Uganda is teaming up with Kenya to fight against the illegal selling of stolen drugs across state boundaries. The majority of drugs stolen in the area are anti-malaria drugs, given by international donors. One year since President Museveni set up the investigation, the Medicines and Health Service Delivery Monitoring Unit has seized $300,000 worth of drugs. Those drugs stolen in Uganda are then traded with those stolen in Kenya, according to investigators. From there, more drugs are sold in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, if a suspect is caught with stolen drugs in Uganda, the punishment is not very harsh. In fact, many can practically walk away. Most are made to pay penalty fees, but compared to the money they make off the drugs, the fees are paltry. So far 20 people have been convicted of selling stolen drugs since the Ugandan investigators pulled their resources with Kenya; however, most have now been released. It seems if they are truly to crack down on the selling of stolen drugs the punishments must get harsher. Otherwise, the culprits are put back on the street much too fast.
-abbey smith
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