Shs.32b NDA Tower: Construction of new quality control laboratory starts

By Komakech Jimmy

The National Drug Authority (NDA) has officially broken ground for the construction of a new Quality Control Laboratory Tower.

Chief Guest and Minister for Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng was visibly excited to break ground for the Laboratory tower.

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While driving the excavator in a symbolic way to kick start the construction, Aceng commended NDA upon embarking on this ‘bold step and milestone of the construction of the Quality Control Laboratory Tower.’ 

“This construction demonstrates the Government of Uganda’s and Ministry of Health resolve and dedication in partnership with NDA to save human life, through a commitment to improving health outcomes,” Aceng said. 

She also cautioned unscrupulous individuals who are involved in bringing counterfeit medicines into the country.

“For those who still think that Uganda is a place where substandard medicines will find their way into the market, by this laboratory construction, your attempts will be dealt a big blow. This construction further signifies NDA’s growth and development in establishing a solid infrastructure to execute its mandate,” Aceng said.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Chairman of the board of NDA, Dr. Medard Bitekerezo informed the audience that the tower will be constructed using internally generated resources by NDA.

The new tower will accommodate a pharmaceutical, food and herbal medicine, microbial laboratory and a sample storage room.

“This Ushs 32Bn facility will be completed in 24 months,” he said. 

Bitekyerezo added that there are increasing cases of drug resistance, especially in antibiotics, for malaria and typhoid, which he attributed to poor quality drugs.

“We directed our focus to construction of a laboratory so that no one in Uganda takes sub-standard drugs” Bitekyerezo added.

Acting Secretary, David Nahamya reiterated the expected quality of the Laboratory tower.

“This ultra-modern, urbane laboratory will be one of a kind not only in Uganda but in sub-saharan Africa,” he said amidst deafening applauses from the audience.

He further added that this appropriate structure will enable NDA test locally manufactured and imported cosmetics among others while increasing the range of drugs tested.