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The National Drug Authority (NDA), working jointly with the Uganda Police Force, has arrested three suspected conmen accused of impersonating NDA inspectors and extorting money from drug outlet operators across the country.
The suspects are Don Byakatonda, the Executive Director of an NGO known as Health and Legal Ethics, Kizito Raymond Nabimba, and Faizo Kutesa, who reportedly operates under the alias Dr. Dennis.
According to investigations, the trio has been targeting drug shops and pharmacies, falsely presenting themselves as NDA inspectors. They allegedly sold fake operating licenses, conducted illegal inspections, and extorted millions of shillings from hundreds of unsuspecting operators under the pretense of protecting them from prosecution for drug-related offenses.
Byakatonda was arrested in Seguku while operating at a drug shop, where he claimed to be conducting HIV testing and treatment compliance checks on behalf of his NGO. Authorities say he demanded large sums of money from victims, falsely claiming the payments would prevent their arrest by NDA officials.
Meanwhile, Kizito Raymond Nabimba and Faizo Kutesa reportedly lured their victims to a document centre near the Kampala Extra offices, where they sold counterfeit licenses, charged exorbitant “inspection fees,” illegally inspected drug outlets, and issued fake approval letters.
The suspects are facing two criminal charges: Impersonation, contrary to Section 354(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128; and Obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
Kizito and Kutesa have already appeared before the Kanyanya Magistrate’s Court and were remanded until December 22, while Byakatonda’s case file has been forwarded to the State Attorney for legal advice.
In a statement, the NDA warned the public against dealing with brokers or individuals claiming to facilitate drug outlet approvals. The Authority emphasized that buying or selling approval letters is illegal, and that NDA does not charge fees through intermediaries.
“NDA only works through officially designated District Drug Inspectors, who are not allowed to demand or receive money for their services,” the Authority said. It further clarified that genuine NDA inspectors operate using clearly branded official vehicles and do not travel in private cars while on duty.
The public has been urged to remain vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious individuals to the police or directly to the NDA.
