Government Pledge Support to Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturers- Minister Evelyn Anite .

Reporter Kizindo Lule

Wakiso, Uganda

The State Minister for Finance and Investment, Hon. Evelyn Anite, paid a coutesy visit to a Ugandan-owned Medical Company Mavad Pharmaceuticals Ltd that produces of a variety of Healthcare Products. The visit was aimed at exploring possible interventions by Government to support and grow local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.

Speaking at the visit, Anite was excited with the work being done by Ugandans in such a critical sector like pharmaceuticals.

“It’s a very exciting day for me to meet Ugandan manufacturers making medicines and medical supplies locally. This shows that Ugandans can do it, and they are doing it well,” she said.

Mavad Pharmaceuticals Ltd is currently producing a wide range of Medical and Healthcare Products including Wound care items such as surgical spirits,Hydrogen Peroxide, and Povidone iodine

Medicines like Cough syrups,Gastric Antacids, and liniment for Sports injuries.

Mama Kits for Expectant Mothers, including Cotton, Gloves, and Blades.

Skincare products like calamine lotion for scabies and chickenpox.

Hotel Spirit and multi-purpose disinfectants.

Mavad Pharmaceuticals also produce
Laboratory and mouth care products,among others.

Dr. Aisha Bukenya, the Head of Pharmacy at Mavad, explained that their products are certified by the National Drug Authority (NDA) and othersby the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). This makes our Products Safe and ready for use by Ugandans and for International Users.

The Minister emphasized that buying local products helps support Jobs and the Economy. She praised Mavad for employing Ugandans and for being self-reliant.

“By buying Ugandan products, you’re not just getting quality medicine, you’re supporting Ugandans who work in these companies,” she added.

Currently, Uganda still imports most of its Medical Supplies, even simple items that can be made locally. Minister Anite, said this must change and echoed President Museveni’s desire to stop Uganda from becoming a supermarket for foreign goods and instead grow Local Industries that can produce them here.

Mavad Pharmaceuticals currently operates on land it bought privately and is not yet in an official industrial park, though the Minister promised to help move the company into a Government Industrial Park to get more support including
Free land,tax and non-tax incentives,better access to Utilities and Transport,support with Market Access through Agencies like National Medical Stores (NMS) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS)

The company had previously supplied NMS but paused production due to internal challenges. They are now back in full production and ready to work with government agencies again.

“We will reconnect them with National Medical Stores so that public hospitals can buy healthcare products from them again instead of importing,” Anite promised.

Dr. Bukenya explained that one of the major challenges they face is the high cost of importing raw materials. Uganda hasn’t yet started manufacturing its own pharmaceutical ingredients, so companies like Mavad must buy them from Kenya, which also imports them from countries like India and China. This drives up the cost of medicine due to high production costs.

However, with government support, she believes Uganda can begin producing its own materials in the future.

“If we can grow to the point of making our own inputs, medicines in Uganda would be much cheaper,” she said.

Mavad also has plans to introduce life-saving products not yet available in Uganda, such as emergency bleeding control items for Accident victims.

“We need more companies like Mavad. If we have 10 or 20 more, Uganda will become self-reliant in medicine. I am proud to stand with Ugandan investors making a real difference,” said the Minister.

Anite further renewed a commitment to the “Buy Uganda, Build Uganda” policy.