The National Drug Authority (NDA) has conducted an intelligence-led enforcement operation targeting the smuggling of poultry vaccines at f Uzima Chicken Factory and Quantum Foods Uganda in Kanyanya, (Kampala) and Seeta (Mukono).
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This operation led to the recovery of large quantities of smuggled poultry vaccines and related cold-chain equipment from Uzima Chicken Factory and Quantum Foods Uganda. During the operation more than 10 liquid nitrogen tanks used to store vaccines requiring extremely low temperatures, with multiple smuggled poultry vaccine consignments worth over UGX 100,000,000 were impounded.
The suspects, Respect Khoza – Manager Operations Quantum Foods Uganda, Mulygete Anteneh – Production Manager and Kobusingye Winie – Veterinary Officer Uzima Chicken Factory were taken into custody and are currently being held at Wandegeya Police station for further investigation.
All impounded vaccines and equipment are being preserved as exhibits and will undergo analytical product assessment to establish their origin, storage conditions and their suitability for use. The NDA cautions that smuggled or improperly stored vaccines pose serious risks to animal health and public safety, including vaccine failure and spread of disease.
This enforcement action aligns with NDA’s mandate to protect and promote public health through effective regulation of human and animal medicines, as well as healthcare products. Operators involved in the distribution or storage of veterinary vaccines are reminded to comply with licensing, importation, and cold-chain requirements.
NDA urged members of the public to purchase drugs and veterinary medicines only from licensed pharmacies\ drug shops and outlets and to report any information on the illegal trade or distribution of veterinary medicines, or any other suspected drug-related crimes.
