Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA) has closed more than 100 illegal drug outlets and impounded medicines worth over sh62m during a week-long enforcement operation across the Teso sub-region.
For distributors and wholesalers supplying the region, the enforcement focus was on premises and personnel. NDA said some outlets were operating from unauthorised and substandard premises, while others were unlicensed or employing unqualified personnel to handle and dispense medicines. The authority has directed all unlicensed outlets and operators to cease operations until they meet licensing conditions, and noted that the 2027 licensing cycle has already opened for both renewals and new applications — so operators facing closure have an immediate route to compliance.
The operation covered Amuria, Kaberamaido, Serere, Kumi and Soroti districts in north-eastern Uganda, and impounded 215 boxes of assorted medicines from outlets found operating contrary to regulatory requirements, according to a statement issued on 5 September 2026.
NDA said such practices pose serious public health risks including irrational use of medicines, treatment failure and the development of antimicrobial resistance, and that the operation falls under its mandate to regulate human and veterinary medicines and other healthcare products. Operators whose medicines were impounded were advised to visit the NDA North Eastern regional office in Soroti city for guidance on meeting regulatory requirements.
