The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero, is in Ethiopia for the African meeting on partnership for vaccine manufacturing. 

According to Uganda’s envoy in Ethiopia, Rebecca Amuge Otengo, during the meeting in Addis Ababa, the minister will interact with African vaccine innovators and manufacturers to work out an African solution for the various infections such as COVID-19. 

“The Partnership for vaccine manufacturing, market design and demand intelligence meeting is on in Addis Ababa. [It] brings together vaccine manufacturers, donors and procurers. [It seeks] to find African solutions to African problems. Dr. Musenero is holding Uganda’s flag high at the meeting,” she said. 

Musenero is a key pillar in Uganda’s quest to locally produce COVID-19 vaccines. 

In February this year, Musenero said testing the locally-developed COVID-19 vaccines on human beings will start in October. 

The locally-made COVID-19 vaccine, she added, has already been tried in common mice and proved to be safe. 

The minister said the locally developed vaccine research is spearheaded by Makerere University. 

Last month, President Yoweri Museveni, also met with the Chinese Sinovac team at State House, Entebbe. 

The Chinese biotech company pledged to construct a vaccine and biotech centre in Uganda.  

“I received a team from the international vaccine/biotech company Sinovac through their Ugandan representative Mr Philip Ruan. The company plans to work with the Government to establish a vaccine and biotech centre in Uganda,” Museveni said.  

“The vaccine and biotech centre will be for use by Uganda and East Africa at large. With this centre, we shall achieve vaccine security and independence for both Uganda and the region. I support this idea and welcome them,” he added.