The Uganda National Drugs Authority has arrested three suspects over illegal possession of government drugs and medical equipment presumed to be stolen from Kitgum General Hospital.
The government stores worth 1.5 billion Uganda shillings have been recovered from two drug shops belonging to Robert Akena a pharmacist attached to Kitgum General Hospital.
According to Abiaz Rwamwiri the NDA Public Relations Manager, the recovered equipment include oxygen converters, assorted laboratory equipment and heart monitors
Rwamwiri confirmed that they have arrested the shop attendants James Lubangakene and Christopher Odong for conniving with Akena who’s currently on the run.
NDA have also arrested Kenneth Wanon, a laboratory technician at the same hospital who has been found possessing several boxes of drugs including those belonging to government of uganda at his home.
The suspects are currently being held at Kitgum and Gulu Central Police Stations where they’re facing charges of illegal possession of classified drugs and illegal possession of government stores contrary to the National Drug Authority Act and Penal Code Act section 31(6) respectively.
Rwamwiri further noted that they’re working together with the Uganda Police Force to ascertain the persons involved in the aiding of these consignments out of the facility.
“We are still working with Uganda Police to ensure that we get the entire cartel because there’s no way how such a huge consignment can leave a small regional hospital like Kitgum without the notice of those who are in charge including the store keepers. We’re working with the Uganda Police to institute an audit on the entire store and recover all government drugs”
He further called upon the public to be vigilant and report any related cases to National Drug Authority and Uganda Police to ensure all drugs and the people are protected.
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