Kampala – The National Drug Authority (NDA) has recovered 25 boxes of stolen government medicines, worth over 9 million shillings in an intelligence-led operation in Namugoona, Kasubi, Kampala District.
The operation, led by NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri together with law enforcement and local residents, resulted in the arrest of a suspect, Aaron Michael Mwesigye, who was found with a box containing the stolen medicines.
The recovered drugs include anti-malarials and ARVs, some of which were marked “Government of Uganda Not for Sale”.
According to Rwamwiri, the NDA had received information that Mwesigye was involved in stealing government medicines and selling them overseas.
“No person is allowed to have medicines without medical qualifications, and the place where they are kept is dirty,” Rwamwiri told journalists in Kampala on Friday.
The suspect, he said, is currently in police custody for further investigation and legal action.
Tom Makumbi, NDA’s Drug Quality Inspector, condemned the act, stating that it causes a huge loss to the government. He urged citizens to report anyone involved in such activities.
The NDA advises unlicensed operators to cease operations and comply with legal requirements to sell medicines and healthcare products in Uganda.
The public is urged to buy drugs from licensed pharmacies and drug shops and report suspected drug crimes on the NDA’s toll-free line 0800 101 999 or WhatsApp line 0740 002 070.