Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth has directed the Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dei Biopharma Limited following reports that the company’s assets are up for sale despite government having invested an estimated Shs724 billion in the pharmaceutical firm.
The company, located in Matugga, Wakiso District, attracted government investment during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of strengthening Uganda’s capacity to produce medicines and reduce reliance on imported pharmaceutical products.
Oboth issued the directive during Tuesday’s plenary sitting on November 10, 2026, following concerns raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, who questioned the status of the investment and demanded accountability for public funds.
“I am informed that our committee (Science, Technology and Innovation) was asked by this House on 07 October to consider matters of Dei Biopharma. Our committee should interact with all stakeholders and bring a report which we can debate and make a decision on,” Oboth said.
Ssenyonyi cited media reports indicating that the company had advertised some of its property for auction, questioning what government had acquired with taxpayers’ money and whether the investment was at risk.
“What exactly did government use taxpayers’ money to buy because the company is now a shell? I hope government will not come again and ask for more money to save the company. The taxpayers demand accountability of the Shs724 billion that was spent,” he said.
Hon. Hassan Kirumira, the NUP Member of Parliament for Katikamu County South, also expressed concern over the fate of the investment, recalling that during a visit by the Shadow Cabinet, the company’s then spokesperson indicated that government funds had been invested in construction, including buildings that are reportedly among the assets being auctioned.
Meanwhile, Hon. Julius Nakiyi, the NRM MP for Budadiri County East, called for clarification on the relationship between Dei Industries International Limited and Dei Biopharma Limited, noting that the former had advertised assets belonging to the latter.
Nakiyi questioned whether the assets were registered under Dei Biopharma, whether they were acquired before government purchased shares in the company, and what safeguards had been put in place to protect public investment.
The Chairperson of the Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Opio, confirmed that the inquiry had already commenced and said the committee would engage key stakeholders, including the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, before reporting back to Parliament.
Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), David Bahati, defended the government’s investment, saying due diligence had been undertaken before the funds were committed.
Bahati cautioned against concluding that government was losing its investment merely because some assets had been advertised for sale.
“The mere fact that assets have been advertised does not mean that we are losing assets. This company is investing in good innovations that all of us can support. There may be mistakes but they will be corrected,” he said.
Dei Biopharma Limited is a Ugandan biotechnology and pharmaceutical research and manufacturing company founded in 2014 by Dr Matthias Magoola. It focuses on developing and manufacturing medicines, generics, nutraceuticals and vaccines for African and international markets.
Speaker Oboth has given the Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation two weeks to complete its inquiry and present a report to Parliament, which will guide the House in determining the next course of action regarding the government investment.
