parliament 7 October 2026 Parliament of Uganda
MPs Demand Accountability for Shs723.4 Billion Invested in Dei BioPharma
Members of Parliament have raised concerns over the substantial Shs723.4 billion government investment in Dei BioPharma, demanding clearer accountability, performance targets, and essential utilities for the pharmaceutical manufacturing project. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4652/mps-want-safeguards-governments-shs7234-billion-investment-dei-biopharma
Members of Parliament on the Committee on Presidential Affairs are pushing for enhanced accountability measures surrounding the government’s significant investment of Shs723.4 billion in Dei BioPharma Limited. The committee’s review highlighted a lack of clear documentation regarding the government’s shareholding, expected returns, and specific deliverables from the private pharmaceutical manufacturing firm.
During a plenary session, Hon. Martin Mapenduzi presented the committee’s findings, emphasizing the need for transparent records to justify the public funds allocated. The report detailed government contributions totaling Shs70 billion in the 2023/2024 financial year, an additional Shs75 billion in December 2023, and a substantial Shs578.4 billion through a supplementary budget in the 2024/2025 financial year.
While the government reportedly holds a 9.4 percent stake in Dei BioPharma, with potential for increase, the committee noted that proof of this shareholding was not provided. The facility, located in Matugga, Wakiso District, is designed for producing a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including generic medicines and vaccines.
However, the company is currently operating below its full potential due to infrastructure and funding challenges. Although Dei BioPharma produced several generic medicines in the 2024/2025 financial year, crucial specialized production lines are still undergoing installation and validation. “The current level and range of production remain below the envisaged capacity of the overall investment. Unless this financial gap is urgently addressed, government risks having a strategically important national investment operating below capacity,” warned Mapenduzi.
The committee urged the Ministry of Finance to secure the necessary US$434 million to fully operationalize the facility, which has already created over 1,000 jobs and is projected to generate up to 20,000 more. Furthermore, the report calls for the prioritization of a reliable 100 MW electricity supply and adequate water infrastructure, as the facility requires between seven and 10 million liters of water daily.