The National Drug Authority (NDA) has concluded a week-long compliance enforcement operation targeting illegal drug outlets in the Northern Region, covering Lira city, Amulatar, Oyam and Lira districts.
During the operation, over 65 drug outlets were closed due to non-compliance, 150 boxes of assorted medicines worth over UGX 37,000,000 million were impounded.
During this operation, Lakot Florence who was found carrying on the business of a pharmacist without a licence was arrested and appeared before Lira Chief Magistrates Court where she pleaded not guilty and was remanded.
Bua Godfrey and Aporu Joel are on the run are wanted for operating illegal drug stores in unsuitable premises without a licence and and they once arrested they will prosecuted.
The drug outlets that were closed were found operating in unauthorized, substandard, and unlicensed premises, employing unqualified personnel to handle and dispense medicines. These practices lead to poor quality drugs, irrational drug use, treatment failure and antimicrobial resistance among others.
This operation is in line with NDA’s mandate to protect and promote public health through effective regulation of human and animal medicines, as well as healthcare products. NDA advises operators of outlets whose drugs were impounded to visit our Northern regional office in Lira City for compliance guidance.
NDA directs all unlicensed premises or operators to cease operations immediately until all licensing requirements are fulfilled. We also remind all operators of drug shops and pharmacies that the 2026 licensing cycle for both renewals and new licenses has started. The public is urged to buy drugs only from licensed pharmac
