Health 21 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Government to Relocate Residents Near Matugga Vaccine Plant for Expansion
The Ugandan government plans to compensate and relocate residents living near the Dei BioPharma vaccines and medicines plant in Matugga to facilitate its expansion. The move aims to meet international certification standards and secure global partnerships for the pharmaceutical facility. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-to-relocate-residents-near-matugga-vaccines-plant-5604060
The Ugandan government is set to compensate and relocate residents whose properties are situated near the Dei BioPharma Limited facility in Matugga, Wakiso District. This directive, issued by Investment and Privatisation State Minister Aminah Mukalazi on behalf of President Museveni, is intended to enable a significant expansion of the pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
Minister Mukalazi has instructed authorities in Nansana Municipality and Gombe Division to immediately halt the issuance of building permits for land within a specified radius of the plant. This area has been designated as an industrial park, and existing human settlements are seen as a barrier to the facility’s growth and international accreditation.
Dei BioPharma, a Ugandan-based enterprise founded by Dr. Matthias Magoola, is involved in developing and producing advanced biological medicines, including biosimilars and mRNA-based technologies. The company has filed numerous patent applications in the US, covering treatments for various diseases, and has received acceptance for development plans from the US Food and Drug Administration for some products.
The relocation and compensation plan are crucial for Dei BioPharma to achieve international certifications, such as those from the US-FDA and EU-EMA, which are necessary for contract manufacturing for global pharmaceutical firms. Dr. Magoola emphasized that regulatory requirements mandate that such manufacturing facilities are not surrounded by neighboring settlements, but rather by security and natural barriers.
Government valuers will assess both mailo landowners and bibanja holders in the affected areas, including Kigoogwa A and B, Kiryammuli, Wabitembe, and Kiryowa villages. Residents are urged to cooperate with the government, which holds a significant stake in Dei BioPharma and is committed to ensuring fair compensation for all legitimate property owners. Technical officers have also been ordered to cease all land transfers within the zone to prevent further complications.