Uganda’s Minister of Health “Sarah” disguised herself in the attire of a veiled Muslim woman.
She went to a government hospital for a blood sugar test, but they asked her to pay a bribe and when she refused because treatment in government hospitals is free, they refused to provide her with any assistance!
She revealed her identity and had everyone arrested.
The Minister: The official involved was Sarah Achieng Opendi, who was Uganda’s [State Minister for Health for General Duties](1.1.1, 1.3.1) (working under the main cabinet minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng).
The Date & Location: The undercover operation took place on September 15, 2017, at the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital in Naguru, Kampala.The Disguise: Minister Opendi arrived riding on a boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) wearing a hijab and a full face veil (niqab) to completely conceal her identity.
The Tests & Bribe: She went to the hospital to investigate widespread public complaints about extortion. Instead of a blood sugar test, she originally requested laboratory tests (specifically a Hepatitis B test according to local reports).
The Arrests: The health workers demanded a bribe of 150,000 Ugandan shillings (about $40 USD) for tests that are legally free in public facilities, plus an extra 5,000 shillings for laboratory testing strips. After paying the money to secure the evidence, the Minister uncovered her face, identified herself, and had the police step in to arrest two healthcare workers—a laboratory technician and a nursing assistant.
