Published on 10/10/2024
Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, announced that Dei Bio Pharma will start exporting its drugs outside uganda by the end of this year.
The company, which received over UGX 723 billion in taxpayer money, has secured approvals from the National Drug Authority.
Musenero shared this update during her appearance before Parliament’s Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation on October 8, 2024. She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging local pharmaceutical production to boost Uganda’s economy and healthcare sector.
“We have partnered with Dei Bio Pharma, and the government has taken equity shares in the company. This is the largest pharmaceutical facility on the African continent, and we expect to start shipping medicines before the year ends, as we have received clearance from the National Drug Authority,” Musenero explained.
This development comes amid recent calls from the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, for the government to disclose the details of its agreement with Dei Bio Pharma. This request was prompted by the company’s announcement that it plans to repay the UGX 723 billion it received from taxpayers, despite previous government denials regarding the existence of such an agreement.
During the Committee meeting, Musenero also revealed that Uganda has earned over UGX 7.3 billion from the sale of diagnostic kits to Mulago National Referral Hospital and abroad, stemming from research initiated during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
“When you visit Mulago Hospital today, the diagnostic kit used for testing is produced by our scientists. We have begun making a significant impact on the continent by manufacturing proficiency panels for various countries, which has generated approximately US$2 million (UGX 7.3) in revenue since we started this work in 2020/21,” Musenero stated.
The Minister attributed this success to what she termed “brutal integrity,” emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to eradicating corruption to ensure the quality of products released into the market.
“We have learned from nations that have embraced science: any hint of corruption in Science, Technology, and Innovation compromises product quality. Therefore, since our aim is to sell high-quality products, we have implemented a policy of brutal integrity,” she explained.
Musenero also defended her Space project, which has faced criticism as a waste of resources, describing it as a strategic initiative for Uganda’s future. “Many people have asked me why I am investing time in space exploration when Uganda has pressing issues on the ground. This is a strategic intervention that also fosters a substantial economy,” she asserted.
Furthermore, the Minister called for increased investment in Artificial Intelligence to safeguard Uganda against sudden disruptions from developed nations. She warned that Ugandans should prepare for increased expenses related to software, including those that have been previously free, such as WhatsApp.
“We are increasingly dependent on Artificial Intelligence, yet we often only discuss digital literacy. There is a significant economy behind it. I predict that each of you will spend at least US$1,000 on various software subscriptions. The era of purchasing Microsoft applications outright is over; now, subscriptions will be necessary for services like Microsoft 365,” she cautioned.
Musenero added, “These platforms can decide to cut us off at any time, affecting our banking systems and even national carriers like Uganda Airlines. This dependency creates vulnerabilities that we must address.”
Finally, Minister Musenero informed the Committee of Uganda’s plans to take a leading role in combating monkeypox, which is affecting several neighboring countries, through research and innovation initiatives.