Two businessmen remanded over illegal drug manufacturing
Rodney Ssali, 25, a resident of Lungujja village in Rubaga Division, and Conelius Otanga, 36, a resident of Lugala, Rubaga Division, Kampala, were arraigned before court on November 3, 2026, and charged with various offences.
Rodney Ssali (right) and Conelius Otanga (left) at the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Makindye, where they were charged and remanded to Luzira Government Prison. (Photo by Margaret Zalwango)
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The Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court in Makindye has charged and remanded two businessmen over the alleged illegal manufacture of drugs.
Rodney Ssali, 25, a resident of Lungujja village in Rubaga Division, and Conelius Otanga, 36, a resident of Lugala, Rubaga Division, Kampala, were arraigned before court on November 3, 2026, and charged with various offences.
The duo appeared before Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu, who read the charges to them. They pleaded not guilty.
Kamasanyu remanded them to Luzira Government Prison until November 23, 2026, when the case is scheduled for hearing.
Prosecution charges
The charge sheet presented to court by Martin Arineitwe, a prosecutor from the National Drug and Health Products Authority, states that Ssali, between August and October 2026, manufactured Chlorhexidine Gluconate BP 0.3% (Kevian) in one-litre and 200ml bottles, as well as iodine and potassium iodide, at Prime Complex building along Wilson Road in Kampala district.
He is accused of manufacturing the products without a licence issued by the National Drug and Health Products Authority under the National Drug and Health Products Authority Act, 2026.
It is further alleged that Ssali manufactured the same drugs without a licence between August and October 2026 at Bulange zone, Nsibambi Road, in Rubaga.
Court also heard that Otanga manufactured Chlorhexidine Gluconate, cetrimide BP and isopropyl alcohol BP without a licence between August and October 2026 in Lugala village.
Further, Ssali is accused of distributing drugs without a licence along Bombo Road in Kampala on August 24 and 27, 2026. The charge sheet states that he distributed 1,047 bottles of Chlorhexidine Gluconate, cetrimide BP and isopropyl alcohol BP to Multiple Pharmacy.
The drugs are used in surgery and for treating wounds.
Investigations
Arineitwe told court that investigations into the matter were complete and asked for a hearing date.
The magistrate informed the accused persons of their right to apply for bail.
Although they indicated that they were ready to apply for bail, the magistrate told them that, since investigations were complete, the matter should proceed to hearing so that their fate could be determined.
She remanded them to Luzira Government Prison until November 23, 2026, and directed the prosecution to bring witnesses. The accused persons will also apply for bail on the same day.