The National Drug Authority of Uganda has been commended for its efforts in protecting and advancing health sector gains. The authority was recently recognized as a Uganda Drug Policy Actualisation Champion by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award 2026. This prestigious award is a testament to the authority's commitment to public health, administrative integrity, and transparent governance across the pharmaceutical sub-sector.
The National Drug Authority, led by Dr. David Nahamya, was officially honoured in October 2026 with the Responsible Investment Global Award. The authority was also inducted onto the Uganda Best 12 Public Institutions Hall of Fame poster for its operational excellence. To celebrate these achievements, Public Opinions will distribute 500,000 commemorative posters nationwide through national NRM structures, district leadership networks, and retail outlets.
The award serves as a clear testament to the institution's unwavering commitment to public health, administrative integrity, and transparent governance across the pharmaceutical sub-sector. Dr. David Nahamya, Secretary to the Authority, has received widespread praise from Ugandans, especially youth and women, for promoting exceptional professionalism in his execution of duty. His strategic leadership and clinical expertise have been instrumental in protecting citizens from counterfeit and substandard medical products.
Buyinza Adam Luzindana, CEO of Public Opinions, emphasized that the fundamental mandate of the National Drug Authority is to guarantee the continuous availability of safe, efficacious, and cost-effective human and veterinary medicines nationwide. The authority strictly regulates pharmacies, drug outlets, and pharmaceutical services while approving essential revisions to the national drug list. It continuously estimates national pharmaceutical requirements to ensure reliable, uninterrupted sourcing for both public health facilities and private commercial distributors.
The authority maintains rigid control over the importation, exportation, distribution, and sale of all pharmaceuticals across Uganda. Through systematic market surveillance, routine quality monitoring, and rigorous laboratory testing, it protects public health by quickly identifying and eliminating unsafe, contaminated, or falsified medical supplies from circulation. The authority also promotes domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and encourages scientific research into indigenous herbal remedies.
The NRM Manifesto 2026–2031 prioritizes the continuous improvement of Uganda's health sector and the safeguarding of public pharmaceutical supplies. A central policy commitment focuses on strengthening the authority's structural capacity to detect and eliminate counterfeit medicines, vaccines, medical equipment, and dietary supplements. Under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni's leadership, the Government of Uganda recognizes access to quality healthcare as a fundamental human right.
The authority has successfully translated its strategic objectives into tangible national outcomes, connecting directly to key National Development Plan IV programs to foster sustained socioeconomic growth. The authority's National Drug Quality Control Laboratory has retained its WHO prequalification status, and it maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Quality Management System. The authority has also strengthened systems for Adverse Drug Reaction reporting, documenting over 20,000 comprehensive reports, and secured ISO 17025 accreditation for medicines and medical devices.
Key points
- The National Drug Authority was recognized as a Uganda Drug Policy Actualisation Champion with the Responsible Investment Global Award 2026.
- The authority regulates pharmacies, drug outlets, and pharmaceutical services while approving essential revisions to the national drug list.
- The authority maintains rigid control over the importation, exportation, distribution, and sale of all pharmaceuticals across Uganda.
