Business 4 October 2026 Nile Post
Dei BioPharma Cassava Plant Set for Full Production After Power Restoration
Dei BioPharma's cassava processing facility in Kamuli District is on the brink of full-scale operations following a resolution to its long-standing power supply issues. The intervention by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development has paved the way for the plant to begin producing critical pharmaceutical inputs. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/375496/dei-biopharma-cassava-plant-nears-full-scale-production-after-power-fix
The Dei BioPharma cassava processing plant, located in Namasagali, Kamuli District, is nearing the commencement of full-scale production, thanks to a significant upgrade in its electricity supply. The plant had been largely idle since its commissioning late last year due to insufficient power to run its heavy machinery.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Monica Musenero, intervened after receiving a plea from Dei BioPharma’s founder and managing director, Dr. Matthias Magoola, in August. Dr. Musenero directed the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) to address the power deficit, leading to the current progress.
“We came here two weeks ago with my team from UEDCL to try and understand the issues with power connection to Dei BioPharma because it is a high-capacity plant,” Dr. Musenero stated during a recent inspection.
UEDCL’s North Eastern Region manager, Mr. Paul Sempiira, confirmed that a separate transformer has been installed at the Kamuli substation. This new setup isolates the plant from faults on other power lines, ensuring a more reliable and higher quality electricity supply.
“What we have done insulates Dei BioPharma from the other issues arising from the other line and also improves the quality of supply they get here,” Sempiira explained. The combined capacity of the two transformers now serving the area is approximately 7.5 megawatts, deemed sufficient for both the town and the plant.
The Namasagali plant is crucial for producing pharmaceutical-grade starch and industrial sugars, essential components for Dei BioPharma’s medicines and vaccines factory in Matugga, Wakiso District. Company officials emphasize that vaccine and drug production are contingent on these locally produced inputs.
With the power issue resolved, Dr. Magoola anticipates a surge in production and an increase in the price paid to local cassava farmers, as funds previously used for fuel will now be allocated to purchasing raw materials. This development is expected to boost the incomes of farming households in the region and potentially make Uganda the first African country to manufacture human vaccines and related products, saving the nation significant import costs.
Local leaders, like Namasagali LC3 chairperson Mr. Richard Mutuuya, are optimistic that reliable electricity will significantly improve cassava prices for farmers, encouraging increased cultivation. The project coordinator, Dr. Michael Mugabira, highlighted the potential for this venture to transition farming communities from subsistence to a cash-based economy, offering a viable alternative to sugarcane farming.