The National Drug Authority (NDA) has cracked down on illegal drug outlets in Greater Luweero, closing 51 shops and seizing medicines worth Shs35 million.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with the police, targeted districts in Nakaseke and Nakasongola.
According to Dr. Sam Nkuba Bainomugisha, Senior Inspector of Drugs at the Kampala NDA Extra Office, 32 shops in Nakaseke and 19 in Nakasongola were found operating without licenses.
The shops were ordered to close, and their medicines were impounded and transported to NDA stores in Nakawa. Owners can reclaim their drugs once they meet the necessary requirements.
Inspectors also found that some drugs were being administered by unqualified individuals, including school dropouts and casual laborers, which is risky and illegal.
Additionally, some shops stored medicines in unsuitable conditions, compromising their safety.
Operators of the affected shops pleaded to remain open while they corrected the issues, but their requests were denied.
“Some operators are simply lazy or reluctant to comply with licensing requirements,” said Tom Makumbi, Senior Inspector of Drugs. “We have warned them before, but they refused to take action.”
