By Akena Martin
The Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga, has praised the National Medical Stores (NMS) for its state-of-the-art facility in Kajjansi, the largest government-owned medical warehouse in Africa. He commended the organisation for harnessing technology to improve the delivery of essential medicines across Uganda with remarkable efficiency and transparency.
The commendation came during a visit by over 30 government communicators from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to the NMS Head Office. The tour aimed to demonstrate the critical role NMS plays in strengthening Uganda’s healthcare system.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Kabyanga expressed his admiration for the operations. “This warehouse in Kajjansi is not only a source of national pride but a clear sign of the government’s commitment to strengthening the health supply chain and improving the lives of our people,” he said.
The minister also emphasised the importance of communication in governance, encouraging the delegates to amplify messages about government programmes. “When citizens understand what their government is doing for them, trust grows, and the impact of our efforts is multiplied,” he noted.
A key highlight of the visit was a demonstration of the NMS Delivery Monitoring Tool (DMT), a digital platform that allows stakeholders and the public to track the delivery of medicines in real time to every corner of the country.
Mr Moses Kamabare, NMS General Manager, explained how the system promotes full supply chain transparency. “Through the DMT, SMS notifications about medicine dispatch and delivery are sent directly to RDCs, MPs, CAOs, DHOs, and DISOs. This equips officials to monitor deliveries and ensure that medicines are properly utilised,” he said.
He added, “Combined with GPS-enabled NMS trucks and strategically placed cameras in our vehicles, this technology ensures transparency from dispatch to delivery, improving accountability and building trust with stakeholders and the public.”
Beyond technology, Mr Kamabare stressed the importance of preventive healthcare. “Medicines are vital, but prevention is even better. More than 75% of diseases in Uganda are preventable. As communicators, you have the power to share messages that help citizens live healthier lives,” he urged.
The visit underscored the powerful synergy between logistical innovation and strategic communication. It demonstrated how NMS, responsible for procuring, storing, and distributing medicines to over 3,400 government health facilities, is delivering on its mandate with excellence and transparency.
The event served as a reminder that communicating these achievements effectively fosters public trust, promotes accountability, and contributes to a healthier nation, bringing the human impact of these efforts into clear focus.
