Kampala, Uganda — Authorities have arrested a suspect for selling illegal hypertension drugs using Artificial Intelligence-generated videos that impersonated doctors from the Uganda Heart Institute. Nicholas Ogenga was apprehended in Nakasero, Kampala, after a complaint by cardiologist Dr. Emmy Okello, who discovered that his video had been manipulated to market a product called “HyperGuard.”
The National Drug Authority (NDA) confirmed that HyperGuard is counterfeit, unapproved for use in Uganda, and comes with suspicious packaging and no patient information. During a raid on the suspect’s outlet, officials seized over 500 bottles of HyperGuard, along with another illegal product marketed as a sexual booster, Long Jack XXXL.
Medical experts warn that hypertension has no definitive cure. Dr. John Omagino, Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, emphasized that untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. He urged patients to rely on medically approved treatments, including lifestyle adjustments, proper diet, exercise, and regular check-ups, rather than unverified remedies.
With an estimated one in four Ugandan adults affected by hypertension, authorities are urging the public to exercise caution and report any suspicious drugs. NDA is conducting laboratory tests on HyperGuard to determine its contents, while the police continue to investigate the distribution network behind the illegal sales.
The incident highlights the growing risks posed by counterfeit drugs and the misuse of AI technology in health scams, underscoring the need for vigilance among both patients and healthcare professionals.