MBARARA– Police in Mbarara City Central Division in partnership with the National Drug Authority [NDA] have intensified an operation aimed at catching criminals who have been disguising themselves as NDA staff to issue fake licenses and other medical documents to drug shops.
The intelligence-led operation in Mbarara tracked and arrested two suspects identified as Sunday Dawin and Bob Jones all from Bushenyi- Ishaka Municipality.
According to Samson Kasasira, Rwizi region police spokesperson, the arrested were the masterminds of printing and issuing forged academic documents and NDA licenses to nursing students to operate drug shops in the municipality.
Upon arrest, the two were found in possession of fake stamps, certificates of enrolment and seals of different nursing institutions in the country such as Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council.
Police is also holding a one Christbelle Akankwasa for being in possession of a forged NDA license operating a drug shop in Mbarara City.
When interrogated, Akankwasa confirmed that it was issued to her by Dawin and Jones who are now in police custody.
“I received all these documents from Sunday Dawin in the names of Akankwasa Chris. So me I don’t have any case to answer. Instead, you should deal with him,” Akankwasa said.
Meanwhile, police have cautioned members of the public to always deal with NDA on matters of certification of licenses and institutions certified and approved by the Ministry of Education and Sports to avoid fraudsters.
NDA’s Abiaz Rwamwiri condemned the act and warned the public that such operations will continue to deter masquerades from practicing the same.
Rwamwiri said the operations are in line with the authority’s routine post-market surveillance activities intended to protect the human and animal population from drugs and healthcare products that are substandard, counterfeit, and unauthorized, and to curb unlicensed drug outlets and unqualified persons handling drugs.
The suspects will under NDA Act, be charged with carrying out pharmacy business without a license and unlawful possession of medical documents.
He appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report any drug outlet that does not comply with operating standards.
“You need to report any drug outlet that does not comply with operating standards,” Rwamwiri emphasized.
“NDA extended its appreciation to the public, local authorities, Uganda police force, and the media, for their tremendous support during the completed enforcement operation,” he added.
https://thecooperator.news/nda-launches-campaign-against-hawkers-in-bunyoro-region/
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