Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA) has closed more than 105 illegal drug outlets and impounded 260 boxes of assorted classified medicines worth about Shs65 million following a week-long enforcement operation in the Teso sub-region.
Speaking at a press briefing at NDA offices in Soroti City, the Regional Inspector of Drugs for North Eastern Uganda, Dr Tom Makumbi, said the operation targeted the districts of Kaberemaido, Ngora, Kalaki, Kapelabyong and Soroti City.
The crackdown aimed to stop the sale and distribution of medicines by unlicensed outlets and unqualified individuals. Dr Makumbi said Kaberemaido emerged as the worst-affected district, with 44 boxes of medicines recovered from illegal drug shops.
“Our operations are guided by surveillance and intelligence. We no longer run around blindly—we plan carefully and act strategically,” Dr Makumbi said.
According to the NDA, many of the closed outlets were operating from unauthorized or unsuitable premises, without valid licences and under the supervision of unqualified personnel. The authority warned that such practices contribute to the circulation of counterfeit and substandard medicines, irrational drug use, treatment failure and rising antimicrobial resistance.
Dr Makumbi stressed that the enforcement drive is meant to encourage compliance rather than punish offenders.
“Our objective is not to send people to jail but to ensure compliance. We encourage operators to visit our regional office in Soroti for guidance so they can formalise their businesses,” he said.
He added that compliance in the region has improved, noting that the number of licensed Class C drug shops has increased from 884 last year to 1,010, an indication that many previously illegal outlets are now meeting regulatory standards.
The NDA said enforcement operations are resource-intensive and are therefore guided by risk assessments. With 19 districts in the North Eastern region, the authority prioritised areas with the highest levels of non-compliance during this phase.
Senior Inspector of Drugs Dr Alfred Ayom Akali appealed to the public to avoid buying medicines from open markets such as Amukaru, Wera and Toroma, where drugs are often sold under unsafe conditions by unqualified vendors.
“We urge the public to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and drug shops where the licence and photo of the qualified person are clearly displayed. Medicines sold in markets cannot be guaranteed to be safe or effective,” Dr Akali said.
The NDA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring access to safe and effective medicines, even in hard-to-reach areas. Dr Makumbi noted that in some cases the authority licenses unconventional but suitable premises, including traditional manyattas, especially in regions such as Karamoja, provided a qualified health professional is in charge.
The National Drug Authority regulates the manufacture, importation and distribution of human and veterinary medicines and health products in Uganda, with enforcement operations aimed at protecting public health and ensuring that all medicines on the market meet required safety and quality standards.
