By KT Reporter
Over the years, the shortage of drugs in government health facilities has remained a major challenge, straining quality health service delivery to the citizenry, despite considerable annual budgetary allocations to the health sector. In the Financial Year 2025/26, the government has allocated UGX 5.8 trillion to the health sector, up from UGX 2.95 trillion, with a focus on strengthening public health systems.
A portion of this funding is earmarked for the procurement of essential medicines aimed at reducing the rising disease burden. However, recurring drug shortages persist across the country, with major causes attributed to theft by health workers. This is even though drugs are clearly labeled: “Property of Uganda Government. NOT for SALE.”
Arua Regional Referral Hospital—which serves patients from West Nile, DR Congo, and South Sudan—continues to experience increasing pressure due to low budget allocations and frequent drug stock-outs.
In the 2025/26 fiscal year, the hospital is projected to receive UGX 16.933 billion under a broader medium-term expenditure plan.
Yet, the facility has struggled with a tainted reputation in recent years due to theft of critical medications, particularly malaria, HIV/AIDS, and antibiotic drugs. Additionally, a Class One ambulance previously went missing, further denting public confidence. Security investigation reports have pointed to internal collusion.
In some instances, female patients or their attendants reportedly strapped essential drugs to their backs and disguised them as babies. In other cases, ambulance drivers were suspected of sneaking drugs out of the hospital, avoiding checks at the gate. In an exclusive interview with URN, Dr. Alex Andema, the Director of Arua Regional Referral Hospital, revealed that the introduction of an electronic medical record system has significantly curbed drug theft.
Dr. Andema acknowledged that drug theft had been a problem before he assumed office, but emphasized that the electronic system now tracks drug movement. “No drugs can disappear without being cleared by the electronic system,” he noted. Hospital sources disclosed that before the electronic medical record system was adopted, some drivers and group employees lost their jobs after reportedly refusing to transport drug consignments ordered by their senior colleagues.
Meanwhile, Ben Andama, the Senior Hospital Administrator, said that a renewed focus on ethics has motivated staff to act with integrity. He explained that “adoption of continuous sensitization on passion to serve humanity and needy people has also become a driving force for all the health workers at the hospital to maintain ethics and integrity at all times.”
In addition to the electronic system, the hospital has installed Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at strategic points to enhance surveillance and deter drug theft. With these systems in place, Arua Regional Referral Hospital has recorded a significant reduction in drug pilferage. However, the facility now faces a new challenge—a shortage of personnel—as the number of people seeking health services continues to surge-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
