BY JOACKIM KULE
The Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA) has revealed that it is in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu aimed at combining efforts towards eradicating cases of drug abuse among humans and animals in the entire Kingdom.
The Memorandum of Understanding will also help to put in place some measures of promoting and improving local medicines (herbs).
Mr. Fred Kabuye Kalungi, the Public Relations Officer for NDA made the revelation today evening while addressing the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Cabinet Ministers during a meeting in which they were being sensitized about the content, aims and objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding. The meeting was held at Shiloh Hotel in Kasese town.
Mr. Kabuye explained that they would bring the Kingdom on board so that it helps in sensitizing her subjects about the proper use of drugs and dangers of abusing substances when seeking medication for both humans and animals, something he said puts their lives at stake.
However, Kabuye who is also the Coordinator for Strategic Engagement at the Mbarara Regional Office categorically put it clear that the real signing of the Memorandum of Understanding would take place after a period of three months after harmonizing their proposals with those from the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Ministers.
Dr. Julius Mayengo, the Manager for Pharmacovigilance at the National Drug Authority implored the Rwenzururu Kingdom leaders to sensitize the subjects the recommendable ways of keeping medicines as prescribed by the manufacturers in a bid to reduce cases of diseases that result from the poor storage of drugs.
The Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Minister of Health, Dr. Yusuf Baseke noted that the content delivered by NDA was similar with what the cultural institution was also intending to do in her strategic plan.
According to him, once the partnership is made, it would pave way for the creation of awareness about the dangers of misusing drugs and local herbs found within the communities.
Rt. Hon. Benson Kule Baritazale, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu was happy that the partnership would help to control cases of counterfeiting drugs and selling those that are expired to the population.
He pledged on behalf of the Kingdom to disseminate the information from the grass root levels using all the Kingdom’s structures including Chieftains, Clan leaders, Ridge leaders and the Cabinet Ministers themselves.
ENDS