Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil), Uganda’s foremost pharmaceutical manufacturer, marked World Malaria Day 2025 with a community medical camp at St Stephen’s Church of Uganda in Luzira.
The initiative aligned with this year’s global theme: “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” emphasizing the urgency of renewed action against malaria, a disease that remains a leading cause of death across sub-Saharan Africa.
Addressing attendees, Qcil’s chief finance officer, Fred Andrew Kakooza, highlighted the company’s deep roots in Luzira and its unwavering commitment to public health.
“We have proudly operated as Qcil here in Luzira for close to two decades. This community is not just our home it is part of our purpose,” he said. “World Malaria Day reminds us of the continuing threat this disease poses, especially to pregnant women and children. The global theme challenges us to do more and we are answering that call.”
Established in 2005 by Ugandan entrepreneurs, Qcil has grown into sub-Saharan Africa’s largest producer of WHO-prequalified antimalarial medicines, helping to ensure these essential treatments are both accessible and affordable throughout the region.
“Beyond manufacturing, we see ourselves as collaborators in the national effort to eliminate malaria,” Kakooza added.
“Through innovation and outreach, we aim to make a tangible difference. Today’s health camp is just one example of how we bring that vision to life.”
Uganda continues to face a high malaria burden. According to data from the Uganda National Institute of Public Health, the disease claimed more than 37,000 lives in 2023. Vulnerable populations, particularly young children and expectant mothers bear the brunt of its impact, contributing to poor maternal outcomes, infant mortality, and entrenched poverty.
Qcil’s head of human resources, Harrison Kiggundu, emphasized the importance of community-centered interventions: “Our goal is to improve health outcomes by expanding access to reliable treatment. Initiatives like these bring life-saving services to those who need them most.”
At the camp, residents received free services including malaria testing and treatment, distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, pediatric consultations, antenatal care, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, and eye examinations. As the country strives to reduce malaria infections and fatalities, Qcil’s model combining pharmaceutical expertise with local outreach continues to play a vital role in shaping a healthier, malaria-free Uganda.
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