Health Ministry Clears Locally Made HIV, Malaria Testing Kits

By Skika Reporter

The Ministry of Health Uganda has approved the use of locally manufactured test kits for HIV, malaria, and sickle cell disease in health facilities across the country, marking a significant step in strengthening Uganda’s domestic healthcare capacity.

Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng announced the development during the official unveiling of the kits in Kampala on April 2, noting that the products had successfully passed all required evaluations and received clearance from the National Drug Authority (NDA).

“We have already incorporated it into our testing algorithm. We shall be using it officially. We are using them together with other test kits,” Dr Aceng said.

The commissioner for laboratory and diagnostic services, Susan Nabadda, said the kits target high-burden diseases that continue to strain Uganda’s health system. She explained that although the kits had previously been launched, they had not been formally adopted in government facilities until all verification processes were completed.

“We had to go through all the processes needed to make sure that the kits are right to be used, which we finalised. Government’s commitment through Buy Uganda, Build Uganda made sure we procure them, and they are already distributed in health facilities,” she said.

State Minister for Trade Wilson Mbadi highlighted the economic benefits of shifting to local production, noting that Uganda spends heavily on imported diagnostic kits.

Uganda uses approximately 15 million HIV test kits and 30 million malaria test kits annually. Locally produced kits cost about $0.6 (Shs2,234) compared to $1.5 (Shs5,584) for imported ones, a difference expected to significantly reduce government expenditure and foreign exchange outflows.

According to Cedric Akwesigye, managing director of Microhaem Scientifics, the initiative will also boost employment and innovation.

“We will continue to manufacture health products because they will not only help in solving health problems, but also economic problems. Today, Microhaem employs 700 scientists,” he said.

Uganda continues to face a heavy disease burden. Official statistics indicate that about 1.5 million people are living with HIV, while malaria claims around 16 lives daily. Additionally, between 20,000 and 25,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease each year.

The adoption of locally made diagnostic kits is expected to improve access to testing, reduce costs, and strengthen Uganda’s resilience in managing major public health challenges.