The National Medical Stores (NMS) has launched a major nationwide media campaign to combat drug pilferage and rally Ugandans behind the protection of government-procured medicines.
Speaking at the launch of the month-long drive on Monday, NMS General Manager Moses Kamabare urged Parliament to tighten penalties against drug thieves, saying current fines are too lenient to deter offenders.
“If someone steals medicines worth Shs 200 million and walks away with Shs 5 million fine, that is not justice,” Kamabare said. “We propose that any culprit pays three times the value of the stolen commodities. If you’re caught with drugs worth Shs 1 billion, you pay Shs 3 billion. That’s how you send a clear message.”
The campaign will run across radio and digital platforms, targeting both rural and urban communities. Its central message: Government medicines, paid for by taxpayers, must never be sold.
Kamabare stressed that drug theft is more than an economic offence.
“Medicines are not just government assets. When stolen, they cost lives. No Ugandan should die because the drugs meant to save them were diverted.”
He reassured the public of NMS’s commitment to transparency, noting that all delivery trucks are GPS-tracked, and stakeholders receive real-time alerts upon dispatch and delivery.
“Any citizen can demand to see stamped delivery notes. If anyone asks you to pay for medicine in a government facility, that is theft. Report it immediately.”
Uganda Police spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma vowed protection for whistleblowers.
“Anyone who steals our medicines is a threat to national security. Speak out, we shall protect you.”
Health Monitoring Unit boss Dr. Warren Namara revealed that over UGX 1.5 billion worth of medicines and equipment have been recovered in the past two years.
“Many of these cases are in court. We urge the media to help expose culprits. If you see anything suspicious, call 0800200447.”
Director General of Health Services Dr. Charles Olaro said the upcoming National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill will introduce stronger penalties for health workers entrusted with public medicines.
He added that hospitals are tightening accountability through stock records, dispensing logs, and Medicines and Therapeutics Committees.
“Prevention is key, responsible lifestyles reduce the pressure on the health system. Let’s protect both our bodies and our medicines.”
About NMS
Established in 1993, NMS procures and distributes medicines and health supplies to over 3,400 government health facilities, national referral hospitals, and security agencies. To curb theft, most supplies are embossed with “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale”.
Government medicines are free. They must remain free.
The Ministry of Health, NMS, the Health Monitoring Unit, and Uganda Police call on all Ugandans to report drug theft wherever it occurs.
