Ugandan Judiciary Urged to Take Stronger Action Against Medicine Theft

By Peter Luzinda

Judicial officers in Uganda are being urged to play a more assertive role in tackling medicine theft, a crime that officials say robs patients of life-saving treatment and erodes public trust in the country’s health system.

Retired judicial official Thomas Elungat emphasized that the judiciary is central to ensuring accountability once investigations by police and oversight agencies are completed.

“Patients are denied treatment. Trust in public health collapses. The system is weakened,” Elungat told reporters. “It is the role of the judiciary to ensure that those who abuse the system face consequences that reflect the gravity of the offense.”

Despite government-supplied medicines being clearly labeled “Government of Uganda  Not for Sale,” they continue to surface in private pharmacies and across borders. Oversight bodies like the National Medical Stores and the State House Health Monitoring Unit have carried out raids and arrests, but enforcement has been undercut by weak prosecutions and lenient sentencing.

Uganda’s Penal Code criminalizes theft, and the Anti-Corruption Act of 2009 provides penalties for public officers who abuse their positions. Punishments range from imprisonment to disqualification from office. However, critics say many cases are either dismissed or face lengthy delays, discouraging whistleblowers from coming forward.

Lawyer Rita Ashemeza noted that judicial officers can support stronger prosecutions by guiding investigators on legal and evidentiary standards. “In complex cases involving syndicates, courts can allow extended investigations while ensuring suspects’ rights are protected,” she said.

Activists are calling on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to assign specialized prosecutors to handle cases of medicine theft, arguing that tailored expertise could improve conviction rates.

Elungat also stressed the need for firm sentencing. While community service or restitution may suffice for minor infractions, he said organized theft demands more serious penalties.

“Theft of medicines is not just a financial crime,” Elungat said. “It is stealing from the sick  and the justice system must make clear it will not be tolerated.”