Kampala International University Teaching Hospital and Research Centre (KIU-THR) successfully hosted the 5th Uganda Pharmaceutical Symposium last weekend, drawing over 1,000 participants to the Ishaka campus. The three-day event, running from April 11-13, united students, researchers, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers under the theme “Universal Health Coverage: Prioritizing Supply Chain, Research, Innovation, and Digitization of Health.”
University Secretary Madam Asiati Mbabazi opened the symposium with a powerful reminder of purpose: “We are health professionals. What is expected of us is to save lives.” KIU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Mabonga, reinforced the institution’s dedication to advancing health education through “research, technology, and partnerships.”
Co-hosted by the KIU School of Pharmacy and the Uganda Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (UPSA), the event featured workshops, panel discussions, and an Innovation Exhibition Village where students showcased cutting-edge solutions including AI-driven diagnostics and digital supply chain technologies.
Dr. Benjamin Mwesige from the Uganda Cancer Institute advocated for integrating artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical research, while Dr. Anyase Ronald Amaza of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda encouraged students to “stay silent and work hard” on research that influences policy.
Government representation came from Dr. Martha Grace Ajulong, Commissioner for Pharmaceuticals and Natural Products, who emphasized that “medical supply chains are the backbone of healthcare” and called for digital interventions to ensure medicine accessibility nationwide.
Throughout the symposium, KIU students demonstrated exceptional leadership through research presentations, debates, and innovation contests. Professor Mabonga praised these efforts, calling the event “a testament to the power of youth-led transformation.”
The symposium concluded with Dr. Ajulong planting two medicinal trees on campus, symbolizing the integration of indigenous knowledge with modern pharmaceutical practice. Her parting message resonated with all attendees: “The biggest problem pharmacists have is fear—fear to fail. Stop fearing. Innovation comes when you dare to try.”
The successful event positioned KIU as a leader in pharmaceutical education and innovation in Uganda, with participants leaving inspired to contribute to healthcare transformation in their communities.
