Dei Biopharma Founder Dr. Matthias Magoola has been awarded the prestigious Pharma Ratna Universe Award which is India’s most sought-after recognition in the Biopharma and healthcare sector.

The award was received on behalf of Dr. Magoola by Ms Olivia Kemigisa, Dei BioPharma Ltd head of Human Capital at the award ceremonies on April 20 at Taj Skyline, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in India.

Pharma Ratna, organisers of the Awards, paid commendation to Dr. Magoola, in a citation, proceeding the accolade, recognising his efforts building Dei BioPharma from zero to a value of USD 2.5 billions in 2025.

“A man who made the whole of Africa proud with his visionary approach. He started his career from zero, and now he is a billionaire,”

The citation added: “His vision is to make Africa free from malaria and other dreaded diseases. He owns Africa’s largest Pharmaceutical & Biotech Company. ”

Ugandan scientist Dr. Magoola of Dei Biopharma wins a top Indian pharma award, recognized for his innovative work in pharmaceuticals and vaccines, making Uganda and Africa proud.
Pharma Ratna also praised Dr. Magoola, saying that his award was not just a personal honour for Dr. Magoola— but a proud moment for Uganda, Africa, and “every dreamer who believes in building global impact from the ground up.”

Dei Biopharma Ltd Chief Executive Officer Mr. Hitesh Upreti said Dr. Magoola’s vision of making Africa self-reliant in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and cutting-edge biotech innovation is now resonating beyond borders.

“This award is a salute to the spirit of innovation, resilience, and purpose that Dr. Magoola embodies,” he said.

“We are grateful to Pharma Ratna Universe 2025 for recognising African excellence on this global stage. We are even more committed now—to rise higher, reach farther, and serve better,” he said.

The award comes in  when President Museveni recently applauded Dr. Magoola for the extraordinary achievements in medical innovation, following the filing of over 100 patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for treatments targeting a wide range of diseases.

Museveni revealed he had met with Dr. Magoola to receive updates on the company’s groundbreaking projects and expressed admiration for the scale and ambition of Dei Biopharma’s work, which includes research and development of treatments for cancer, HIV, Alzheimer’s, malaria, tuberculosis, and diabetes.

 “I am happy to learn that he has filed over 100 patents with the United States Patent Office for treating different diseases… some of which have been granted,” Museveni said.

Museveni affirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating the necessary regulatory processes to ensure Dei Biopharma’s drugs can be licensed and produced locally for both domestic and international markets.

“The government will support his company with the necessary accreditation requirements in order to obtain licenses for drugs to be produced locally for use in global markets,” he assured.

The President’s endorsement follows growing national and international attention on Dei Biopharma, particularly after Dr. Magoola secured a U.S. patent for an innovative cancer treatment drug.

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Top officials and delegates from Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) gathered in Kampala today for a high-level preparatory meeting.

The session precedes an Extra-Ordinary Summit aimed at evaluating ongoing efforts and setting the strategic direction for long-term peace and stability in Somalia.

This summit was agreed upon during the recent official visit of Somali President H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Uganda. Leaders resolved to convene under the theme “To Stabilize Somalia,” identifying this as the mission’s ultimate objective.

Speaking at the opening of the technical and senior officials’ meeting, Ambassador John Mugerwa, representing the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the gathering as timely. It comes in the wake of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) mandate ending on 31 December 2024.

Ambassador Mugerwa recalled that the African Union Peace and Security Council endorsed AUSSOM’s Concept of Operations in August 2024. He explained that the mission is currently in its first phase, focusing on repositioning troops and transferring key security locations to Somali forces to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities.

“In the spirit of the common African defence and security policy, an attack on one is considered an attack on all,” he said. “This is the spirit that has so far guided this struggle from the early days of AMISOM.”

He underscored that AUSSOM’s success rests on Somalia’s ability to build and prepare its national security forces, adding that it “hinges on force generation, integration, mentorship, and the readiness of Somali forces.”

Condemning the recent spike in attacks by the Al-Shabaab, Ambassador Mugerwa commended the bravery of Somali forces and their international allies.

