Dr. Godfrey Egwau, the proprietor of Welfare Clinic in Soroti City, is in police custody following the death of Emmia Lucy Aluka, the Kapelebyong parish chief, during childbirth at his clinic.
James Okodi, a relative of Aluka, explains that she went to the clinic on Thursday, January 23, 2025, after experiencing labor pains. Following a check-up, Dr. Egwau recommended a cesarean section, which he performed on Friday.
After the procedure, family members heard the baby crying and believed everything had gone well. However, nurses later informed them that Dr. Egwau and his team were still attending to Aluka. Dr. Egwau reportedly did not communicate what had transpired during the surgery, instead assuring the family that she was fine.
The situation took a turn around 3 AM when another patient at the clinic witnessed what appeared to be a dead body being loaded into Dr. Egwau’s vehicle.
Upon learning that the body had been taken to Bethesda Mortuary, the family sought answers but faced difficulties. They were informed that Dr. Egwau had personally delivered the body to the mortuary, and the mortuary staff refused to release it without his permission. Multiple attempts to contact Dr. Egwau were unsuccessful, leaving the family in distress.
After retrieving the body from the mortuary, the family sought a postmortem examination at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital but were not assisted. They then turned to the police for help, leading to the body being taken to Mbale for a postmortem by the Regional Police Surgeon. The postmortem report indicated that Aluka died from severe postpartum hemorrhage, a serious condition characterized by excessive bleeding after childbirth.
Damalie Nachuha, the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander, confirmed that the family approached her office regarding Aluka’s death. After recording their complaints, she directed them to Mbale for the postmortem since the regional police doctor sits there. She noted that a general inquiry file, DEF 001/2025, was opened at Soroti City West Police Station, and the postmortem report was provided to the family, who were allowed to bury their loved one.
Following the investigation, Dr. Egwau was arrested and initially detained at Soroti West Police Station before being transferred to the Regional Police due to inadequate detention facilities. Nachuha stated that investigations are ongoing, and the police are yet to determine the charges against Dr. Egwau.
Dr. Egwau retired from Soroti Regional Referral Hospital and later joined politics, clinical business, and farming, where he has been majoring in dairy farming.