Rwanda and Uganda have signed a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement on pharmaceutical products setting forth confirmation and desire to promote an attractive investment climate in their respective territories and to expand and diversify trade of pharmaceutical products.

François Kanimba, the Minister of Trade and Industry, signed the deal on behalf of Rwanda, while Uganda was represented by Amelia Kyambadde, the Minister for Trade, Industry and Co-operatives.

This agreement comes after the visit by President Paul Kagame to Uganda in January, 2012, where he visited Quality Chemicals Industry, a leading pharmaceutical plant in Uganda. During the visit, Uganda requested Rwanda to consider granting Quality Chemicals Industry access to Rwanda‘s market of anti-retroviral, anti-malarial and other drugs.

Quality Chemicals Industry also committed to work with Rwanda to build a plant to make other essential drugs other than those manufactured in Uganda. 

Kanimba said both parties agreed on "a set of items that include the promotion of trade and exchange of information in pharmaceutical products with a framework to promote medical research and development of pharmaceutical industry”. He added that both parties will co-operate in utilising available policy options to facilitate market access for pharmaceutical companies established in both countries.

Both parties also agreed to establish a joint committee in pharmaceutical sector to monitor bilateral trade and investment in pharmaceutical products and work to remove impediments to trade and investment between both countries. 

Kyambadde welcomed the agreement, noting that it will enhance the bonds of friendship and a spirit of co-operation in the pharmaceutical sector between Rwanda and Uganda, while ensuring access to medicines and other pharmaceutical modern technology for both countries.