians in Uganda, confirmed through a police report that Erayu is not registered with them.
The allegations surfaced following a whistleblower report to the Inspector General of Government, claiming that Erayu had falsified documents to obtain his job. Investigations revealed major discrepancies in his academic transcripts, certificates of registration, and annual practicing licenses.
Erayu, who had been on the run after jumping bond at Kaberamaido Police Station, was tracked down by police in hiding between Kalaki and Soroti districts. He was apprehended and presented in court today, where he pleaded guilty to all 20 charges. The charges include forgery, obtaining false documents purportedly from institutions such as Naalya Secondary School, Mulago Paramedical School, and Kalaki Secondary School. Reports also suggest he never attended A-Level or any accredited medical institution.
The investigation has broadened to implicate several district officials, including former District Service Commission member Damian Ejoku, Principal Human Resources Officer and commission secretary Ocen Peter, technologist Atim Jerry, and Erayu’s father, Joseph Esiru, who is also the Senior Hospital Administrator.
Reports allege that Atim Jerry knowingly facilitated Erayu’s recruitment despite being aware of his lack of qualifications. The case has exposed significant gaps in the recruitment and verification processes within Kaberamaido District, raising concerns about systemic irregularities.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the extent of the conspiracy, which has cast a shadow over the district’s hiring practices. Meanwhile, the public awaits the December court session, where further details are expected to emerge.