“We must not allow Al-Shabaab to win,” he said, stressing that the meeting presents a critical opportunity to resolve operational issues and establish a clear strategic path.

He further called for stronger financial and logistical support, stating, “The success of this mission will depend in large part on the provision of adequate, predictable and sustainable funding.” He acknowledged the crucial contributions of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other international partners.

He conveyed condolences to those injured and honoured the soldiers from TCCs and Somalia who, “paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of peace and stability in Somalia.”

Ambassador Mugerwa reaffirmed Uganda’s long-term commitment to Somalia, dating back to its initial troop deployment under AMISOM in 2007. He proposed the creation of a political body to oversee stabilisation efforts, backed by a robust monitoring and evaluation system, and advocated for political reconciliation between Somalia’s federal government, its federal member states, and clan leaders.

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The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) has unveiled a 100-day roadmap focusing on restoring the electricity network, connecting new customers and implementing capital investments.

The plan was presented last week during a public forum hosted by Kigo Thinkers at the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) headquarters. UEDCL officials addressed the public regarding the transition following their takeover on March 31.

Protaze Tibyakinura, UEDCL’s chief engineer and technical services officer, acknowledged the initial challenges of the transition. “We have operated for 15 days now, and the first 15 days have definitely not been easy,” he said, adding that the company was prepared for a complex handover.

UEDCL announced it would begin connecting new customers next week. “We have materials in the stores. We are now packaging and distributing them to our local offices. So, the new connection line is going to be open next week,” Tibyakinura stated. He assured the public that pending connection requests from Umeme’s tenure would be honored without additional charges.

The company plans to roll out ERA-approved capital projects in May, starting with the injection of approximately 500 transformers to relieve overloaded ones nationwide. “Many people have transformers that are strained, and that is also part of the outages we are experiencing,” Tibyakinura explained, noting that these investments aim to improve the reliability and quality of electricity supply. Contractors are expected to begin these upgrades by the end of April.

Larger infrastructure projects, including network extensions, new substations, and major refurbishments, are slated for implementation in May and June. Tibyakinura assured that financing would not be a constraint this year.

Addressing recent power blackouts, Tibyakinura attributed them to transitional challenges, including recruitment delays and pre-existing issues like non-functional transformers inherited from Umeme. He reported that UEDCL has already replaced about 200 faulty transformers and rebuilt 300 structures damaged by storms in its first two weeks of operation, adding that network performance has since improved.

ERA CEO Ziria Tibalwa Waako stated that UEDCL has been allocated $100 million (about 370 billion Ugandan shillings) for network restoration and upgrades over the next nine months. “Umeme has never been able to reach that in any particular year,” she said. Waako explained that UEDCL will recover these costs through tariffs, similar to Umeme’s previous practice, ensuring the company’s sustainability. The initial capital is government seed funding.

ERA has set performance targets for UEDCL, including reducing energy loss from Umeme’s 16% to 14.59% this year, with further reductions planned for subsequent years, aiming toward universal electricity access by 2030. Consistent revenue collection above 99.85% is also expected, leveraging prepaid metering for households and automated meters for industries. Waako added that all government ministries, departments, and agencies will be enrolled on prepaid three-phase meters.

Blessing Nshaho, Umeme’s chief corporate and regulatory officer, said the outgoing company handed over a significantly transformed grid after two decades of operation.

He noted customer numbers grew from approximately 250,000 to over two million, with 220,000 new connections made last year alone. Revenue increased from 160 billion shillings annually to 2.5 trillion shillings. Transformer numbers rose from 5,000 to 17,000, and transmission capacity increased from 500 MVA to 2,500 MVA. Power lines were extended from 17,000 kilometers to 44,000 kilometers, and staff efficiency improved.

Umeme also digitized its customer service and operational framework. Nshaho highlighted the reduction in energy loss from 38% to 16% and improved collection rates as significant boosts to distribution efficiency. He also noted the handover of 16 substations, including refurbished and new switching stations, and an increase in the national electricity access rate from 5% to 57% (including off-grid).

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Authorities in Uganda have launched a search for a woman identified as Uwingeneye Aline who is alleged to have gone missing after being released on police bond in a case recorded under SD/026/22/12/2024 according to security sources.

