In a fresh call for transparency, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has urged the government to disclose the full details of a previously undisclosed agreement it signed with Dei Bio Pharma. The demand comes after the company’s owners revealed plans to repay the Shs723 billion it had received from taxpayers—a move that contradicts earlier statements from government officials, who had denied the existence of any such agreement.
Ssenyonyi’s request followed a field visit to the company’s premises in Matugga, where he met with Mathias Magoola, the proprietor of Dei Bio Pharma. Magoola informed Ssenyonyi that the company is on track to begin vaccine production by October 2024, a development that has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of public funds invested in the project.
“This revelation by the proprietor contradicts the earlier stance of the government,” Ssenyonyi said, pointing to the government’s previous refusal to acknowledge any formal arrangement regarding the Shs723 billion. “The taxpayers deserve to know the full details of how this agreement was reached and how their money is being managed.”
The Shs723 billion controversy first surfaced when Dei Bio Pharma sought public funding for the establishment of a vaccine manufacturing facility in Matugga. The proposal was met with skepticism from opposition members and civil society, who questioned the viability of the project and whether due diligence had been conducted before public funds were allocated.
In response to Ssenyonyi’s demands, government officials have so far remained tight-lipped, with no official statement issued regarding the purported agreement or the planned repayment of the funds.
Dei Bio Pharma’s plan to start producing vaccines in October 2024 has the potential to significantly impact Uganda’s pharmaceutical industry, but the lack of transparency surrounding the company’s funding has raised concerns among opposition leaders and the public alike.
Ssenyonyi vowed to continue pressing for answers, noting that accountability is crucial when it comes to the management of taxpayer money. “We need to know the exact terms of this agreement and ensure that the public’s interests are protected,” he said.
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