By weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
The Grade One Magistrate’s Court in MbaleCity has sentenced Eunice Lutiro, a 35-year-old woman from Namisidwa District, to three years in prison for illegally dealing in counterfeit animal drugs.
Lutiro was arrested three years ago by officials from the National Drug Authority (NDA for distributing unauthorized veterinary drugs in Mbale City, Bugiri District, and other areas. During the operation, 14 boxes of assorted counterfeit veterinary drugs were recovered, including: Dewormers, Antibiotics, and Multivitamins. She pleaded not guilty to the offence.
However, today, Friday, 20th June, 2025, the Grade One Magistrate, Morris Oburu, dismissed the plea, stating that Lutiro had wasted court’s time by refusing to take a plea bargain when she was given the opportunity.
“Upon that, I sentence you to three years in prison and a fine of 1 million Shillings,” declared Oburu.
Before sentencing, Lutiro’s lawyer, Joseph Wabula Massa, pleaded for leniency, arguing that she was a single mother of four children and breadwinner for her elderly parents. He also told the court that Lutiro was remorseful and claimed she did not fully understand the implications of her actions.
The NDA spokesperson, Abiaz Rwamwiri, welcomed the verdict. He emphasised that the ruling sends a strong warning to those involved in the illegal trade of counterfeit animal drugs.
“Such fake drugs have caused serious diseases in both animals and humans,” the spokesperson said. “The public should report anyone dealing in such drugs to the authorities.”
Laboratory tests conducted by the NDA Pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratory revealed that some of the seized drugs contained no active ingredients, making them substandard, falsified, and ineffective.
