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Police, NDA bust suspected fake veterinary drug manufacturing racket in Kitagwenda
Kituuma told journalists today (June 22, 2026) that the operation followed investigations into the illegal manufacture and distribution of veterinary drugs.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma. (File photo)
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Police in Kitagwenda district, working jointly with the National Drug Authority (NDA), have uncovered a suspected illegal veterinary drug manufacturing operation and launched a hunt for its alleged mastermind.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma told journalists today (June 22, 2026) that the operation followed investigations into the illegal manufacture and distribution of veterinary drugs.
A bodaboda rider identified as Amos Turyaguma was initially arrested, leading investigators to the manufacturing site allegedly run by a man identified as Julius Tayebwa.
“On June 20, police and NDA officials conducted a search at Tayebwa’s premises in Rwentuha village,” Kituuma said, adding that the search resulted in the recovery of suspected powdered chemicals, white crystals, packaging materials, labelling stickers, empty drums and other exhibits believed to have been used in the manufacture of veterinary medicines.
“This suspect was not merely trading in the products but appears to have been manufacturing them from a makeshift facility,” Kituuma said.
The prime suspect, Tayebwa, remains on the run, as police continue to search for him and his associates.
Kituuma warned that the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit veterinary drugs poses a major threat to Uganda’s agricultural sector.
“Administering fake veterinary medicines can have very serious ramifications on livestock production and agriculture generally,” he noted.
He urged farmers and members of the public to report suspected illegal drug manufacturing or sales to police and NDA offices.
“This suspect was not merely trading in the products but appears to have been manufacturing them from a makeshift facility,” Kituuma said.
The prime suspect, Tayebwa, remains on the run, as police continue to search for him and his associates.
Kituuma warned that the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit veterinary drugs poses a major threat to Uganda’s agricultural sector.
“Administering fake veterinary medicines can have very serious ramifications on livestock production and agriculture generally,” he noted.
He urged farmers and members of the public to report suspected illegal drug manufacturing or sales to police and NDA offices.
Kituuma also said authorities were exploring mechanisms to help farmers distinguish genuine veterinary drug dealers from fraudulent operators.
“People need a way of identifying legitimate dealers. We are discussing this with NDA so that communities can better protect themselves,” he said.
Investigations into the matter remain ongoing, according to Kituuma. This is not the first case of unscrupulous Ugandans dealing in fake veterinary drugs.
In June last year, the Magistrate’s Court in Mbale sentenced Eunice Lutiro, a resident of Butibwa Village in Namisindwa District, to three years in prison after finding her guilty of selling fake veterinary drugs.
Lutiro was also fined sh1 million for smuggling unapproved animal medications. Lutiro, who had been on bail, was arrested by NDA officials and police in October 2021 during an operation to crackdown on illegal veterinary drug dealers.
NDA recovered 14 boxes of assorted classified veterinary drugs from her, including dewormers, antibiotics, multivitamins, acaricides, and antiparasitic treatments, which she was distributing illegally across Mbale City and Bugiri District.
“People need a way of identifying legitimate dealers. We are discussing this with NDA so that communities can better protect themselves,” he said.
Investigations into the matter remain ongoing, according to Kituuma. This is not the first case of unscrupulous Ugandans dealing in fake veterinary drugs.
In June last year, the Magistrate’s Court in Mbale sentenced Eunice Lutiro, a resident of Butibwa Village in Namisindwa District, to three years in prison after finding her guilty of selling fake veterinary drugs.
Lutiro was also fined sh1 million for smuggling unapproved animal medications. Lutiro, who had been on bail, was arrested by NDA officials and police in October 2021 during an operation to crackdown on illegal veterinary drug dealers.
NDA recovered 14 boxes of assorted classified veterinary drugs from her, including dewormers, antibiotics, multivitamins, acaricides, and antiparasitic treatments, which she was distributing illegally across Mbale City and Bugiri District.