Dei Biopharma chief Dr Magoola listed among Africa’s 100 most influential people

What the report says

Ugandan scientist Dr Matthias Magoola, founder of Dei BioPharma, has been named among Africa’s 100 most influential people, according to Watchdog Uganda. The recognition was presented at a ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday, where organisers said he was honoured for his leadership in biotechnology and for efforts aimed at reducing Africa’s dependence on imported medicines.

The award comes as Dei BioPharma advances a major manufacturing project in Matugga, Wakiso District, north of Kampala. The company says it is developing a 250-acre campus that could eventually include about 30 factories for medicines and vaccines. Watchdog Uganda reported that the firm has already submitted dozens of product applications to Uganda’s National Drug Authority, with some approved for manufacture and others for sale.

The article said the awards were organised by the Accra-based Business Executive Media Group, together with the International Business Council Africa and the African Chamber for Trade. Officials described the annual event as a platform for recognising people shaping Africa’s economic, political and social direction. This year’s ceremony brought together honourees from several countries and was held at Kigali’s M Hotel.

The recognition also reflects wider efforts by African governments and institutions to expand local pharmaceutical production. In general, the continent has long relied heavily on imported medicines and vaccines, a vulnerability highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Watchdog Uganda also noted that Dei BioPharma recently gained registration under the Africa CDC’s pooled procurement mechanism, which could help the company compete for larger regional supply contracts.