Stanbic Bank backs QCIL with Shs 133bln to boost drug production
KAMPALA, May 25, 2025 – Stanbic Bank Uganda has extended a debt facility of up to US$ 36 million [approximately Shs 133 billion] to Quality Chemical Industries Limited [ QCIL ], a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Luzira, Kampala. The funding will support the construction of a second manufacturing plant to boost the production of essential human medicines.
The expansion comes in response to the growing demand for drugs treating conditions such as tuberculosis [TB], HIV/AIDS, and other emerging therapeutic needs. The new facility will enable QCIL to scale up operations and increase its manufacturing capacity from 1.4 billion to at least 2.4 billion tablets annually.
Mumba Kalifungwa, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic Bank Uganda, hailed the partnership as a bold and strategic move to strengthen healthcare systems across the region.
“This is a milestone for all of us in the region—ambitious in scale and catalytic in purpose. We are honoured that QCIL has entrusted us with such a vital mandate. Transactions like these exemplify what it means to drive Uganda’s growth,” he said. “As financial institutions, we must finance what matters—for the people who matter.”
QCIL Chairman Emmanuel Katongole said the investment would enable the company to establish specialised production lines for TB treatments, injectables, and other innovative medicines.
“We are strengthening our capacity to serve not only Uganda but also the broader African market with high-quality, affordable medicines,” said Katongole. “With this support from Stanbic, we are positioning ourselves to meet rising regional demand and reduce dependence on imported pharmaceuticals.”
The new facility is expected to enhance QCIL’s existing product portfolio, stimulate local production, and allow expansion into new drug categories that are increasingly in demand across Africa.
QCIL Chief Executive Officer Ajay Kumar Pal emphasised the strategic importance of the project in light of the strained healthcare systems in neighbouring countries due to conflict, economic hardship, natural disasters, and governance challenges.
“This new factory marks a significant investment in our mission to expand access to life-saving medicines by manufacturing in Africa, for Africa. It will make QCIL the only TB medicine manufacturer in the region,” said Pal. He noted that QCIL currently supplies medicines to countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi, with ongoing engagement from others including the Central African Republic and Chad.
With an expanded production capacity, QCIL aims to become a continental leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing—improving access to affordable medication and supporting the development of more self-reliant healthcare systems across Africa.
Founded in 2005 with partial funding from the Government of Uganda, QCIL is pre-qualified by the World Health Organisation [WHO] for the manufacture of HIV/AIDS and malaria treatments, and currently supplies products to at least 31 African countries.
Despite growing need, pharmaceutical manufacturers in East Africa currently meet only 10 percent of the region’s demand for antiretroviral drugs for the 5 million people living with HIV, and just 19 percent of the demand for malaria treatments. The region reports an estimated 54 million malaria cases and over 600,000 TB cases annually, underscoring the urgent need for local drug production.
The recent introduction of the malaria vaccine is expected to alleviate some of the burden, but the continued development of local pharmaceutical infrastructure remains essential for long-term regional health resilience.
https://thecooperator.news/police-officer-sentenced-to-four-years-in-jail-for-stealing-govt-drugs/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 0
