COSASE Faults NMS Over Shs180bn Drug Delivery Delays, Shs8bn Expiry Losses

What the report says

Nile Post reported that Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has challenged Uganda’s National Medical Stores (NMS) over delays in supplying medicines valued at Shs180 billion to health facilities. The matter came up during a Thursday appearance by NMS officials before the committee to account for funds received in the 2024/25 financial year.

According to the report, MPs said late deliveries had affected access to essential medicines across the country and raised concern that patients may have suffered as a result. NMS General Manager Moses Kamabale attributed the delays to limited transport capacity, saying the agency did not have enough vehicles to distribute supplies within the expected timelines.

The committee also questioned the expiry of medicines worth Shs8 billion in NMS warehouses and a further Shs3.6 billion reportedly spent on destroying the expired stock. COSASE leaders Muwadda Nkunyingi and George Musisi linked the losses to weak planning, stock control and distribution systems, especially in a context where public health facilities regularly report drug shortages.

Nile Post further reported that MPs asked NMS to explain staff dismissals that have led to labour-related cases, including possible financial exposure for government. Kamabale said management would review storage and distribution systems and submit a plan to address the concerns. COSASE said it would track implementation and require timelines for improving medicine delivery and reducing wastage.