Soroti Doctor Arrested Over Woman’s Death During Childbirth

The proprietor of Welfare Clinic in Soroti City is under police custody in connection with the death of a woman during childbirth under suspicious circumstances.

Identified as Emma Lucy Aluka, the lady arrived at the clinic on Thursday, January 23, experiencing labor pains, and after assessment, Dr. Egwau recommended a cesarean section, which he performed the following day.

The family members of the lady initially believed the procedure had gone smoothly after hearing the newborn cry but hours later, nurses of the clinic informed them that Dr. Egwau and his team were still attending to the mother.

Dr. Egwau did not immediately tell the family members of what had happened but instead assured them that he was fine but the situation worsened around 3 a.m. when another patient at the clinic reportedly saw what appeared to be a body being loaded into Dr. Egwau’s vehicle.

After this, the family discovered that their relative’s body had been transported to Bethesda Mortuary by Egwau himself. When they inquired at the mortuary, they were told that the body could not be released without his permission.

The family desperately attempted to contact Egwau, but he was unreachable, and even when they finally retrieved Aluka’s body, they sought a postmortem examination at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, and the hospital refused to give it to them.

They later turned to the police; the body was instead transported to Mbale for examination by the regional police surgeon, and the postmortem report revealed that Aluka had died due to severe postpartum hemorrhage and excessive bleeding after childbirth.

The East Kyoga Regional Police Commander, Damalie Nachuha, confirmed that the family had approached her office for assistance. A general inquiry file (DEF 001/2025) was opened at Soroti City West Police Station. The postmortem report was later handed to the family, allowing them to proceed with burial arrangements.

Following investigations, 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 the police are still determining the specific charges against him.

Dr. Egwau, a retired doctor from Soroti Hospital, had later ventured into politics, private medical practice, and dairy farming. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Aluka’s death as calls for accountability grow.