Kamuli Local Leaders Applaud Dei BioPharma for Opening Up Youth Opportunities

KAMULI DISTRICT – Local leaders in Kamuli District have applauded Dei BioPharma Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mathias Magoola, for supporting youth empowerment initiatives and creating opportunities for young people to participate in employment, entrepreneurship, commercial agriculture and wealth creation.

The leaders made the remarks during the Kamuli District Youth Mindset and Innovations Summit held at Kasambira School Grounds, where stakeholders called for a change in mindset among young people and encouraged them to embrace innovation, skills development and productive economic activities.

Kamuli District Council Chairperson Kaloli Dhizaala said Dei BioPharma's growing industrial investments presented an important opportunity for young people, particularly through agricultural production and the supply of raw materials to the company's manufacturing facilities.

“The Dei factories is a growing opportunity for progress. With the District Youth Council acres of land, you can take on cassava growing market to change the youth perspective,” Dhizaala said.

He challenged young people to embrace commercial cassava farming and maintain high production standards by using certified planting materials and appropriate agricultural practices to meet the requirements of industrial markets.

Dhizaala further encouraged the District Youth Council to organise a benchmarking visit to Dei BioPharma's Busambu facilities in Namasagali to understand the opportunities available within the pharmaceutical industry's supply chain.

Kamuli Chief Administrative Officer Ben Lawrence Marley also commended the company for supporting the youth summit, describing its investment as an opportunity that could stimulate development and enterprise in the district.

“Dei BioPharma isn't just a project, it's an industry that's bringing development, market opportunities, and healthcare solutions right to our doorstep,” Marley said.

He urged young people to reciprocate the support by becoming innovative and entrepreneurial, adding that the company's engagement demonstrated a commitment to helping young people transform their communities.

“When you are honoured and supported by the CEO, it shows his personal commitment, passion and desire to fetch you up, so count yourselves lucky and pay him back by becoming innovative enterprising youth who transform their communities,” he added.

Magoola challenges youth to embrace innovation

Addressing the summit, Dr Magoola challenged young people to change their mindset, take advantage of government empowerment programmes and position themselves to benefit from emerging opportunities in science, technology and industrial development.

“Government has many programs for empowerment which you should embrace through mindset change. Join us at Dei BioPharma in shaping and advancing the future and challenges of healthcare focusing on providing affordable treatments that were previously inaccessible due to high costs through groundbreaking vaccines and medicines, made in Africa for the world,” Magoola said.

He highlighted the opportunities emerging from Dei Group's pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing investments in Matugga and Busambu, noting that the expansion of local manufacturing could create employment, business opportunities and opportunities for African scientists to participate in research and development.

“Beyond these innovations these achievements will serve as an inspiration and create role models for African scientists, to lead research and development, instead of remaining at the receiving end of scientific advancements,” he added.

Youth Council recognises Magoola

Kamuli District Youth Council Chairperson Sepiryano Ngobi thanked Dei BioPharma for providing financial support that enabled the summit to take place, describing the company's involvement as an important contribution to youth development.

Ngobi said the summit was organised to address challenges associated with the misuse of available youth empowerment programmes and the failure by some young people to turn available resources into productive investments.

“Government and Mzee has put out many opportunities and programs for young people but with a fixated mindset, the youth just squander or look on instead of adding value and investing,” Ngobi said.

He cautioned young people against spending funds obtained through programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and the Youth Livelihood Programme on luxuries instead of investing in income-generating activities.

In recognition of his contribution to youth empowerment, Ngobi announced Dr Magoola as a Youth Development Ambassador.

The summit was also attended by First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, National Youth Member of Parliament Mercy Kanyesigye, National Youth Council Chairperson Daniel Ongom and entrepreneur Johnson Basangwa.

The engagement highlighted the importance of partnerships between the private sector, government and local communities in creating practical opportunities for young people.

For Kamuli's youth, the growing industrial activities around Busambu present opportunities to participate in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and skills development, with local leaders urging them to take advantage of the emerging opportunities.