National Drug Authority Warns Health Workers as Shs25 Billion in Stolen Medicine is Recovered

The National Drug Authority (NDA) has issued a strong warning to managers and staff working in government health facilities, cautioning them against the illegal theft and smuggling of publicly supplied medicines. Essential supplies such as antiretroviral drugs and malaria treatments are frequently targeted, directly undermining healthcare delivery for vulnerable citizens.

Speaking on the issue, NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri revealed that the authority has successfully recovered government medicines valued at approximately Shs25 billion over the last three to four years. However, this recovery represents only a fraction of the total volume believed to be stolen. Authorities have uncovered bizarre methods used by rogue workers to smuggle drugs out of facilities, including hiding them in rubbish bins, toilets, and even coffins.

Investigations show that a significant portion of these stolen pharmaceuticals are smuggled across Uganda’s borders to neighboring countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. Furthermore, alarming reports indicate that some diverted antiretroviral drugs intended for human use have even been improperly administered to poultry.

Luweero District has emerged as a focal point for these illicit activities, with over nine health workers facing interdiction and ongoing police investigations for medicine theft and illicitly demanding money from patients. To combat the crisis, Luweero District Health Officer Innocent Nkonwa announced new distribution protocols. Under the updated system, medical supplies will be routed through a central distribution point twice a week, managed strictly by trained and authorized pharmacy staff to improve tracking and accountability.

Local leaders, including Luweero Resident District Commissioner Mariam Nalubega and District Chairperson Erasto Kibirango, have urged health professionals to uphold high standards of integrity. Kibirango specifically warned staff against soliciting or accepting unofficial payments from patients, noting that even small tokens of appreciation can lead to severe corruption investigations and imprisonment. As the NDA prepares to launch stricter enforcement operations in Luweero, officials emphasize that enhanced oversight, secure storage, and rigorous record-keeping remain vital to protecting public health resources.

Read more about this story on Nile Post.