Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pathogen Economy Biosciences Park located at NEC T6 Industrial and Business Park in Nakasongola District.

On February 27, 2025, marked a historic day for Uganda as Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pathogen Economy Biosciences Park located at NEC T6 Industrial and Business Park in Nakasongola District, this innovative park is poised to revolutionize Uganda’s pharmaceutical industry.

The Premier emphasized that this park is a significant milestone in Uganda’s journey towards industrialization, self-reliance, and scientific excellence. Currently, Uganda relies heavily on imported pharmaceuticals, accounting for 99% of the country’s medical supplies at an annual cost of $521 million. The Pathogen Economy Biosciences Park aims to change this narrative by serving as a one-stop centre for research, development, and industrial manufacturing of biomedical products.

Key benefits of the park include job creation, with 90,000 jobs expected to be created, including 10,000 direct jobs for scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff. The park will also provide training opportunities for 5,000 students and researchers annually, enhancing human capital development. Additionally, the park will improve healthcare outcomes by producing vaccines, diagnostics, and medicines locally and is projected to contribute $5 billion annually to Uganda’s GDP.

The park is aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, Vision 2040, and the NRM Manifesto, which emphasize the importance of science, technology, and innovation in driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for all Ugandans.

Hon. Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, expressed her gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for his unwavering support.

Lt Gen James Mugira, Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation, welcomed the Premier and highlighted the park’s expected benefits, including capital investment inflow, technology transfer, and job creation. He also thanked the government for its support, particularly the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, and appealed for continued support in providing incentives for developers and operators.

 Gen Mugira further expressed gratitude to the President of Uganda, His Excellency Gen (Rtd) YK Museveni, for his visionary leadership and guidance in establishing the industrial park.

 Additionally, Gen. Mugira acknowledged the National Enterprise Corporation and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs for their collaborative efforts with the Science, Technology, and Innovation sector, commending them for successfully executing large-scale projects and expressing confidence in their ability to deliver exceptional results in the future.

The ceremony marked a significant milestone in Uganda’s journey towards industrialization and economic growth, with the park expected to contribute to the country’s development and prosperity.