Uganda’s fast growing pharmaceutical firm, Mavid Pharmaceuticals is set to benefit from government tax incentives to enable it to scale up its production capacity.
The State Minister for Finance in charge of Investment, Evelyn Anite, revealed this development during a visit to Mavid Pharmaceuticals premises this week.
Mavad medical company produce wide range of healthcare products such as surgical spirits, hydrogen peroxide, and povidone iodine; cough syrups, gastric antacids, and liniment; mama kits for expectant mothers; skincare products like calamine lotion; disinfectants, and oral care items.
Anite noted that this company deserves incentives including free land, tax waivers, reliable utilities, transport links, and direct access to large markets through the National Medical Stores (NMS) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS).
“Mavid deserves to be in an industrial park where it can get full government support. We will reconnect them with National Medical Stores so that public hospitals can buy healthcare products from them again instead of importing,” Anite said.
She called on Uganda consumers to embrace locally produced medicines as part of the country’s drive to cut dependence on imports and strengthen homegrown pharmaceutical industries.
Anite underscored the need for the public to support local innovators through the “Buy Uganda, Build Uganda” (BUBU) policy.
“By buying Ugandan products, you’re not just getting quality medicine, you’re supporting Ugandans who work in these companies,” she said.
Dr. Aisha Bukenya, the company’s Head of Pharmacy, said while Mavid is back in full production after overcoming earlier challenges, costs remain high because raw materials have to be imported from Kenya, India, and China.
“If we can grow to the point of making our own inputs, medicines in Uganda would be much cheaper,” she explained.
The minister further highlighted President Museveni’s call to end Uganda’s overreliance on foreign goods, insisting that local firms like Mavid are proof that Ugandans can successfully supply critical needs such as medicines and medical supplies.
“It’s a very exciting day for me to meet Ugandan manufacturers making medicines and medical supplies locally. This shows that Ugandans can do it, and they are doing it well,” she said.
“We need more companies like Mavid. If we have 10 or 20 more, Uganda will become self-reliant in medicine. I am proud to stand with Ugandan investors making a real difference,” she added.
With plans to introduce new life-saving products such as emergency bleeding control kits for accident victims, Mavid is positioning itself as a strategic player in Uganda’s healthcare sector.