Renowned Ugandan businessman Edwin Balumya, Director of Dynapharm Africa has gone public with a chilling confession about the dangers of Pethidine, a powerful opioid painkiller that he says nearly cost him his life.
In a widely circulated video, Balumya—a well-known figure in Kampala’s business circles—reveals that he has collapsed more than nine times due to his use of the drug.
He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for over a week, a period he describes as a near-death experience that finally opened his eyes to the deadly consequences of the substance.
“Pethidine is not just a painkiller—it’s a silent killer,” Balumya warns in the video. “People are using it to manage stress, pain, even depression, but the truth is, it is highly addictive, mentally destabilizing, and can kill if help doesn’t come in time.”
According to Balumya, hospitals in Uganda are profiting massively from the sale of Pethidine, despite the mounting evidence of its severe side effects and addictive potential. “This drug hits harder,” he says. “Once a patient goes beyond four injections, there is usually no turning back.”
In a startling revelation, Balumya claims that at least five prominent individuals in Kampala have lost their lives due to Pethidine addiction, although he did not name them directly. He stressed that the growing misuse of the drug is becoming a hidden public health crisis in Uganda.
Having recovered from his own addiction, Balumya has now committed himself to helping others break free from the grip of Pethidine. “I survived, but many won’t if we stay silent. I am ready to walk with anyone battling this addiction.”
Pethidine (also known as Meperidine) is a synthetic opioid that was once widely prescribed for acute pain but is now increasingly discouraged in many parts of the world due to its toxic metabolite (normeperidine), which can lead to seizures and psychological disturbances, especially in cases of prolonged use or overdose.
Medical professionals are now urging caution, and many have called for stricter regulations or even a complete phase-out of the drug in favor of safer alternatives.
Balumya’s candid testimony has sparked national conversation about prescription drug abuse, the ethics of pharmaceutical marketing, and the need for more robust mental health support for patients facing addiction.
