The National Drug Authority (NDA) has arrested the Senior Clinical Officer at Nyamuyanja Health Centre IV in Isingiro District, John Baptist Muzahura, and a health information assistant over the theft of government drugs from the public health facility.
According to NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri, Muzahura was arrested following a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by the authority in collaboration with the police after he went into hiding for several days.
“Through our intelligence, we established that he was involved in the theft of government drugs. With the aid of his accomplice, Bridget Barusa, they managed to obtain consignments of medicines from Health Centre IV where they were working,” Rwamwiri said.
He revealed that investigations led to the recovery of more than 500,000 doses of antiretroviral drugs, 2,680 doses of anti-malaria medicines, HIV testing kits and other essential medical supplies from Muzahura’s residence in Katete, Nyamitanga, Mbarara City South Division.
Rwamwiri said both suspects initially evaded arrest, but Barusa was apprehended first and later prosecuted.
“The two were on the run, but we arrested Bridget first. She was yesterday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by the Isingiro Chief Magistrate,” he said.
The arrest of Muzahura comes as authorities intensify efforts to curb widespread theft and diversion of government medicines, a practice that has continued to undermine public healthcare delivery, particularly in rural areas.
Rwamwiri noted that since 2019, the NDA has recovered stolen government drugs valued at approximately Shs15 billion through nationwide enforcement operations.
He urged members of the public and health workers to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of drug theft and diversion in government institutions, warning that those found culpable will face prosecution.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court as investigations into the drug theft network continue.