By Namakula Mariam
The National Medical Stores (NMS) and other health sector stakeholders have urged Parliament to impose stronger penalties against drug theft in the upcoming National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill, warning that lenient punishments continue to fuel pilferage of government medicines.
The call was made yesterday during the launch of a one-month nationwide media campaign against drug theft. The campaign will run on radio and online platforms across the country, targeting both rural and urban audiences, and reinforcing the message that medicines procured with taxpayers’ money must never be sold.
Mr Moses Kamabare, the NMS General Manager, said drug theft is both an economic and human rights crime. “Medicines are not just government assets that cost money. When stolen, they cost lives. No Ugandan should die because the drugs meant to save them were taken away,” he said.
Currently, culprits caught with drugs worth Shs200 million face a fine of about Shs5 million, which stakeholders say is far too lenient. They are recommending penalties three times the value of the stolen medicines, arguing this would serve as a stronger deterrent.
ACP Rusoke Kituuma, the Police spokesperson, warned that drug thieves would be treated as threats to national security. He also assured whistleblowers of protection: “The moment you blow the whistle, we are ready to protect you. We must speak with one voice to defend the lives of Ugandans.”
To enhance transparency, NMS has installed GPS trackers on delivery trucks, dispatch and delivery alerts, and requires signed delivery notes that can be verified by citizens and officials. Dr Warren Namara, head of the Health Monitoring Unit, revealed that over the past two years medicines and equipment worth more than Shs1.5 billion had been recovered, with several cases now in court.
He urged the media to engage in investigative reporting to expose culprits, and encouraged the public to report suspicious activity via the official hotline 0800200447.
Dr Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, said the new bill will be a “game-changer” by introducing strict penalties and accountability measures. He also stressed prevention through lifestyle changes—such as reducing alcohol consumption and smoking, better nutrition, and exercise—to reduce the overall demand for medicines.
NMS, mandated to procure, store and distribute essential medicines and health supplies, delivers drugs every two months to more than 3,400 government health facilities and monthly to the seven national referral hospitals. All medicines are embossed with “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale” and marked “UG” to prevent theft.
