OPINION: WHY UGANDA MUST UNITE TO END DRUG THEFT

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By Martha Asinguza

Drug theft in Uganda is not just a technical hiccup—it is a national challenge that undermines service delivery and puts lives at risk. When medicines meant for the public are stolen or diverted, the cost is borne by ordinary Ugandans, especially mothers and children in rural areas.
Government, through the National Medical Stores (NMS), has invested heavily in improving supply systems such as the Last-Mile Delivery initiative. But even with such progress, challenges remain. Drugs disappear from facilities, stockouts persist, and patients are sometimes asked to pay illegally. This is unacceptable.
The solution lies in collective responsibility. Health workers—doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and store managers—are custodians of these medicines. They must manage stock with integrity, prescribe responsibly, and speak out when malpractice occurs. Professional duty is more than treating patients; it is also protecting public resources.
At the same time, oversight institutions must be more vigilant. District leaders, MPs, RDCs, and DHOs should work together to monitor drug deliveries, verify records, and protect whistleblowers. Community engagement forums should be used to inform the public about what has been supplied.
Security agencies and the judiciary must treat drug theft as a serious crime. Offenders should face swift and fair prosecution. Every conviction sends a strong message that misusing public medicines is an attack on national wellbeing.
Communities, too, have a role. Citizens should learn to identify government-supplied drugs—clearly marked “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale”—and report suspicious cases. Active citizen participation strengthens the fight.
Ending medicine theft is a shared national duty. No Ugandan should be turned away from a health facility because supplies were stolen. Together, we can build a transparent, trusted, and reliable health system where every drug reaches its intended patient.
The author is a student at Makerere University.