By Andrew Irumba
Gulu: An operation conducted by officials from the National Drug Authority last week left 270 clinics that were operating illegally in Northern Uganda closed, and recovered stolen government drugs worth over Shs109m.
This unannounced crackdown operation on illegal drug shops was conducted in the 16 districts in northern Uganda within the past week. The operation covered the districts of Gulu, Pader, Kitgum, Nwoya, Lamwo, Agago, Omoro, Kole, Kwania, Apac, Oyam, Amolatar, Lira, Otuke, Dokolo and Alebtong. (www.franksautocredit.net) During the said operation, NDA officials also impounded 312 boxes of assorted human drugs estimated at Shs109m, which were embossed with the Government of Uganda logo and not meant for sale. David Kagwa, the Drug Inspector for Northern region, said that “The closed drug outlets were either unlicensed or being operated by unqualified personnel.” He added that “Most of the drug operators were also found mixing the sale of drugs with clinical work yet they are not qualified.” Samuel Kyamokama, the Head of Enforcement NDA, said that four suspected illegal drug operators were arrested and handed over to police for further management.
The suspects are Sambo Okello, who was found hawking veterinary drugs in Mitacho market in Oyam, Patrick Kilama, who was found in possession of government drugs in Agago district, Daniel Opio and Nancy Ajok who were found selling government drugs in Kwania district. Police has since charged the suspects with being in possession of government stores and they will be produced in court to answer their respective cases. Fredrick Ssekyama, the NDA Spokesperson says they have so far conducted operations in five different regions of the country including, Eastern, West Nile, Central and Northern. “From these operations NDA has cumulatively recovered about 764 boxes of assorted government drugs estimated at over Shs294M from over 454 illegal outlets in the five regions.” Ssekyama said
