Experts Call for Innovation and Digital Health Transformation as Uganda Pharmaceutical Symposium Closes

The 5th Uganda Pharmaceutical Symposium concluded with purpose and pride this weekend at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital and Research Centre (KIU-THR), marking a pivotal moment for Uganda’s health and academic sectors.

Running from April 11 to 13 under the theme “Universal Health Coverage: Prioritizing Supply Chain, Research, Innovation, and Digitization of 1Health,” the event drew over 1,000 participants—students, researchers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and development partners—from across Uganda and beyond.

From its opening moments, the symposium struck a balance between reflection and aspiration.

Madam Asiati Mbabazi, University Secretary at KIU, set the tone with a heartfelt reminder of professional duty. “We are health professionals. What is expected of us is to save lives,” she declared, grounding the event in its ultimate mission—healthcare that matters.

KIU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Mabonga, emphasized the institution’s unwavering commitment to transforming health education through research, technology, and partnerships. “KIU-THR remains committed to enhancing research and innovation through the latest technologies. We will continue building partnerships that drive real impact in communities,” he noted.

Co-hostedby the KIU School of Pharmacy and the Uganda Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (UPSA), the event was a hub of exchange—of ideas, innovations, and networks. Participants moved through vibrant workshops, insightful panel discussions, and hands-on exhibitions that cut across the pharmaceutical landscape, from classroom theory to real-world application.

One of the event’s highlights was the Innovation Exhibition Village. Here, students and young professionals showcased groundbreaking solutions—from AI-driven diagnostics and digital supply chain prototypes to herbal formulations tailored for rural Uganda. Many of these innovations, nurtured within university labs and student research clubs, revealed the untapped potential of Uganda’s youthful scientific community.

Attendees praised the practical applications and urged policymakers to support pathways from prototype to market.

Speakers throughout the event pushed for transformation rooted in research and driven by relevance. Dr. Benjamin Mwesige, Head of Pharmacy at the Uganda Cancer Institute, passionately advocated for integrating artificial intelligence in cancer treatment and pharmaceutical R&D. “We must begin integrating existing innovations with the urgency of AI and rethink how knowledge products and research can influence health outcomes,” he asserted.

Echoing that urgency, Dr. Anyase Ronald Amaza, Patron of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, issued a strategic call to action. “Stay silent and work hard,” he advised the young participants. “We need research that is usable, that influences policy, and that produces tangible results.” He emphasized the need for increased grant investment, actionable academic output, and focused implementation strategies if Uganda is to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Representing the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, was Dr. Martha Grace Ajulong, Commissioner for Pharmaceuticals and Natural Products. Her keynote speech outlined both a challenge and an opportunity. “Medical supply chains are the backbone of healthcare. If the medicines don’t reach the last mile, we have failed,” she said. “We must invest in digital interventions that ensure affordability, accessibility, and availability across even the remotest parts of Uganda.”

Dr. Ajulong also highlighted Uganda’s partnership with USAID as a model of effective collaboration and called for integration of technology within existing systems for sustainability. “The future of healthcare delivery is digital,” she said. “Every sector must evolve.”

At the heart of the symposium were the students—fearless, creative, and ready to lead. From spirited debates and research abstract presentations to IPSF-led leadership workshops and competitive innovation contests, Uganda’s young pharmacy professionals displayed a readiness to shape the future. Their energy underscored the message that the future of healthcare will be student-led and solution-driven.

During the vibrant closing ceremony, Professor Eric Mabonga praised the student-led efforts and reaffirmed KIU’s role as a launchpad for future health leaders. “This symposium is a testament to the power of youth-led transformation. We are proud to have hosted this vibrant platform and will ensure its legacy continues,” he said.

In a symbolic end to the event, Dr. Ajulong planted two medicinal trees in the KIU-TH gardens, reflecting a renewed commitment to integrating Uganda’s indigenous knowledge and natural resources into modern pharmaceutical practice. Her closing remarks delivered a powerful personal message to all pharmacists in the room:

“The biggest problem pharmacists have is fear—fear to fail. Stop fearing. Innovation comes when you dare to try.”

As participants return to their communities, the message from Ishaka is unmistakable: Uganda stands ready to lead a healthcare transformation rooted in innovation, practical research, and digital strength.

With institutional commitment, governmental support, and student passion aligned, the country is poised to reimagine health service delivery for generations to come.