KAMPALA — The Inspectorate of Government has issued a blunt criminal warning to the National Drug Authority’s top leadership, threatening prison sentences for officials attempting to bypass a federal freeze on board appointments.
In a high-stakes standoff involving allegations of irregular institutional entrenchment, Deputy Inspector General of Government Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe directed the NDA to halt the induction of Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo and Dr. Muhammad Mbabali. The March 2 directive intercepted a planned swearing-in ceremony at a luxury hotel in Kololo, which was reportedly organized in open defiance of the ombudsman’s earlier orders.
The IGG’s intervention follows a whistleblower’s complaint and a parallel High Court challenge targeting the Ministry of Health’s decision to grant a fourth term to veteran board members. Critics argue the move demonstrates a systemic failure of transparency and accountability within the body responsible for Uganda’s pharmaceutical safety.
The crisis reached a flashpoint when the IGG received intelligence that NDA leadership intended to proceed with a formal ceremony at the Four Points by Sheraton, presided over by a Chief Magistrate, despite an explicit halt issued on Feb. 26. In a letter addressed to NDA Secretary Dr. David Nahamya, the Deputy IGG noted that any further action to formalize the board would constitute disobedience of lawful orders. Under Section 34(C) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, such an offense carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment.
Internal sources indicate that Bitekyerezo initially challenged the IGG’s jurisdiction, suggesting the authority should not be bound by the directive while the matter is being litigated in the High Court. However, the ceremony was ultimately aborted as the legal and criminal risks mounted.
The administrative paralysis at the NDA is fueled by a lawsuit filed by Mark Owayezu, who contends that the Ministry of Health bypassed mandatory vetting and no-objection protocols from the Cabinet. The petition alleges that the appointments of the ninth board violated established procedures, including a lack of security vetting by competent state authorities and the failure to solicit nominations from designated professional institutions. The reappointment of members who have served since 2017 would extend their influence over the 20-member board until 2029.
While Justice Collins Acellam of the High Court’s Civil Division is set to hear the matter on April 27, the NDA and the Ministry of Health have yet to file a formal defense. The court registrar has warned that the case will proceed in their absence if they fail to appear.
The standoff leaves the National Drug Authority in a state of leadership limbo. As the primary regulator for drug manufacturing and importation, the lack of a legally recognized board threatens to stall critical policy decisions and oversight functions. Neither the Ministry of Health nor the NDA’s executive leadership has issued a formal response to the IGG’s threat of prosecution.
