KASSANDA, Uganda — The National Drug Authority (NDA) has arrested a health worker in Kassanda District over the alleged theft and illegal possession of government medicines during a special enforcement operation targeting the diversion of drugs from public health facilities.
The suspect, identified as Nsamba Swamad, an Assistant Nursing Officer at Kassanda Health Centre IV, was reportedly found with large quantities of government medical supplies.
According to the NDA, more than 100,000 doses of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, 15,000 aspirin tablets, and 400 HIV testing kits were recovered during the operation.
Investigators said the medicines had been hidden in a pit latrine at a private clinic in Bukuya Trading Centre, where the suspect is believed to work part-time.
Authorities say the discovery was made during a targeted crackdown aimed at curbing the theft and illegal diversion of government medicines meant for patients in public health facilities.
Nsamba is currently being held in police custody and is expected to appear before the Makindye Wildlife and Utilities Court to face several charges related to illegal possession of government medical supplies.
Prosecutors plan to charge him under Section 296(2) of the Penal Code Act for illegal possession of government stores and Section 27(2) of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act for possession of classified drugs.
The NDA said the arrest is part of a wider campaign to dismantle networks involved in stealing and reselling government medicines, a problem that has long affected the availability of essential drugs in public health facilities.
Since 2019, the authority has conducted multiple enforcement operations across the country targeting individuals suspected of diverting government medicines.
Over the past six years, these operations have led to the recovery of stolen medicines worth more than Shs15 billion and the arrest of at least 62 suspects, including 43 health workers, as well as a soldier and a police officer.
Several of the suspects have already been convicted.
Among recent cases cited by the NDA is that of Kibalya Ronald Nditusawa, a former drug dispenser at Kayunga Hospital, who together with accomplices was sentenced on October 7 to up to four years in prison after being found in possession of 64,800 doses of stolen ARVs.
Authorities warn that the theft and illegal sale of government medicines undermines critical public health programs, particularly HIV treatment efforts, which depend on the steady supply of antiretroviral drugs in public health facilities.
The NDA has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspected drug-related crimes through its toll-free line and WhatsApp platform as it intensifies efforts to eliminate the illegal trade in government medicines.
