KAMPALA, Uganda — The Government has launched a nationwide media campaign to fight theft and diversion of medicines from public health facilities, warning that the vice endangers lives and undermines Uganda’s progress toward universal health coverage.
The campaign, unveiled at the National Medical Stores (NMS) headquarters in Kampala, brings together the Ministry of Health, the Uganda Police Force, and the State House Health Monitoring Unit. It seeks to mobilise citizens to protect government-supplied medicines, which are provided free of charge in all public health facilities.
Mr. Moses Kamabare, the NMS General Manager, said drug pilferage remains one of the most serious challenges facing the public health sector. “Medicines are not just government assets that cost money — when stolen, they cost lives,” he said. “No Ugandan should die because the drugs meant to save them were taken away.”
Kamabare explained that NMS has tightened control systems to improve transparency and accountability. All delivery trucks are fitted with GPS trackers, and real-time dispatch alerts are sent to local officials to confirm receipt of supplies. Each consignment, he added, carries embossed packaging clearly marked ‘Government of Uganda – Not for Sale’.
He called for a review of existing penalties to match the seriousness of the crime. “Someone who steals medicines worth 200 million shillings and pays a fine of 5 million is not deterred,” he said. “We propose that offenders pay three times the value of the stolen medicines.”
ACP Rusoke Kituuma, the Police Spokesperson, said law enforcement agencies are ready to act on reports of theft and will protect those who expose wrongdoers. “The moment you blow the whistle, we shall protect you. Anyone caught stealing medicines will face the full force of the law,” he said.
Dr. Warren Namara, Head of the Health Monitoring Unit, said medicines worth more than 1.5 billion shillings have been recovered over the past two years. “Drug theft weakens the health system and denies care to those most in need,” he said.
Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, said the forthcoming National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill will introduce stronger oversight and penalties.
The campaign will run on radio, television, and digital platforms under the message: “Government medicines are free. They must remain free.”
