Politics 3 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Scientists Urge Museveni to Reject NDHPA Bill Over Pharma Sector Concerns
Scientists from two Ugandan professional bodies have petitioned President Museveni to withhold assent to the National Drug and Health Products Authority Bill 2025, citing provisions that could hinder the growth of local pharmaceutical manufacturing. They demand amendments to allow broader professional oversight in drug production supervision. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/scientists-petition-museveni-to-reject-drugs-authority-bill-5412964
Scientists from the National Union of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacy Workers’ Uganda (NUPAPWU) and the Association for Pharmaceutical Scientists of Uganda (APSU) have jointly petitioned President Museveni to reject the National Drug and Health Products Authority (NDHPA) Bill 2025.
The petition, dated March 30, highlights Clause 31 of the bill passed by Parliament on March 26, which restricts supervision of drug and health product manufacturing to pharmacists only. Critics argue this excludes other qualified experts like pharmaceutical scientists, industrial chemists, and microbiologists.
The professionals propose replacing it with a ‘Qualified Person (QP)’ category, open to those with relevant scientific training and experience. They believe this would promote collaboration, innovation, and industrial growth in Uganda’s pharma sector.
NUPAPWU General Secretary Baker Agaba warned that the current clause could sideline specialized scientists, cripple local manufacturing capacity, and ignore stakeholder input from consultations.
APSU Vice President Richard Agaba referenced WHO Technical Report Series 986, emphasizing that supervisors should have appropriate scientific education and experience per national laws. The groups had raised these issues with the parliamentary health committee last October, advocating for graduates in pharmacy, sciences, chemistry, and related fields.
Without amendments, they fear the bill will undermine Uganda’s goal of a competitive pharmaceutical industry. They urge the President to return it to Parliament for revisions.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)