KAMPALA – The Dei BioPharma manufacturing facility in Matugga, Wakiso District, has officially commenced production of pharmaceutical products, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s drive to develop its local biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.
According to the National Budget speech delivered on June 12, 2025, by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, the government has so far invested UGX 724 billion into the Dei BioPharma facility. The plant is now licensed by the National Drug Authority (NDA) and has started manufacturing a range of generic medicines, including tablets, capsules, powders, and non-antibiotic and antifungal drugs.
The facility, spearheaded by Dr. Matthias Magoola, is positioned as a strategic national investment under the government’s science, technology, and innovation agenda. It is expected to significantly reduce Uganda’s dependence on imported drugs, enhance local pharmaceutical capacity, and improve medicine affordability across the region.
“This investment aligns with our broader objective of creating a knowledge-based economy and adding value to scientific innovation,” Minister Kasaija said while presenting the 2025/26 national budget.
The budget also highlights parallel investments in vaccine development and diagnostic innovation, including the production of vaccines for Rift Valley Fever and Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, and rapid test kits developed by Makerere and Gulu universities.
As Uganda positions itself as a regional biomedical hub, the Dei BioPharma facility is expected to contribute to job creation, export earnings, and improved healthcare access for Ugandans and the wider East African community.
