Medics arrested with Uganda, Kenya govts' smuggled drugs

HEALTH

The team from State House Health Monitoring Unit (SHMU), National Drug Authority (NDA) and security conducted an operation in Namisindwa district where they arrested 11 medics in possession of Kenya and Uganda governments' labeled drugs.

The operation team was led by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Namisindwa district, Moses Kigai Wamoto and Dr Jackson Ojera Abusu.

The team discovered that quack doctors were dealing with medics in the district to steal Uganda government drugs and smuggle them into Kenya and to their private drug shops and clinics.

"We are here to ensure that Ugandans receive first class medication but it's surprising that trained medics who are meant to protect and extend services to Ugandans are involved in stealing and smuggling drugs to Kenya," Wamoto said.

He urged the medics to be sincere and transparent. "As medics, you are there to bring hope to those whose hope has been broken; if you start stealing drugs, you're doing a disservice to our citizens," he said.

Wamoto made these remarks while addressing an emergency meeting that was held at Namisindwa district headquarters over the rampant theft of government drugs in the district.

It was revealed that Uganda government labeled ARVs worth millions of shillings are smuggled through the porous borders to Kenya where they are sold very expensively.

Tom Makumbi, the NDA eastern region inspector of drugs told the meeting that being on border with Uganda; Kenyan drugs are smuggled in the country through Lwakhakha because in the operation they found drugs with labels of the government of Kenya.

He said the 11 suspects who were arrested are kept at Lwakhakha Police Station.

 "We found illegal drugs in their premises with no documentations and poor disposal of expired drugs," he said.

Makumbi added that in other clinics they found vetinary drugs mixed with human drugs and other merchandise.

He noted that the operation was carried out in more than 11 clinics and drug shops at Lwakhakha border with Kenya, Bumbo, Bukokho, Magale, Kaboi, Namutiko, Muluku and Bumooni.

Namisindwa has 13 health centres, one health centre IV, three health centre III and four health centre II.

The meeting that was attended by the RDC, district LC5, Chief administrative officer (CAO), District internal security officer (DISO), National drug authority (NDA), O/C CID Namisindwa, and the in-charges of the entire health centres in Namisindwa to forge solutions to rampant drug theft.