By Our Reporter
Security officials, together with officers from the National Drug Authority (NDA), have arrested Muzahura John Baptist, a Senior Clinical Officer at Nyamuyanja Health Centre IV in Isingiro District, following four weeks of covert investigations. Muzahura had been on the run after being found in possession of more than 500,000 doses of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) illegally stored at his home in Nyamitanga, Mbarara City.
Abias Rwamwiri the NDA Public Relations Officer (right) with Samson Kasasira speak to the media
According to the NDA, the operation also led to the recovery of 2,680 doses of antimalarial drugs, 11,500 malaria testing kits, and other assorted medicines, all clearly labelled “Government of Uganda – For Public Use Only, Not for Sale.”
The recovered items included amoxicillin sodium injections, gentamicin injections, calcium lactate tablets, povidone iodine, and amoxicillin. 
NDA Public Relations Officer Abiaz Rwamwiri confirmed the arrest, saying Muzahura had been tracked for weeks after escaping an earlier attempt to apprehend him.
“Muzahura was arrested after four weeks of coordinated surveillance,” Rwamwiri said. “He had been on the run, but our teams, in collaboration with security agencies, managed to trace and detain him. What we found at his home reflects a shocking level of theft and diversion of government medicines.”
Rwamwiri added that the theft had deprived vulnerable patients of life-saving drugs.
“These medicines are meant for Ugandans who depend on public health facilities. Stealing them is not only criminal but also endangers lives,” he said.
Some of the recovered drugs
Muzahura’s arrest follows the earlier apprehension of his alleged accomplice, Balhubasa Bridget, a Health Information Assistant and Stores In-Charge at the same facility. Bridget was arrested two weeks ago and has since been sentenced to three years in prison by the Isingiro Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Muzahura, who is now in police custody, will face the following charges:
Rwamwiri said investigations are still ongoing and that more suspects may be brought to book.
“We are following all leads. Anyone involved in diverting government drugs will be held accountable,” he said.
Torch Media Africa
