PANIC AT NDA as IGG Zeroes in On Big Shots in Massive Corruption Probe, Arrests Loom
A storm of fear, suspicion and high-stakes intrigue has engulfed the National Drug Authority after the Inspector General of Government launched a sweeping investigation into what insiders are describing as a deep-rooted web of corruption, fictitious deals and secret cash-sharing schemes that have allegedly flourished unchecked for years, RedPepper has learnt.
What began as hushed whispers in corridors has now exploded into a full-blown crisis, sending shockwaves through one of Uganda’s most critical regulatory bodies and leaving both senior officials and junior staff gripped by fear of what comes next.
Sources close to the unfolding drama revealed to RedPepper that investigators from the IGG’s office have already pitched camp at NDA premises, combing through documents, interrogating staff and hunting for evidence that could expose a sprawling network of fraudulent activities.
At the centre of the probe are claims that top officials have been siphoning money through ghost projects—non-existent activities cooked up on paper to justify hefty payments that ultimately end up in private pockets.
“This is not small money,” a source familiar with the investigation disclosed in hushed tones. “We are talking about systematic looting disguised as official work. The kind of thing that has been normalized over time. But now, the net is tightening.”
Inside the Authority, tension is said to be at boiling point. Staff who once walked the corridors with confidence are now second-guessing every move, every signature, every past decision. Emergency meetings have reportedly been convened throughout the week, with top management scrambling to find a way out of the tightening noose. But insiders say the mood in these meetings is far from optimistic.
“There is panic,” another insider revealed. “Real panic. People are scared. Files are being revisited, explanations rehearsed, and alliances quietly tested. Everyone is wondering who will be the first to fall.”
The fear is not unfounded. The current Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala has reportedly adopted a no-nonsense approach to corruption, with a sharp focus on prosecutions rather than mere warnings or administrative slap-ons. Those found culpable, sources insist, should brace themselves not just for dismissal but for criminal charges that could see them behind bars.
“This IGG is not here to play,” a source emphasized. “If you are involved, you will answer for it. No sweeping under the carpet this time.”
The unfolding saga has also drawn the attention of President Yoweri Museveni, who has repeatedly expressed frustration over persistent corruption in public institutions.
According to sources, the President is particularly keen on seeing accountability in agencies that directly affect the health and safety of Ugandans, making the NDA probe even more significant.
“State House is watching closely,” a source hinted. “There is a lot of interest in ensuring this doesn’t end like the usual cases where things just fade away.”
At the heart of the storm is the Executive Secretary of the Authority, David Nahamya, who has been in charge since 2020. His tenure, once seen as a period of promise, is now being painted by critics within the pharmaceutical sector as a time when things began to spiral out of control.
Industry players allege that under his leadership, systems weakened, accountability declined and questionable dealings became more frequent.
“Ever since he came in, things have gone wrong,” one stakeholder claimed bluntly. “There has been a steady decline in transparency. People started noticing things were not adding up.”
As if the investigation was not enough pressure, Nahamya is also reportedly locked in a bitter power struggle with the Authority’s board of directors. Sources say the board, chaired by Dr Medard Bitekyerezo, has grown increasingly dissatisfied with his leadership and is now pushing for his exit as his contract nears its end.
“The board has had enough,” a source close to the developments revealed. “They believe it’s time for new leadership. The relationship between them and Nahamya has completely broken down.”
But Nahamya, according to insiders, is not going down without a fight. It is alleged that he has already begun lobbying powerful figures in a bid to secure an extension or maintain his grip on the position despite the mounting opposition.
“He is determined to stay,” a source said. “He is reaching out to all the right people, trying to survive this storm.
But with the IGG investigation now in full swing, things have become extremely complicated.”
The tension between Nahamya and the board has reportedly escalated into open clashes, further destabilizing an institution already under intense scrutiny. Meetings have become battlegrounds, with sharp disagreements and accusations flying behind closed doors.
“It’s chaos,” an insider described. “You have a leadership wrangle on one side and a corruption probe on the other. The place is on fire.”
Meanwhile, investigators continue to dig deeper, piecing together what could become one of the most explosive corruption cases in recent times. The possibility of arrests looms large, with sources suggesting that once sufficient evidence is gathered, action will be swift and decisive.
“No one should feel safe,” a source warned. “If you are implicated, your time will come.”
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