The National Drug Authority (NDA), working with Uganda Police have carried out a targeted enforcement operation in Ntoroko and Kyenjojo Districts and arrested 7 suspects in connection with illegal possession and sale of government drugs and medical equipment worth over 300 million Ugandan shillings.
The spokesperson the authority Abiazi Rwamiri says the suspects include Samuel Lan Mwesige in-charge of Bweramule Health Centre II, Mary Mbabazi, an enrolled nurse who was also acting as the stores in-charge for Bweramule Health Centre ll and Alex Mbusa, a porter working with Bweramule Health Centre lll in Ntoroko district Mbusa Alex was found around Karugutu town at his home in possession of drugs and he confessed that he sells drugs to blockers who take them Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Other suspects were arrested from Kyenyojo district and these included Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Tuke Yusuf Katuramu, a police officer who is also a health officer working with Kyenjojo Police Health Centre l, Denis Blessing the proprietor of Denis pharmaceuticals in Kyenjojo, lsingoma lsiah and Bwamabale Tom.
He adds that during this intelligence-led operation several government drugs and medical supplies including more than 100tins of ARVs, Antimalarial, 80 cartons of Malaria test strips, 100 boxes of HIV and Hepatitis B test strips, several doses of unpacked Antibiotics and Paracetamol, 12 jerrycans of laboratory reagents, among others.
Denis Blessing, the lead blocker of government drugs in the region was masquerading as a pharmacist of Buhinga Hospital in Fort Portal and has running an illegal pharmacy (Denis’s pharmaceutical), conducting and unlicensed mobile distribution using motorcycles in Kitangwenda, Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo (targeting remote areas of Kyarushozi among others).
Over 32 cartons of assorted drugs suspected to be relabeled and repackaged government drugs were impounded from Denis’s pharmaceuticals. Pilferage of drugs meant for government facilities deprives the public of their right to access to healthcare and has long lasting consequences on the country’s development as well as loss of trust in the country’s healthcare system.
“The drugs and diagnostic kits that were recovered were not properly stored which could potentially compromise their safety, quality and efficacy. Some of the personnel like a hospital casual worker who is incompetent put the lives of Ugandans at a great risk,”Rwamiri stated.
Rwamiri says the suspects are held at Fort Portal Police Station and will be produced in court to answer charges of,; unlawful possession of government stores contrary to section 316 of the Penal Code, carrying on the business of a pharmacist without a license contrary to section 14(3) of the National Drug Policy and Authority (NDAP) Act as well as unlawful possession of classified Drugs centrally to section 27(2) of the NDA/P Act.
”Those who were working with the government will also be charged with corruption and abuse of office,”Rwamiri added.
