The National Drug Authority has arrested a health worker in Kassanda District after large quantities of government medicines were discovered hidden in a pit latrine.
The suspect identified as Swamad Nsamba, an Assistant Nursing Officer at Kassanda Health Centre IV, was allegedly found in possession of more than 100,000 doses of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), 15,000 doses of Aspirin, and 400 HIV testing kits.
All the medicines were clearly labeled “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale.”
According to the spokesperson of the National Drug Authority, Abiaz Rwamwiri, the drugs had been hidden in a pit latrine at a private clinic in Bukuya Trading Centre where the suspect reportedly works part-time.
“Nsamba Swamad, an Assistant Nursing Officer of Kassanda Health Center IV, was found with over 100,000 doses of antiretrovirals (ARVs), 15,000 doses of Aspirin and 400 HIV testing kits, all clearly marked ‘Government of Uganda Not for Sale,” Rwamwiri said on X.
The arrest is part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal diversion of government medicines by health workers.
Nsamba is not the first government health worker to be arrested in connection with drug theft, in December last year, the authority arrested Muzahura John Baptist, a Senior Clinical Officer at Nyamuyanja Health Centre IV, after he was found with over 500,000 doses of antiretroviral drugs at his home in Nyamitanga.
The same operation also recovered 2,680 doses of antimalarial drugs, 11,500 malaria testing kits, and other medicines including amoxicillin injections, gentamicin injections, calcium lactate tablets and povidone iodine, all marked “Government of Uganda – For Public Use Only, Not for Sale.”
Investigations revealed that the medicines had been stolen from a government health facility with the help of Balhubasa Bridget, a Health Information Assistant and stores in-charge at the same facility. Bridget was sentenced to three years in prison by the Isingiro Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The NDA says investigations into the Kassanda case are ongoing.
