Piston Medical Limited (PML) marked a defining moment in Uganda’s healthcare journey with the official launch of PISTOMAG East Africa’s first locally manufactured Magnesium Sulphate Injection, at our factory in Namanve Industrial Park.
The launch took place alongside the Maternal Health Dialogue, a gathering of government leaders, healthcare professionals, partners, and media, all united around one goal: reducing preventable maternal deaths caused by preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Government Leaders Turn Up in Force
The day drew some of Uganda’s most senior government officials, a signal of just how significant this milestone is for the country’s healthcare and industrial ambitions.
Rt. Hon. Chrispus Kiyonga, Second Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, officially launched the product. In his remarks, he commended Piston Medical for its dedication to producing affordable, world-class medicines locally, and challenged the gynaecologists in attendance to uphold Uganda’s clinical standards as the country builds its manufacturing capacity.
Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of Health, and Hon. Amina Mukalazi, Minister of State for Privatization and Investment, also graced the occasion. Hon. Mukalazi commended the innovation as world-class, and called on Government to extend every possible support toward saving mothers’ lives.
An Educative Moment
Beyond the ceremony, guests were treated to a knowledge-sharing session led by Moses Adroma, who broke down the science and impact behind PISTOMAG in the fight against preeclampsia and eclampsia a reminder that awareness is as critical to saving lives as access to treatment.
From Importer to Manufacturer
PISTOMAG’s launch is the latest chapter in a longer story. PML began as a medical distributor in 2008, before pivoting to local manufacturing in 2020, a decision shaped by government incentives and a clear market need for affordable, quality medicines across Africa. Today, PML has six products commercialized, sixteen permitted for manufacture by the National Drug Authority, and plans to scale to a portfolio of 120 products, backed by a 3x increase in manufacturing capacity.
A Factory Tour That Told the Real Story
Guests didn’t just hear about PML’s capabilities they saw them. An exclusive tour of our factory floor gave visitors a firsthand look at the standards behind every bottle: WHO GMP-certified production lines manufacturing IV fluids and parenteral medicines for hospitals and health facilities across the region.
Why This Moment Matters
Preeclampsia and eclampsia remain leading causes of maternal death in Uganda and across the region. Magnesium Sulphate is the frontline drug used to manage these conditions, and until now, it has largely depended on imports. With PISTOMAG now manufactured locally, the distance between diagnosis and treatment shrinks, and that distance is often where lives are lost.
As Africa’s leading manufacturer of IV fluids, Piston Medical Limited continues to build toward a future where quality, affordable, life-saving medicines are made right here, for our people, by our people.
A Word of Thanks
None of this would have been possible without the guests, dignitaries, partners, media, and healthcare professionals who joined us, and the team behind the scenes who turned months of planning into a single, historic day.
Piston in Every Drop.
