NDA shuts down over 65 illegal drug outlets in Lango crackdown

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More than 65 illegal drug outlets have been shut down across the Lango sub-region in a sweeping enforcement operation by the National Drug Authority (NDA), as regulators intensify efforts to protect the public from substandard and unregulated medicines.

The week-long operation, which targeted Lira city, Lira district, Amolatar and Oyam, also led to the impounding of 150 boxes of assorted medicines worth over sh37m and the arrest of a suspect accused of operating an illegal pharmacy.

Addressing journalists in Lira city on March 13, 2026, NDA public relations manager Abiaz Rwamwiri, flanked by enforcement officer Alfred Akali Ayom and northern regional inspector of drugs Dr Zablon Igirikwayo, said the operation followed months of warnings and sensitisation of drug outlet operators who had failed to comply with regulations.

“We have two types of enforcement operations,” Rwamwiri explained. “One which we plan and target particular non-complying drug outlets, and the other which is special enforcement based on intelligence. This operation came after engaging these outlets to comply, but they did not.”

Arrest and court case

During the crackdown, Florence Lakot was arrested in Barapwo ward near Lira University, where she was allegedly operating an illegal pharmacy.

According to Akali, the suspect was taken to the police before appearing in court.

“We recorded the drugs and took her to the police at Lira city west division. She appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing,” he said.

Two other suspects, Godfrey Bua and Joel Aporu, remain on the run after authorities discovered they were operating illegal drug stores in Amolatar.

Investigators say the two outlets contained 16 and 17 boxes of assorted drugs, respectively. However, officials later discovered the people initially arrested were merely attendants and not the real owners of the businesses.

“The operators we found were not the actual owners. They were attendants. The real owners are still being traced and will be prosecuted once apprehended,” Akali added.

Dangerous storage conditions

NDA officials warned that many of the closed outlets were operating in unsuitable premises that could compromise drug quality.

Dr Igirikwayo said enforcement actions are usually the final step after operators ignore repeated warnings from regulators.

“Enforcement comes at the tail end,” he said. “First, we identify the non-compliance, we warn them, we sensitise them and give them time to comply. When they refuse, we move in with enforcement.”

In one case in Amolatar district, inspectors found drugs stored in small, poorly ventilated rooms that were extremely hot, conditions that can degrade medicines and make them unsafe for patients.

“When drugs are stored in such conditions, their quality is not assured, and they may become dangerous to the public,” Igirikwayo warned.

He attributed many of the violations to greed among operators seeking to maximise profits.

“Some people obtain licences for small categories of drugs, but because of greed, they open additional illegal stores in places we have not approved,” he said.

No government drugs found

Despite the scale of the operation, officials said they did not find any medicines belonging to the Government of Uganda among the seized stock.

However, inspectors discovered some expired medicines in one of the Amolatar outlets, although these had been separated and were not being dispensed to the public.

More operations planned

The NDA says the crackdown will not stop with the four districts already targeted.

Igirikwayo revealed that regulators have intelligence about illegal drug outlets in Pader, Nwoya and other districts, and further enforcement operations are expected soon.

“This is a continuous process. We have intelligence in other districts, and very soon we shall carry out more enforcement operations,” he said.

Warning against drug hawking

Rwamwiri also warned against the hawking of medicines in buses, taxis and markets, describing it as illegal and dangerous.

“Drugs are very sensitive products,” he said. “Even when they are of good quality, they can cause side effects. Patients must obtain medicines from a known permanent location where they can report any problem.”

He cautioned that transport operators found carrying drug hawkers could also face legal action.

“If we find drugs in your taxi or bus, we arrest the driver, the conductor and even impound the vehicle,” he said.

Heavy penalties under the law

Akali said people caught operating illegal drug outlets risk severe penalties under the National Drug Policy and Authority Act.

Handling classified medicines without proper authorisation can attract up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of sh1m, while operating as a pharmacist without a licence carries a possible five-year jail term or a fine of up to sh2m, or both.

Officials urged the public to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and drug shops and to report suspicious drug activities through NDA’s toll-free line 0800 101 999 or WhatsApp line 0740 002 070.

“Our duty is to safeguard public health,” Rwamwiri said. “We are not against anyone, but we must ensure that medicines reaching Ugandans are safe.”