High Court Sentences Woman to 3 Years in Prison for Dealing in Counterfeit Drugs

MBALE, UGANDA – The High Court in Mbale has today sentenced Eunice Lutiro, a 35-year-old woman from Butibwa Village, Namiswidwa District, to three years in prison  after she was found guilty of illegally dealing in counterfeit animal drugs. 

   
Lutiro was arrested three years ago by officials from the National Drug Authority (NDA for distributing unauthorized veterinary drugs  in Mbale City, Bugiri District, and other areas . During the operation, 14 boxes of assorted counterfeit veterinary drugs were recovered, including:  Dewormers, Antibiotics  Multivitamins.  
The case dragged on for three years, but the NDA  officials pursued it relentlessly until justice was served today  .  
Before sentencing, Lutiro’s lawyer, Mr. Joseph Wabula Massa , pleaded for leniency, arguing that she was a single mother of four children  (aged 10, 8, and 4) and the sole caregiver for her elderly parents (aged 80 and 70). He also told the court that Lutiro was remorseful and claimed she did not fully understand the implications of her actions.  

However, Judge Morris Oburu dismissed the plea, stating that Lutiro had wasted the court’s time by refusing to take a plea bargain when given the opportunity.  

 

"Upon that, I sentence her to three years in prison and a fine of UGX 1 million," declared Judge Oburu.  
 
The NDA spokesperson  Abiaz  Rwaiwiri   welcomed the verdict, though he noted that the punishment was "a bit fair" to the convict. He emphasized that the ruling sends a strong warning to those involved in the illegal trade of counterfeit animal drugs.  

"Such fake drugs have caused serious diseases in both animals and humans," the spokesperson said. "The public should report anyone dealing in such drugs to the authorities."  

Laboratory tests conducted by the NDA Pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratory  revealed that some of the seized drugs contained no active ingredients, making them substandard, falsified, and ineffective, Swine Cure (a multivitamin) was found to contain only ash powder, despite claims of containing vitamins and minerals.

Actraz (an acaricide), which claimed to have 12.5% amitraz, had only 6.5%, reducing its effectiveness and promoting drug resistance.   
The NDA warned that such counterfeit drugs pose serious risks, including:  Abortions in livestock , Skin cancers ,reduced production (e.g., repeat breeding in animals) Blindness  and drug resistance. 

Additionally, chemical residues from these fake drugs can enter the food chain, water sources, and environment, posing  long-term health risks to humans.  
  
The NDA also flagged fake vaccines, including a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine  falsely claimed to be from the National Veterinary Institute of Ethiopia. Investigations revealed that the Ethiopian government disowned the product , raising concerns about unverified sources.  

Some of these counterfeit drugs are cold-chain products (requiring controlled temperatures) but are stored improperly, further reducing their efficacy.  

The sentencing of Eunice Lutiro marks a significant step in Uganda’s fight against counterfeit veterinary drugs. The NDA remains committed to cracking down on illegal drug trade, protecting animal health, food safety, and public health.