LARGE quantities of drugs stolen from public health units are sneaked into Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Yoweri Museveni has disclosed.

The President said new research showed that Government drugs are sold in private shops, while big consignments are sent to the turbulent neighbouring countries for fat sums of money.

He said the racket of thieves, that involves unscrupulous health workers and businessmen, had been taking advantage of the instability in neighbouring countries to do business in medicines meant for Ugandans.

Addressing residents of Kirerema trading centre, Namutumba district in Busoga, Museveni, implored the wanainchi to arrest and take to the Police, or report to the nearest authorities, any person found selling Government drugs. The President is currently touring Busoga region to promote the Prosperity-for-All programme.

“Since you know them, I am giving you authority to arrest and report those involved, so that we deal with them,” he said
Museveni also made an impromptu visit to Nsinze health centre IV in Nsinze sub-county to assess its drug stocks.
Patients at the centre complained that they were not getting adequate treatment due to shortage of medicines.
He cautioned persons who have been stealing drugs to desist from the practice or the long arm of the law would get them.

“A bull that wants to die licks an axe,” he quoted an old-time precautionary adage.

Later, the President visited Sulaiman Muyinda, a commercial farmer in Kirerema III village in Bulange sub-county.

Muyinda grows three acres of pineapples, mangoes, groundnuts and oranges.

The President commended Muyinda for his efforts and promised to get him a pick-up truck to ease his transport.
He also donated sh10m to the 30-member Bukadde Magezi farmers’ group to be used as a revolving fund (New Vision).