'Stolen govt drugs smuggled to DRC'
Apr 23, 2024
Rwamwiri urged the public to be vigilant and report to the Police and local leaders or even call NDA, concerning anyone suspected to be illegally dealing in government drugs.
Paul Bwambale Makanika a resident of Railway cell was found with 450 tins of ARVs drugs (Photos by Samuel Amanyire)
Samuel Amanyire
Journalist @New Vision
____________________ Abiaz Rwamwiri the Public Relations Manager at National Drugs Authority (NDA) saying that ARV drugs end up in the hands of rebels
Several government-procured drugs stolen from various health facilities around the country likely end up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the National Drugs Authority (NDA) has said.
NDA says it is also likely that these drugs, which include Antiretrovirals (ARvs), end up in the hands of the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) rebels.
NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri made the remarks on Friday, April 19, 2024, after a massive intelligence-led operation conducted by the NDA team from Kampala in Kasese municipality. The operation saw two people arrested over alleged illegally possessing 500 tins of ARV drugs in their homes.
Justin Ithungu, a health worker at St Paul's Hospital and a resident of Kidodo cell was allegedly found with 50 tins, while Paul Bwambale Makanika, a resident of Railway cell, was found with 450 tins, all in the Central division of Kasese municipality.
Speaking to New Vision Online shortly after the arrests and handing over the suspects to Rwenzori East regional Police in Kasese, Rwamwiri said the stolen drugs are likely sold to the rebels in the DRC because the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) have always confiscated drugs in ADF camps after several operations.
"And we have information that these drugs are being packaged, go to the borders, and end up in the hands of the rebels," Abiaz said, adding: "It is unfortunate for the health workers paid by the Government to deny Ugandans access to medicine but rather sell them to rebels".
Rwamwiri said each tin containing three doses of ARV drugs totaling 90 tablets meant to be taken for three months by HIV patients is illegally sold at shillings 15,000 yet the Government of Uganda secures each doze at shillings 45,000 (shillings 135,000 per tin).
"We asked them to sell us the drugs before arresting them, they cost each doze at shillings 15,000," he said.
A call for vigilance
Rwamwiri urged the public to be vigilant and report to the Police and local leaders or even call NDA, concerning anyone suspected to be illegally dealing in government drugs.
Police speak out
Rwenzori East Police region spokesperson Nelson Tumushiime said they registered the case under SRD 294/2024 and SRD 286/2024 respectively.
He further confirmed that the suspects together with their Files have been transferred to Kibuli in Kampala for further investigations and preparing them to face court.
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