NDA rounds up illegal drug dealers in eastern Uganda
NDA officials also seized a total of 130 million shillings worth of pharmaceuticals from private pharmacies and clinics in the country's eastern region.
The National Drug Authority (NDA) has detained and accused two people with impersonating NDA employees and three others with dealing in illegal drug sales and smuggling.
NDA officials also seized a total of 130 million shillings worth of pharmaceuticals from private pharmacies and clinics in the country’s eastern region.
The substances were discovered during a raid on drug dealers who were selling illegally and outlets that did not meet licensing standards. The operations, which lasted two weeks from August 2 to 13, 2021, covered districts in the Teso, Bugisu, Sebei, and Bukedea subregions.
Unregistered pharmaceuticals like as viagra and postinor, which were trafficked into Uganda through porous borders, particularly in Namisndwa, Kapchorwa, Bukwo, and Amudat, were among the impounded drugs. During the operation, 655 drug outlets were inspected, 36 of which were pharmacies, 599 were shops dealing in human, vet, and herbal medicines, 20 clinics, and 225 of the drug out lets were closed, according to Samuel Kyomukama, the NDA head of enforcement, who spoke to journalists at Wash and Wills in Mbale City on Friday.
During the operation, they also seized 325 boxes of various substances worth Shs 130 million and arrested five people, according to him. Emmanuel Wanzala of Manafwa district, Patrick Opolot of Soroti, and Ester Amulen of Kumi have been arrested and charged with operating as pharmacists without a license and illegally possessing classified pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Martin Okello of the Moruapesur clinic in Soroti district and Henry Engwedu were also detained for forgery, falsifying documents, obtaining money under false pretenses, impersonating NDA drug inspectors, and extortion of money from drug shop owners.
Lumertem tablets labelled “Government of Uganda “Not for Sale” and intended for usage in public facilities were impounded from St. Rhoda pharmacy shop in Amuria area, according to Kyomukama.
In the Eastern region, he noted, there is more compliance with the NDA license standards than in previous operations, as the number of illicit shops registered has fallen.
Dr. Tom Makumbi, the NDA Eastern Region Manager, stated that the border districts bordering Kenya are prime targets for smuggling pharmaceuticals into the country, particularly sex enhancers such as kifaru, which is approved for use in Kenya.
He urged the public to remain watchful and report anyone smuggling or unlawfully dealing in unlicensed narcotics, noting that the Teso subregion has the most illegal drug outlets.
Luganda
The Commandant of the Mbale Field Force Unit, Samuel Okello, stated that anyone discovered carrying illegal narcotics will be arrested and prosecuted.
