A Kampala-based producer of antiretroviral drugs certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is planning expansion into Tanzania, while Pearl Dairy (trading as Lato Milk) unveiled a 10-year plan to combat malnutrition and scale milk production.

These expectations were expressed at a bilateral trade meeting titled Uganda-Tanzania trade mission 2025 here yesterday, where the Quality Chemical Industries Ltd (QCIL) proposal was especially noticeable.

An online chronicle says in 2007 the Ugandan company partnered with Indian pharmaceutical group Cipla Ltd to establish a factory in Kampala for producing ARVs and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).

The factory is located in a suburb of Kampala and is the first in Africa to produce full triple-therapy generic ARVs. The factory is expected to produce 600 million tablets per year.  A prospective source of cheaper supplies in the wake of aid cuts and higher cost margins for overseas-sourced ARVs, analysts affirm.

The Uganda-Tanzania Trade Mission 2025 was just being launched here with intent to reinforce economic cooperation between the two countries, hosted by Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Col. (Rtd.) Fred Mwesigye.

In his remarks, he emphasized the role of trade and investment in driving shared prosperity, noting that bilateral trade between Uganda and Tanzania surged to $2.23bn in 2024, up from $1.36bn in 2023.

Uganda exports cement, sugar, dairy and pharmaceuticals, while Tanzania supplies petroleum, machinery and textiles in the main, he said, affirming that the mission event is meant to expand Uganda’s exports, removing non-tariff barriers, promoting investment opportunities especially in agriculture and manufacturing.

It also involved facilitating B2B partnerships and raising awareness of EAC trade policies, where Dr. Dotto Biteko, the deputy prime minister and Energy minister, stressed the importance of private sector collaboration.

“Tanzania’s growing transport infrastructure offers Uganda reliable trade routes,” he said, citing developments including the standard gauge railway, biweekly MV Umoja and MV Kazi ferries to Jinja and Kampala,.

Near-completion of MV Mwanza Hapa Kazi II, and Air Tanzania’s expanded cargo and passenger services to Entebbe were also cited.

Gen. Wilson Mbadi, the Trade state minister for Uganda, said the mission builds on commitments from the 2024 Uganda-Tanzania Business Forum in Dar es Salaam. “We’re committed to eliminating trade barriers and strengthening private sector growth,” he stated, pointing out that the mission included visits to key industrial sites, showcasing Uganda’s investment potential.

Highlights included Liaoshen Industrial Park in Kapeeka, home to tile, fruit processing and solar battery firms. Sawa Ceramics, Goodwill Uganda Ltd, and Ola Technology demonstrated local innovation and job creation, he specified.

Delegates also toured Grain Pulse, known for maize sourcing and fertilizer blending along with Quality Chemical Industries Ltd (QCIL), where the trade mission closed with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen economic ties, foster innovation and unlock shared growth across the region.