A delegation of Speakers and Presiding Officers from the Commonwealth visited CIPLA Quality Chemicals Industries Ltd (CIPLA QCIL) in Luzira, a suburb of Kampala, expressing admiration for the factory’s capacity to produce essential medicines. The CIPLA QCIL plant, accredited by the World Health Organisation, is one of four pharmaceutical manufacturers in Africa producing anti-retroviral drugs, anti-malarial drugs, and other vital medications.
Led by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, the delegation toured the facility on January 5, 2024, commending the Ugandan government for establishing a factory addressing African healthcare needs. Rt Hon. Ackson Tulia, Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, described the visit as an eye-opener, emphasizing the potential for African nations to solve their health challenges with homegrown solutions.
Tulia expressed pride in Uganda’s achievements and anticipated that her counterparts would share the success story of CIPLA Quality Chemicals with other African nations. However, she noted a concern about the limited distribution of medicines to only 15 countries within Africa and urged the Ugandan government to consider the Western market.
“I believe that Africa can also offer solutions to the rest of the world; we would like to see you cross the borders,” Tulia remarked.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa highlighted the influential role the visiting Speakers could play in encouraging their countries to import essential medicines from Uganda, such as anti-retroviral drugs, anti-malarial drugs, and medications for diabetes, all produced at CIPLA QCIL. He urged them to advocate for procuring these medicines locally rather than relying on European or Asian sources.
Tayebwa acknowledged that some Speakers revealed that companies their governments currently source medicines from are not comparable to CIPLA QCIL in terms of capacity. He lauded CIPLA QCIL as a national and continental pride, emphasizing its pivotal role in supporting African countries during the COVID-19 pandemic when other continents faced challenges in exporting to Africa.
Emmanuel Katongole, Chairman for CIPLA QCIL, expressed gratitude to Parliament for selecting the plant for the Speakers’ visit. He affirmed the company’s readiness to expand its export market, marking CIPLA QCIL as a beacon of African solutions in the pharmaceutical industry.