President Museveni has endorsed the establishment of the HUVET Bio-Science Park in Mpigi District, a biotechnology project aimed at strengthening Uganda’s vaccine manufacturing capacity and reducing reliance on imported vaccines and biological products.
Speaking during a meeting with a team of engineers and doctors led by investor and engineer Hashem Azimi at State House Entebbe on July 29, Mr Museveni described the project as a milestone in Uganda’s quest for vaccine self-sufficiency and regional leadership in biotechnology.
“I am very happy to receive this wonderful group of investors from Iran. I welcome you, and I will support you,” Mr Museveni said.
The proposed HUVET Bio-Science Park will focus on local vaccine production, veterinary biotechnology and scientific innovation. Government says the facility will strengthen Uganda’s capacity to respond to animal disease outbreaks while enhancing food security and supporting research.
The project is being spearheaded by Mr Azimi, who said the idea originated from a discussion with President Museveni during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit in Kampala in 2008.
According to Mr Azimi, President Museveni challenged him at the time to move beyond trading and invest in manufacturing.
“Today, 18 years later, I stand before you to fulfil that promise. This project is not simply the construction of another factory. It is the realisation of a vision that has matured through years of experience, investment, scientific collaboration and a deep belief in Uganda’s potential,” he said.
Mr Azimi said his years of operating in Uganda exposed him to the heavy economic losses caused by livestock diseases and the country’s continued dependence on imported vaccines.
He said the planned bio-science park would become East Africa’s first fully integrated biotechnology hub dedicated to animal health, food security, epidemic preparedness, biotechnology research and high-value exports.
“Our vision goes far beyond manufacturing vaccines. We seek to establish East Africa’s first fully integrated biotechnology hub dedicated to animal health, food security, epidemic preparedness, biotechnology research and high-value exports,” he said.
He added that the facility is intended to position Uganda as a regional centre of excellence in veterinary biotechnology, serving both the domestic market and the wider African continent.
Mr Azimi also revealed that land for the project has already been secured in Mpigi District, clearing the way for implementation.
The development comes as Uganda accelerates efforts to expand local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing following lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, when many African countries struggled to access vaccines because of global supply chain disruptions.
According to the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Africa still imports more than 95 percent of the vaccines used across the continent, underscoring the need to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity.
The meeting was attended by the State Minister for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama, as well as engineers and medical professionals involved in the proposed project.