Officials of the National Medical Stores, Health Monitoring Unit and law enforcement in a group photo after the Uganda Media Center press briefing on Monday, September 29th 2025
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The fight against theft of government medicines has entered a new phase, with the National Medical Stores (NMS), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Police, and Health Monitoring Unit (HMU), rolling out a national campaign to weed out drug thieves.
The initiative, launched on September 29, 2025, aims to involve citizens more directly in monitoring and protecting medicines supplied to public facilities, as well as arresting the drug thieves.
Moses Kamabare, the NMS General Manager emphasized transparency in drug distribution.
“Every truck that leaves NMS is loaded with life-saving supplies and is fitted with GPS trackers. We send dispatch and delivery alerts so stakeholders can verify deliveries in real time,” Kamabare explained.
This system allows local leaders and citizens to confirm that consignments reach health facilities as intended. Each package is accompanied by signed delivery notes that anyone can cross-check.
Kamabare reminded Ugandans that all medicines in public health facilities are free of charge.
“If anyone asks you to pay, that is theft. Report it immediately,” he said
The campaign coincides with government’s plan to table the National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill, which will tighten laws around storage, distribution, and misuse of public medicines.
Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, the new law will be a “game-changer” in safeguarding health commodities.
Hospitals are also strengthening accountability by improving stock management systems and ensuring procurement aligns with actual patient demand to cut down on wastage.
The Health Monitoring Unit (HMU) boss Dr. Warren Namara disclosed that medicines and equipment worth Shs1.5 billion have been recovered in the last two years alone. Many cases are now before court, highlighting the scale of the problem.
“The health of the population is a strategic resource. You destroy it at your own peril,” Namara said, urging media and citizens to join in exposing culprits.
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