NDA impounds 121 boxes of drugs, arrests five in West Nile

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Drug Authority (NDA) has arrested five people for illegal dealing in drugs.

Four people including a Congolese national were arrested in Arua, while one was arrested in Nebbi in a crackdown on illegal dealing in drugs.

The five day operation which started on Monday in West Nile also resulted in the impounding of 121 boxes of prohibited, expired and government drugs in clinics and drug shops. The NDA staff also closed 57 drug shops across the region.

Samuel Kyomukama, the head of enforcement NDA says a Congolese was among those arrested for hawking medicine in Kampala Market along Logiri-DR Congo border in Arua district

Meanwhile, Fredrick Ssekyana, the communications officer NDA explains that several drug outlets were inspected in the region leading to the arrests and impounding of medicines. According to him, there has been an increase in the number of illegal dealers in human and animal drugs.

Emmanuel Umirambe, the regional manager NDA West Nile says most of the smuggled and fake drugs impounded find their way in to the country from China, adding that more efforts are being put in place to crack down on the illegal dealers.

Harold Obitre, a health officer in Arua district commended NDA for the crackdown saying the practice of selling smuggled, prohibited, government and expired drugs is a dangerous practice that needs punitive action.

According to the NDA officials, some of the impounded drugs including Artesonate, Amoxyline and Anti-malarials.