The Ministry of Health has proposed sweeping reforms that would replace the National Drug Authority (NDA) with a broader regulatory body overseeing not just medicines, but also medical devices, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and public health products.
The proposal is contained in the National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill, 2025, tabled before Parliament on September 4 by Anifa Kawooya, Minister of State for Health (General Duties). Speaker Anita Among referred the Bill to the Parliamentary Health Committee for scrutiny.
If passed, the law will repeal the National Drug Policy and Authority Act (1993) and amend the Food and Drug Act to establish a new regulator, the National Drug and Health Products Authority (NDHPA). The agency will oversee the manufacture, importation, distribution, exportation, and supply of all drugs and health-related products.
“The NDA faces challenges during the execution of its mandate due to the narrow scope of the Act. It does not regulate pharmacies in health units, vaccine distribution, or the recall of unsafe drugs,” Kawooya told Parliament. “It also lacks provisions for laboratory testing, product analysis, and powers to seal off premises that breach the law.”
Why the Reform?
The Ministry of Health argues that Uganda’s regulatory framework is outdated, having remained largely unchanged since 1993 despite advances in healthcare and evolving World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. Officials say the rise of unregulated products, particularly cosmetics and supplements, has exposed gaps that threaten public health.
The Bill specifically targets cosmetics containing harmful substances such as parabens, phthalates, hydroquinone, retinoids, and certain sunscreens. For the first time, Uganda’s cosmetics industry will fall under statutory control.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Tougher penalties for unsafe products: Supplying substandard drugs or health products will attract fines of up to UGX 100 million (corporate offenders) or UGX 60 million and five years in prison (individual offenders).
- Cosmetics regulation: Manufacturers or distributors of illegal cosmetics face up to 10 years in jail, while importers of unauthorized cosmetics will be forced to re-export them at their own cost.
- Expanded authority powers: The NDHPA will regulate pharmacies, vaccine release, recalls, laboratory testing, and analysis.
- Leadership changes: The Authority’s head will now be called Executive Director, replacing the title “Secretary.” The current officeholder is David Nahamya.
If enacted, Uganda will align its oversight of drugs, devices, and health products with international best practices, strengthening consumer protection and public health safety.
