Authorities have arrested a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and a health worker for allegedly stealing large quantities of government medicines, including more than 150,000 doses of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.The operation, carried out by the National Drug Authority (NDA), targeted individuals suspected of diverting medical supplies from public health facilities for illegal sale on the black market. NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri confirmed the arrests, saying the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to end the theft of essential drugs meant for public hospitals.
According to the NDA, the main suspect, identified as Lance Corporal Jimmy Kisembo, a laboratory technician at Kabamba Military Health Centre IV, was found with thousands of stolen ARV doses. He was arrested at a private residence in Mpumude, where he was allegedly preparing to sell the drugs.
In a related case, another suspect, Musoke Mayi, a nurse in charge of Makoole Health Centre II, was also detained after being found with over 3,000 doses of antimalarial medicines and more than 12,000 malaria test kits. The drugs had reportedly been removed from the facility and stored at her home for illegal resale.
Rwamwiri said the suspects’ actions endangered public health by creating artificial shortages in government facilities and depriving vulnerable patients of free treatment. He added that the NDA will continue working closely with security agencies to dismantle networks involved in the theft and sale of medical supplies.
The National Medical Stores (NMS) has in recent months sounded the alarm over the growing problem of drug theft in public hospitals. NMS General Manager Moses Kamabare previously warned that health workers caught stealing medicines should face harsh disciplinary action, including a minimum ten-year suspension from practice
The NDA said it would release additional details about the investigation in a press briefing scheduled at its headquarters on Buganda Road, Kampala. The suspects are expected to face prosecution once investigations are complete.
Authorities have urged members of the public to report anyone found selling government-labeled medicines outside official health facilities.
