The National Drug Authority (NDA) has recovered government drugs worth over Shs30 million that had been stolen from public health facilities in the central region.
According to NDA Communications Manager, Abiaz Rwamwiri, the recovery followed a four-day compliance and enforcement operation carried out in Greater Masaka and Gomba districts. He said that during the same operation, three health workers attached to Kyazanga Health Centre IV in Lwengo District and Kagamba Health Centre III in Rakai District were arrested.
The recovered drugs included anti-malarials, Hepatitis and malaria testing kits, cannulas, examination gloves, mama kits, and antiretroviral drugs. Rwamwiri explained that the theft of government drugs denies ordinary Ugandans access to essential medicines in public facilities, adding that the crime is often committed by selfish health workers. He warned those involved in such activities to stop before they are caught.
The suspects were identified as John Odoi, a staff member of Kagamba Health Centre III in Rakai, who was found with drugs and medical equipment worth over Shs10 million at his private facility, Divine Mercy Drug Shop. Another suspect, Julius Musobole Babalanda, a clinician at Kyazanga Health Centre IV, was arrested at his private facility, St. Tereza Medical Centre in Bukoto, Kyazanga, with mosquito nets, malaria testing kits, and anti-malarial drugs, among other items.
According to NDA senior drug inspector Alfred Ayom Akali, a third suspect, Jackie Nakuya of Kiwangala Health Centre IV in Lwengo, allegedly worked with Musobole to steal government drugs. Nakuya reportedly operated a private clinic in Kitoro, Lwengo, and some of the stolen drugs were found hidden inside her boutique in Masaka City.
Akali also said that during the operation, NDA closed more than 80 unlicensed drug shops and seized over 150 boxes of assorted medicines valued at about Shs92 million.
Dr Rashida Nakalema, who represented Dr Muhammad Lukwago, the NDA Regional Manager for Central Uganda, warned that stolen government drugs often lose their potency due to poor storage conditions, which can endanger lives. She urged members of the public to stay alert and report anyone involved in the theft or illegal sale of government medicines.