Aline was previously detained at Industrial Area Police Station in Kampala alongside another woman identified only as Donamu Nassasira. The two were arrested earlier this year following allegations related to LGBTQ+ a criminal offence under Ugandan law.

Our sources say the case is linked to an incident reported to have taken place on December 31, 2024 when the pair were allegedly captured on CCT cameras at a workplace in Matugga. The footage which reportedly showed the two women displaying affection shortly before the New Year is said to have been forwarded to authorities.

After her arrest Aline was released on police bond pending further investigations. However officials say she did not comply with the conditions of her release including mandatory reporting requirements. Efforts to locate her were initiated after she failed to return with officers reportedly visiting her known residence only to find she had already left.

Her current whereabouts remain unknown. Unconfirmed reports suggest she may have fled Kampala and briefly stayed in western Uganda before disappearing. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that she may have crossed the country’s borders.

The case has drawn wider public attention following reports that posters bearing her image and identifying her as a wanted person have appeared in multiple locations. Photographs seen by local sources show such notices displayed on roadside poles and public walls in areas including Ndejje and Kisoro.

As we tried to get in touch with the family of the said Aline the confirmed since she had done an abomination they has to distance themselves from her and currently do not know her whereabouts while her estranged husband is also reported to have cut ties with her and their children.

The developments come amid continued scrutiny of Uganda’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. LGBTQ+ remain criminalized under Ugandan law, and those accused of related offences frequently face arrest, prosecution and social ostracism. While the human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over attacks targeting individuals perceived to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Upto now security sources indicate that efforts to trace and arrest Aline in connection with case SD/026/22/12/2024 remain ongoing. Authorities have urged members of the public to report any information that could assist in locating her.

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The Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) will utilize up to Shs43.3 billion over the next nine months to fund its operations, marking a significant step in its transition as the country’s primary power distributor following the exit of Umeme.

This funding, originally part of the Umeme buyout fund, will be recovered through electricity tariffs and used as seed capital to help UEDCL stabilize and invest in Uganda’s electricity distribution network, according to Zilia Wako, Executive Director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA).

Speaking at the second Electricity Sector Bazaar in Kampala on Tuesday, Wako said the Cabinet had approved the transfer of these funds to UEDCL with the goal of ensuring a seamless takeover. “The government has paid the buyout amount and has given UEDCL the $118 million to recover through the tariff with interest, and invest as seed capital,” Wako said.

She emphasized that this funding is more than Umeme ever received in a single year. “UEDCL has $100 million at its disposal for the next nine months. Umeme has not been able to reach that in any particular year,” she noted, adding that the support has been built into the electricity tariff structure to ensure sustainability.

Wako further said UEDCL will benefit from additional financial support, including $683 million from the World Bank under the Scale-Up Project. This funding targets renewable energy rollouts in rural areas—particularly for social institutions like schools and hospitals—and aims to accelerate access to electricity for all Ugandans by 2030.

Alongside the funding, performance benchmarks have been set for UEDCL. These include reducing electricity losses to 14.59% within nine months, and to 13.65% and 13.31% in the following two years. The revenue collection target has also been set high, at over 99.85% annually—leveraging the country’s prepayment metering system.

To tackle delayed payments, especially from government agencies, Wako revealed plans to enroll all public institutions on prepaid metering, following agreement with the Ministry of Finance.

Before Umeme’s exit on April 1, 2025, it had maintained electricity losses at 16%, collected Shs2.5 trillion in revenue, and reached over 2 million connections, averaging 100,000 new connections annually and monetizing 84% of all power received from the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL).

Despite its larger footprint, Umeme did not serve all areas. Eng. Protaze Tibyakinura, UEDCL’s Chief of Engineering and Technical Services, noted that UEDCL had long operated in some of the most difficult-to-reach areas, distributing electricity to over 240,000 customers, all under the prepaid model.

“We are not new to this task. In fact, during the transition, we’ve focused on restoring damaged infrastructure and fast-tracking all certified connections that were pending under Umeme—at no extra cost to consumers,” Tibyakinura said.

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