Trial of Soroti gynaecologist Egwau fails to kick off
Soroti Grade One Magistrate Apollo Kasujja Kibirige, who had sat in for the absent Grade One Magistrate Sarah Nantongo, adjourned the case until March 26 for mention.
Dr Godfrey Egwau reacts in front of journalists outside the courtroom at Soroti Magistrates' Court after he was sent on prison remand on February 4, 2025. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
Martin Okwera
Journalist @New Vision
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The trial for Dr Godfrey Egwau, a retired consultant gynaecologist in Soroti accused of causing the death of a mother during childbirth, failed to kick off on Friday because of the absence of the trial magistrate.
Soroti Grade One Magistrate Apollo Kasujja Kibirige, who had sat in for the absent Grade One Magistrate Sarah Nantongo, adjourned the case until March 26 for mention.
Egwau has denied the charges of causing death by rash negligence.
On Friday afternoon, he appeared in court wearing a black suit.
His wife Dr Florence Egwau and other members of his family were also present, all eager for the trial to get under way. However, the complainants too were absent.
The State informed court that inquiries into the matter are still ongoing.
Defence lawyer Sam Kikomeko told court they are ready for an advanced trial.
What happened?
In early February this year, 64-year-old Egwau was rearrested for allegedly causing the death of Kapelebyong parish chief Emimma Lucy Aluka in late January.
The 40-year-old died during childbirth at Egwau's private clinic in the city of Soroti. Her baby girl survived and was later taken to an orphanage.
Initially, Egwau was granted Police bond, which was later cancelled after the case file was sanctioned.
Collins Karugaba, the regional criminal intelligence officer for East Kyoga, said at the time that investigations had established that Egwau's clinic and laboratory (Welfare Clinic) were not licensed by any medical body as required by law, hence rendering his operations illegal.
The clinic is located in Nakatunya in Soroti city.
Egwau allegedly performed a caesarean operation on Aluka at the said health facility.
UNICEF statistics indicate that every two minutes, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth in the world.
A postmortem report read out to mourners during Aluka's burial indicated that the parish chief died of severe postpartum haemorrhage.
Egwau was charged by the Soroti Magistrate's Court and remanded to Soroti Government Prison.
Days later, he was granted a cash bail of sh2 million by Grade One Magistrate Nantongo on February 6.
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