National Medical Stores (NMS) has today led a multi-agency launch of a nationwide radio campaign against theft of government medicines while urging @Parliament_Ug to tighten fines to deter the theft of government-procured medicines. Speaking at the launch of the month-long campaign, the NMS General Manager, Mr. Moses Kamabare, said: “Currently, when someone steals medicines worth UGX 200 million, they can walk away with a fine of about UGX 5 million. That is far too lenient. We recommend that whoever is found culpable pays three times the value of the commodities they are caught with. If someone is caught with goods worth UGX 1 billion, they should pay UGX 3 billion. That is how we deter offenders.” The joint press conference was attended by the Director General Health Services, Dr Charles Olaro, ED @HMUStateHouse  Dr Warren Naamara, and ACP Rusoke Kituuma, the @PoliceUg spokesperson and other officials from NMS.

The awareness campaign will run nationwide on radios and across online platforms to reach both rural and urban communities. It reinforces accountability, prevention, and the principle that government medicines-fully paid for with taxpayers’ money-must never be sold under any circumstances. Kamabare emphasized that drug theft is not only an economic crime but a direct threat to human life: “Medicines are not just government assets that cost money, when stolen, they cost lives. No Ugandan should die because the drugs meant to save them were taken away.” Mr Kamabare reaffirmed NMS’ transparency in distribution and citizen oversight: “Every truck that leaves NMS is loaded with life-saving supplies and is fitted with GPS trackers. From here, we at NMS are able to monitor trucks moving. Furthermore, we send dispatch and delivery alerts so stakeholders can monitor and verify deliveries in real time. Each consignment is accompanied with stamped and signed delivery notes..any citizen or official can verify that medicines reached their facility in good order.”