Uganda: Health worker remanded over theft of government drugs

The Chief Magistrate's court in Isingiro has remanded a 48-year-old health worker, John Baptist Muzahura, for theft of government drugs.

Muzahura, a clinician at Nyamuyanja Health Center IV, is accused of stealing 18 boxes of assorted medicine on November 15, 2025.

"You are charged with two counts, theft contrary to section 237(1) and 204 of the Penal Code Act. You, Mutazindwa John Baptist, on November 15, 2025, at Nyamuyanja Health, stole 18 boxes of assorted medicine bearing marks 'Applied stores under control of Ministry of Health, Government of Uganda for public use only, not for sale'," the prosecution told the court.

Muzahura denied the charges and prayed for bail, but Chief Magistrate Patrick Bamuhiga remanded him to Isingiro government prisons until December 30, 2025. "You are remanded up to December 30, 2025, for bail application and hearing, bring four sureties, and they should be responsible people," Bamuhiga ruled.

District Health Officer Dr Edson Tumusherure described the incident as isolated but warned other health workers. "We are happy with this arrest because, since I came here, we have not had any case of that nature. Good enough, the one who attempted was arrested. This will serve as a warning to others who had plans to get involved in this criminality," he said.

National Drug Authority (NDA) Spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri said they are prepared to see the case handled expeditiously. "We have to see such people prosecuted and given deterrent sentences. Half of the drugs the government sends to its health facilities end up getting stolen. We have to break this drug theft racket and save innocent Ugandans from dying, yet they pay taxes even for the salaries of these health workers," Rwamwiri said.

Rwamwiri added that theft of government drugs remains a syndicated

crime between health workers and members of the public in the country.