The theft of government drugs by cartels, involving medical staff, law enforcement officers, and unscrupulous individuals, is undermining service delivery in Busoga, according to the Inspectorate of Government (IGG). The IGG and police officers are actively pursuing officials involved in alleged theft in the sub-region, where drug cartels infiltrate government hospital supply chains, stealing and repackaging government drugs for resale at private clinics or smuggling them across borders.
The Inspectorate’s recent investigation in Bugiri District has led to allegations against Dr. Abubakar Nakendo, the Medical Superintendent of Bugiri General Hospital. Dr. Nakendo is accused of extortion, maladministration, and theft of government stores, which were reportedly sold at his privately-owned Bugiri Medical Services. The IGG has directed the Bugiri District Police Commander to arrest Dr. Nakendo, who is currently on the run.
During an inspection, the IGG discovered medical supplies marked “Government of Uganda – not for sale” at Dr. Nakendo’s private clinic, which were absent from Bugiri General Hospital. The investigation revealed irregularities in attendance records, with Dr. Nakendo consistently absent from the hospital. Essential medical supplies, including antiseptics, gloves, blood, and medicines, were reported to be in shortage at Bugiri hospital.
The IGG’s efforts to address drug theft in the healthcare sector are part of a broader initiative to combat corruption. Marlon Agaba, the Executive Director of Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU), acknowledged the existence of syndicates involved in drug theft, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to tackle the issue. The digitization of the drug delivery system by the National Medical Stores (NMS) is seen as a step forward, but challenges persist, and the IGG’s 2021 report highlighted the common occurrence of drug theft in the healthcare sector, putting patients’ lives at risk.
Busoga Sub-region has been identified as having a high level of drug hawking and the sale of counterfeit drugs in makeshift markets, according to the National Drug Authority (NDA). The NDA is actively addressing these issues through raids and inspections. The IGG and law enforcement agencies continue to work on uncovering and prosecuting individuals involved in drug theft, with a focus on improving service delivery and safeguarding public health.
