Uganda Development Bank (UDB) has provided critical funding to support the production of Uganda’s first locally manufactured Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits for malaria.
The maiden batch of RDT kits, manufactured by Microhaem Scientifics, was flagged off to the National Medical Stores (NMS) in a ceremony attended by top government officials and health sector stakeholders.
UDB’s financial support enabled Microhaem Scientifics to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kampala, creating new job opportunities and boosting local capacity for diagnostic test production.
“We are proud to have supported this innovative project, which demonstrates Uganda’s potential for self-sufficiency in the health sector,” said Patricia Ojangole, Managing Director of UDB. “Our investment is expected to yield long-term benefits for the country, including reduced import bills and improved healthcare outcomes.”
President Yoweri Museveni, who commissioned the plant in Kampala on November 28th, 2023, lauded young Ugandan scientists for breaking free from what he termed the “slavery of dependency.”
“I want to salute you young people for waking up and getting out of the slavery of dependency,” Museveni said. “The market is part of the business. Anyone who manufactures but cannot sell is not in business. In the next 30 years, Africa’s population will be 2.5 billion.”
Dr. Cedric Akwesigye, Managing Director of Microhaem Scientifics, noted that the new diagnostic tests are a complete package and a replica of a laboratory, eliminating the need for healthcare providers to buy different testing accessories.
“The test kits are affordable and will enable people to test themselves conveniently without requiring a healthcare provider,” Dr. Akwesigye said.
Each kit will cost less than $1, significantly lower than imported alternatives that retail for around $1.5 and above.
The development is expected to create new job opportunities in the region and reduce Uganda’s annual diagnostic budget, currently estimated at $200 million.
Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, expressed concerns about counterfeit kits infiltrating the market, warning that inaccurate results could endanger lives.
“There are fake kits that wrongly diagnose people, putting lives at risk. We must ensure only high-quality, verified diagnostic tools are available,” Dr. Kyabayinze cautioned.
Dr. David Nahamya, the Executive Director of the National Drug Authority (NDA), hailed the project as a historic achievement for Uganda and the region.
“This is Uganda’s first facility of its kind, and in the region,” Dr. Nahamya said. “The WHO has commended the quality of our kits. This is the first plant in East Africa to locally manufacture diagnostic kits, and it meets all quality standards both locally and internationally.”
