Ugandan authorities have arrested a clinical officer in Isingiro District after more than half a million doses of government-supplied antiretroviral (ARV) drugs were recovered, the National Drug Authority (NDA) has said.
The suspect, who is attached to Nyamuyanja Health Centre IV, was detained on Thursday evening following a two-week search, according to the NDA. Officials say he had been moving between locations to avoid arrest.
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Speaking to journalists in Mbarara City, NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri said the arrest was made in Ibanda District after investigators recovered large quantities of stolen medicines from a residence in Katete, Nyamitanga, in Mbarara City South Division.
The drugs recovered included about 500,000 doses of ARVs, as well as antimalarial medicines and HIV testing kits, which are meant for public health facilities.
Mr Rwamwiri said the suspect is believed to have gone into hiding after learning that an alleged accomplice — a storekeeper at the same health centre — had been arrested earlier and medicines recovered.
The NDA says theft of government medicines remains a widespread and organised crime involving some health workers and civilians.
“Since 2019, stolen government drugs valued at about 15 billion shillings have been recovered, and we are currently handling 68 cases involving health workers,” Mr Rwamwiri said. “It is deeply concerning that people entrusted with caring for patients are instead stealing medicines meant for the public.”
He added that the authority is working closely with several security agencies, including the police, military intelligence, the Internal Security Organisation and the Special Forces Command, to dismantle the network behind the thefts.
The suspect is expected to be charged with illegal possession of government stores and unlawful possession of classified drugs under the National Drug Authority Act.
His alleged accomplice was on Thursday sentenced to three years in prison by the Isingiro Chief Magistrate’s Court on similar charges.
The NDA has urged members of the public to report suspected cases of drug theft, warning that the loss of ARVs poses a serious threat to HIV treatment, especially at a time when reduced donor funding is putting pressure on Uganda’s health system.
Rwizi Region police spokesperson Samson Kasasira said the case file has been submitted to the State Attorney, who will advise on the charges to be brought against the suspect.
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