Farmer operating unlicensed pharmacy sentenced to three years
"Possession of Government Stores has led to a significant public outcry by citizens calling on government to supply hospitals with drugs, yet the drugs are stolen," Kamasanyu noted, adding that this undermines service delivery and agreed with the prosecution that offenders deserve a harsh punishment.
Geofrey Bwambale appears in the dock at the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Makindye. (Photo by Margret Zalwango).
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A farmer has been sentenced to three years in prison for operating a pharmacy without a licence, among other offences.
Geofrey Bwambale, 38, a resident of Kyebando cell, Nansana municipality, Wakiso district, was sentenced on November 3, 2026, by the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Makindye.
Bwambale was facing charges of possession of classified drugs, possession of Government stores and carrying on the business of a pharmacist without a licence. The offences are contrary to the National Drug Policy and Authority Act.
While sentencing Bwambale, Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu noted that the convict had initially denied the charges but changed his plea and admitted the offences after the prosecution presented witnesses.
Kamasanyu added that the convict had saved the court's time and State resources, had no previous criminal record, but noted that the offence was rampant.
The prosecution asked the court to impose a harsh sentence to deter would-be offenders.
In mitigation, Bwambale apologised to the court and expressed regret for his actions. He told the court that he was a father of young school-going children, a husband to a wife with a mental health condition and had an elderly mother who was sickly and needed his help.
He added that he had a loan with a microfinance institution and had mortgaged his house as security. He therefore asked the court for a non-custodial sentence to enable him to service the loan and support his family.
Kamasanyu sentenced Bwambale to three years' imprisonment for possession of classified drugs, one year for possession of government stores and one year for operating a pharmacy without a licence.
The sentences are to run concurrently, with the six months Bwambale spent on remand deducted from the term.
The prosecution was represented by Martin Arineitwe, while Bwambale represented himself.
The offences
The particulars presented to court indicate that on July 15, 2026, at Kyebando Cell, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district, Bwambale was found in possession of various classified drugs, including painkillers, antibiotics, antimalarials, injections, creams and other prescription medicines, contrary to Section 27(1) of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act, Cap 198.
He was also found in possession of metronidazole tablets BP 200mg, chlorpromazine injection BP 25mg/ml, 2ml, nystatin pessaries BP 100,000 IU, clotrimazole pessaries BP 100mg and Actrapid 10ml, bearing the marks applied on stores under the control of the Ministry of Health: "GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA FOR PUBLIC USE ONLY NOT FOR SALE", which may reasonably be suspected of having been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
Bwambale was also found to be selling the drugs in a pharmacy without a licence from the authority.