Busia, Uganda – The National Drug Authority (NDA) has intercepted smuggled medicines being transported illegally in passenger buses through Busia district, raising fresh concerns over drug safety and regulation in Uganda.
The operation, which was part of NDA’s surveillance activities across Eastern Uganda last week, revealed that the medicines were being ferried without proper documentation and in violation of national drug transport regulations.
According to Abiaz Rwamwiri, the NDA spokesperson, medicines are legally required to be transported only by licensed individuals with a Certificate of Suitability of Premises (CoSP). This ensures compliance with regulations, proper handling, and adherence to safety protocols.
“None of these guidelines were being followed,” Rwamwiri explained, noting that the seized drugs were found hidden in passenger buses alongside luggage, exposing them to risks of contamination, damage, and misuse.
The NDA has in recent months intensified operations against the circulation of counterfeit, smuggled, and substandard drugs, which pose serious health risks to Ugandans. The authority says smugglers often exploit porous border points and passenger transport vehicles to sneak medicines into the country illegally.
Public health experts warn that unregulated medicines not only endanger lives but also undermine Uganda’s fight against drug-resistant diseases. NDA has pledged to continue surveillance and community sensitization to ensure Ugandans access safe, effective, and quality medicines.
Source: URN
