Dr. Matthias Magoola, the Founder and Managing Director of Dei Biopharma Ltd, has been awarded the prestigious “Faces of Science” accolade in recognition of his outstanding contributions to biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation in Uganda.
The award, presented by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation under the STI Secretariat (STI-OP), was handed over by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa—representing President Yoweri Museveni—during the official closing ceremony of National Science Week 2025 at Kololo Independence Grounds on Friday, June 20.
Dr. Magoola, who is currently out of the country, was represented by Mr. Hitesh Upreti, Chief Executive Officer of Dei Biopharma, who received the award on his behalf.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Magoola delivered a keynote address at the opening of National Science Week, where he outlined Dei Biopharma’s ambition to lead Africa’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology revolution.
Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero, praised Dr. Magoola as one of Uganda’s most transformative scientific minds.
“He was selected through a rigorous vetting process for his pivotal role in establishing Uganda’s capability in advanced drug and vaccine manufacturing,” Dr. Musenero said. “This award not only recognizes individual brilliance but also affirms our commitment to building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.”
Dei Biopharma, based in Matugga, Wakiso District, is Uganda’s first large-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing hub. Under Dr. Magoola’s leadership, the company is working to locally produce life-saving medicines—including vaccines, cancer therapies, and biosimilars—reducing the country’s dependency on imported drugs.
Dr. Magoola’s work has gained global recognition. In 2025 alone, he received the African Excellence and Personality Award (ACEPA) in Accra, Ghana, accolades from the Ratna Pharma Awards in India, and was named Best Researcher at the International Molecular Biologist Awards for his pioneering work in mRNA-based therapeutics.
Dei Biopharma has filed more than 100 patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for treatments targeting diseases such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, tuberculosis, and sickle cell anaemia. Recent breakthroughs include a USPTO-published patent on February 6, 2025, for a guided RNA-based cancer treatment and another for the world’s first universal Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine, accepted on January 7.
He also co-authored a peer-reviewed scientific paper published in Cancers journal, titled “Current Progress and Future Perspectives of RNA-Based Cancer Vaccines: A 2025 Update.” The paper outlines a cost-effective CAR-T cell immunotherapy developed at Dei Biopharma, designed as an affordable alternative to existing therapies that cost upwards of $500,000 per patient.
Other recipients of the Faces of Science Award include Dr. Edward Kazaire, Dr. Godfrey Asea, Dr. Grace Nambatya, and Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi, CEO of Kiira Motors Corporation.
The award is part of Uganda’s broader 2040 vision to drive socioeconomic transformation through science, technology, and innovation. The National Science Week, held under the theme “Science for National Transformation”, provided a platform to celebrate local talent and inspire the next generation of scientists.
