Rakai health worker arrested with 'stolen govt drugs and devices'

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 ENFORCEMENT 

A health assistant at Kigamba Health Centre III in Uganda's central district of Rakai has been arrested by the National Drug Authority (NDA) over alleged theft of government drugs.

Suspect John Odoi was arrested — thanks to NDA intelligence — while reportedly delivering the stolen drugs to what was believed to be his private drug shop in Sanje, Kakuuto county in neighbouring Kyotera district.

In a statement, NDA said Odoi was found in illegal possession of government drugs and medical devices.

Odoi was using his official duty motorcycle to transfer the now recovered assortment, which included antiretrovirals (ARVs), HIV self-test kits, cannulas, and examination gloves — all together worth over 10 million Ugandan shillings.

Suspect Odoi (left) after being arrested in Rakai district

Some of the recovered medical drugs and devices that Odoi was found with

Odoi was using his official duty motorcycle to transfer the now recovered assortment

The detained suspect faces two counts of;

▪️ illegal possession of government stores contrary to Section 296(2) of the Penal Code Act, and
▪️ illegal possession of classified drugs contrary to Section 27(2) of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act

'54 arrests since 2019'

Generally,  NDA, a government agency, works to protect and promote human and animal health through the effective regulation of drugs and healthcare products.

The authority says that for the last six years, under the directive of the health ministry, it has been tracking and breaking down rackets of dealers involved in the theft and illegal possession of government drugs and medical supplies. In so doing, it says it has recovered medicine worth over 13 billion Ugandan shillings.

Since 2019, over 54 arrests have been made, including 36 health workers and their accomplices. AIP Kule Yusuf Katuramu, a senior police officer in Kyenjojo district who doubled as a health officer working with Kyenjojo Police Health Centre II, features on this list.

Others include Mary Mbabazi, a nursing assistant who was also acting as the stores' in-charge for Bweramule Health Centre III in Ntoroko district, and Harriet Kalungi, an enrolled nurse who was also a stores' in-charge at Nakawuka Health Centre III in Wakiso district.

"The unethical and criminal practice of theft of government drugs often involves health workers who use their access to stores to steal the drugs and medical devices," says NDA's public relations manager, Abiaz Rwamwiri.

▪️ Three govt health workers jailed for stealing drugs

Suspect Odoi (left) is in hot soup

Offenders jailed

Among the most frequently recovered government drugs and medical devices were key lifesaving health commodities, including ARVs, antimalarials, antibiotics, paracetamol, malaria test strips, HIV test strips, and Hepatitis B test strips.  

According to NDA, the biggest single recovery was in 2022 when the Authority's intelligence led to the impounding of assorted drugs and medical equipment worth over two billion Ugandan shillings stolen from Kitgum General Hospital in Kitgum district, reportedly by Robert Akena, who was serving as a dispenser at the same hospital.  

In November 2024, the NDA team arrested Ronald Nditusawa Kibalya, a pharmacist at Kamuli General Hospital in Kamuli district, together with his three accomplices, with over 64,800 doses of ARVs, reportedly trying to sell them in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district.

Since the launch of NDA targeted operations, over 50 cases of government drug theft have been opened in different courts across Uganda, with over eight suspects charged and sentenced to several years in prison.

The most recent convict, Kibalya, was sentenced to four years in prison by the Makindye-based Standards, Utilities, and Wildlife Court in Kampala.

The same court had sentenced Paul Makanika from Kasese district to four years in jail for illegally possessing 45,000 doses of ARVs.

"NDA calls upon the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected drug-related cases to us as we work towards breaking the cartels of drug thefts," said Rwamwiri.

The Auditor General reports (2017-2020) revealed that up to 78% of drugs in health facilities were at risk of leakage, often involving facility health workers reselling them for profit, depriving citizens of their right to quality healthcare.

Authorities have repeatedly urged members of the public to help curb theft of government drugs. NDA also urged Ugandans to buy medicines from only authorized outlets, saying that accessing a bad drug is as bad as having no access at all.

'Theft of drugs must stop'

On his campaign trail as he seeks re-election, President Yoweri Museveni at the launch of his campaigns in Luwero district vowed action on the theft of drugs in health facilities. 

“The problem of stealing drugs is not in Congo or South Sudan. It is here. These drugs are traceable," said the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flagbearer.

"If you elect good LC5s and MPs, they can help monitor the health centres. From the centre, I will also act. Immunization is working well, that’s why we have so many young people now. 

"But the problem is curative treatment, where drugs are stolen. That must stop,” said Museveni.