Police arrest Laboratory Technologist who forged COVID-19 test results for fugitive Matthew Kirabo

Police have arrested a senior laboratory technologist attached to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for issuing forged COVID-19 results to a wanted murder suspect, Matthew Kirabo.

The suspect identified as Razak Waswa is being held at Jinja Central police station awaiting prosecution.  

CID spokesperson Twiine Charles revealed the arrest on Twitter, noting that Kirabo is a wanted fugitive whose warrant of arrest was issued for absconding from High Court Mukono where he is on trial for the brutal murder of his girlfriend Desire Mirembe which happened in 2015.

Waswa was arrested on Wednesday evening on a tip-off from his colleagues who faulted him for issuing fake COVID-19 test results to a wanted person. 

However, it is alleged that Waswa attempted to downplay the concerns of his colleagues, but detectives have been dispatched to review Kirabo’s medical forms.  

Kirabo has been skipping court hearings without any explanation, which prompted the presiding judge to issue a warrant for his arrest. On Wednesday, the judge ordered that his 3 sureties pay Shillings 50 million and should get arrested if they do not present him in court next week.

According to Dr. Florence Tugumisirize, the Director of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Wasswa indeed forged COVID-19 test results.