Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has urged pharmaceutical companies participating in the Uganda Health Pharma Healthcare Exhibition to invest in local test kit manufacturing, citing the country’s frequent disease outbreaks and heavy reliance on imports.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, Aceng emphasized the urgent need for domestic production of diagnostic kits, especially as Uganda battles simultaneous outbreaks of Mpox and Ebola. She warned that relying on imported test kits poses significant risks, recalling how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, global pharmaceutical companies hoarded vaccines, prioritizing their home countries amid skyrocketing demand.
“Uganda constantly faces disease outbreaks, yet we continue to depend on imported test kits. This is risky and delays response efforts. We need local manufacturers to step in and produce essential diagnostics, such as Ebola test kits, monoclonal antibodies, and infection prevention and control materials, to enable swift intervention whenever outbreaks occur,” Aceng stated.
She further noted that GAVI, the Vaccines Alliance, has allocated funding to support local vaccine manufacturing across Africa, yet Ugandan companies have not seized the opportunity. In contrast, countries such as South Africa, Senegal, and Rwanda have already begun benefitting from these funds.
“Uganda offers tax exemptions and free premises for pharmaceutical manufacturers, yet no company has stepped forward to establish vaccine production. We need to take advantage of these opportunities,” she added.
Bridging the Gap Between Government and Industry
Grace Kiwanuka, Executive Director of the Uganda Healthcare Federation, acknowledged that while the government provides incentives, there is a disconnect between policymakers and manufacturers regarding the country’s pharmaceutical needs.
“Uganda’s healthcare sector has long been donor-dependent, making it less attractive to pharmaceutical investors. If the government increased its direct investment in healthcare, more manufacturers would be willing to meet the demands of the local market,” Kiwanuka explained.
She added that despite existing incentives, pharmaceutical companies face implementation challenges, requiring a candid dialogue with the government to harmonize policies and practical realities.
The Uganda Health Pharma Healthcare Exhibition attracted local and international manufacturers of medicines and medical equipment, as well as regulators and industry stakeholders, all seeking to explore solutions to Uganda’s growing healthcare needs.