A laboratory assistant and a watchman at Maregamo Health Center III in Murora Sub County, Kisoro District, have been arrested following a break-in that resulted in the theft of drugs worth millions of shillings.
The incident occurred on Sunday night when thieves broke into the facility’s stores while two health workers were on night duty, yet they failed to notice the break-in.
The theft was only discovered the next morning when health workers on the day shift found the store had been forced open and essential drugs stolen.
Hylon Dusingize, the in-charge of the health center, immediately reported the incident to the police and informed her district supervisors.
Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, confirmed that Patrick Namara, the watchman, and Gadi Habwomuremye, a laboratory assistant, are currently detained at Kisoro Police Station to assist with investigations.
Drug Theft in Uganda: A Persistent Challenge
Theft of government-supplied drugs remains a widespread issue in Uganda, often depriving vulnerable communities of essential medicines. In 2013, a report by the National Drug Authority (NDA) estimated that 30% of government-procured drugs were stolen and resold on the black market.
More recently, in 2022, a joint operation by the State House Health Monitoring Unit and security agencies led to the recovery of stolen medical supplies worth billions of shillings in districts such as Lira, Gulu, and Kampala.
Health experts warn that frequent drug theft undermines public confidence in the healthcare system and worsens the burden on already strained medical facilities.
Authorities continue to call for tighter security measures, including surveillance cameras and better tracking systems, to curb the rampant theft of medical supplies.