Uganda launches trials for coronavirus drug

​​​​​​​By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - President Yoweri Kaguta officially launched Uganda’s first clinical trials for a coronavirus drug at Mulago Hospital.

The home-grown natural product was innovated and developed by the country’s scientists in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Uganda, Makerere University School of Public Health, and Mulago Hospital, among other stakeholders.

Kaguta congratulated scientists involved in the breakthrough in the fight against the virus and pledged to prioritize the sector during his next term in office.

“I congratulate Ugandan scientists for coming up with the treatment for COVID-19 which will bring smiles to Ugandan patients,” he said. “You must build an independent Uganda. We are working on the vaccine and treatment by ourselves.”

Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng said the trial will also validate content standardization and replication, after which, it will be rolled out for industrial production and widespread use.

“The product has already gone through quality assurance steps and got all the necessary certificates and approval for use in human beings. The product has been approved by the National Drug Authority, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and National Council of Science and Technology,” said Aceng.

There are 39,188 confirmed infections, with 433 active cases and 318 deaths from the virus in Uganda.