The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) has issued a strong policy challenge to political leaders and aspirants ahead of the upcoming elections, saying its more than 2,000 members are prepared to support candidates who make clear commitments to strengthening Uganda’s pharmaceutical and health systems.
Speaking on behalf of the professional body, PSU Secretary Stephen Lutoti said pharmacists will base their political support on concrete manifesto commitments rather than party affiliation, with a strong focus on local drug manufacturing, health worker welfare, and increased health financing.
“As pharmacists, we are ready to support any candidate at any level of leadership who stands out and says, ‘I am standing for these issues,’ not only for pharmacists but for all health workers,” Lutoti said.
A key demand from the pharmacists is decisive government action to reduce Uganda’s heavy reliance on imported medicines. According to PSU, more than 90 percent of medicines used in the country are imported, despite Uganda having the technical expertise to manufacture them locally.
“We have the pharmaceutical experts in Uganda. Through the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, we can manufacture all the medicines that are imported and even more. We can produce conventional medicines—tablets, capsules, injections—and also standardize herbal medicines,” Lutoti noted.
PSU is calling for tax exemptions on quality control equipment, manufacturing inputs, and other pharmaceutical production requirements, as well as tax relief for local drug manufacturers to encourage domestic production and improve access to medicines.
The society also urged all political aspirants—from presidential candidates to local council leaders—to prioritize increasing the national health budget and clearly outline mechanisms to safeguard health funds from corruption.
“As you talk to voters, we ask you to increase the healthcare budget and propose strategies on how to protect it from corruption. This is critical for improving service delivery,” Lutoti said.
Beyond financing, pharmacists raised concerns over the poor welfare of health workers, citing low pay, lack of housing, heavy workloads, and limited career progression as major causes of demotivation and brain drain.
“Health workers are struggling. Many lack accommodation, facilities are poorly equipped, and pay is inadequate. Leaders must commit to competitive salaries, housing allowances, overtime pay, and clear career progression to keep our workforce motivated,” he added.
PSU further highlighted a critical staffing gap, revealing that over 70 percent of districts in Uganda do not have pharmacists, despite public service structures requiring their presence in district hospitals, general hospitals, and Health Centre IVs.
“How do you handle medicines in a district without a pharmacist? There is wastage, poor quantification, and unsafe use of drugs. Medicines can heal or poison depending on the dose, and only pharmacists are trained to guide their proper use,” Lutoti warned.
He added that the shortage is even more pronounced in regional and national referral hospitals, where high patient numbers are not matched by adequate pharmacy staffing, increasing risks such as antimicrobial resistance.
PSU also called on Parliament to fully consider the society’s submissions on the National Drugs and Health Products Authority Bill, which is currently before the House.
“We ask that as this bill is passed into law, the submissions from the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda are fully considered so that we end up with a strong authority and a robust pharmaceutical regulatory system,” Lutoti said.
The pharmacists’ body emphasized that political leaders who commit to increasing recruitment of pharmacists, improving health worker welfare, boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and strengthening health laws will earn the profession’s support at the ballot.
