KAMPALA – Officials from the National Drug Authority (NDA) have arrested seven suspects in Oyam District over the alleged theft and illegal sale of government medicines and medical supplies valued at over Shs70 million.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The suspects, including health workers, a Local Council official, security guards, and local traders, were apprehended over the weekend following intelligence that pointed to a local drug shop suspected of stocking stolen public medical supplies.
During the search at the suspected drug shop premises, investigators recovered large quantities of classified government medicines, including antiretrovirals (ARVs), anti-malarials, antibacterials, antifungals, hypertension treatments, anti-epileptics, painkillers, ulcer medications, deworming tablets, and various other essential drugs.
Authorities also seized diagnostic HIV and malaria testing kits, cotton wool, mama kits, and assorted medical devices, all of which bore the explicit marking: “Government of Uganda, Not for Sale,” while at the pharmaceuticals.
Addressing journalists at the NDA headquarters on Monday, the authority’s spokesperson, Abiaz Rwamwiri, revealed that preliminary investigations indicate the medical supplies were systematically diverted from public health facilities and channeled into the black market.
“It is commonly known that some health workers entrusted to dispense these medicines free of charge conceal them, create artificial shortages, and later sell them illegally,” Rwamwiri stated.
The authority expressed deep concern over the involvement of health professionals and security personnel whose primary duty is to safeguard life-saving supplies meant for the most vulnerable patients.
The NDA warned that diverted medicines pose severe health risks to the public, as their quality, safety, and efficacy can no longer be guaranteed due to compromised storage conditions.
“Beyond being stolen from government facilities, these medicines are transported and hidden in unsuitable conditions such as dustbins and caskets of dead bodies before reaching the black market. We cannot guarantee their quality,” Mr. Rwamwiri added.
The authority further disclosed that intelligence networks have tracked stolen government drugs, particularly ARVs and anti-malarials, being smuggled across Uganda’s borders into neighbouring South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The seven suspects face charges of illegal possession of government stores, contrary to Section 296(2) of the Penal Code Act, and illegal possession of classified drugs under Section 27(2) of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act.
Over the last six years, targeted operations by the NDA have led to the recovery of stolen government medicines valued at over Shs15 billion and the arrest of more than 64 health officials nationwide.
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