Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil), a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Luzira, Kampala, has held a certificate award ceremony to celebrate 45 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) interns, including eight from Namibia, who successfully completed the company’s prestigious internship programme.
The event, held at Qcil’s WHO-prequalified manufacturing plant, was presided over by Qcil Founder and Board Director, George Baguma. It marked a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent across Africa through practical, industry-level training in pharmaceutical production.
“We are proud to nurture the next generation of pharmaceutical talent,” Mr Baguma remarked during the ceremony. “This programme equips young people not only with technical skills but also the confidence and mindset to innovate, lead, and thrive.”
The certificate handover was a moment of recognition and encouragement, celebrating the interns’ successful transition from academic study to real-world industry exposure. The event also underscored the importance of regional collaborations — particularly between Uganda and Namibia — in building a sustainable and skilled pharmaceutical workforce across the continent.
Harrison Kiggundu, Qcil’s Head of Human Resources, praised the calibre of students involved. “We are always honoured that universities across Uganda and Africa entrust us with the responsibility of sharpening their students’ skills through our world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing practices. These students have shown incredible promise to become the next generation of pharmaceutical professionals our continent can rely on to strengthen its health systems.”
Qcil’s internship programme offers students a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a WHO-prequalified pharmaceutical facility. This year’s cohort received intensive training in drug formulation, production quality standards, and pharmaceutical innovation — bridging the gap between classroom theory and practical application.
The programme is part of Qcil’s broader vision to become a centre of excellence in the production of high-quality, affordable medicines in Africa. By targeting STEM students, Qcil aims to cultivate a pipeline of skilled African professionals equipped to boost healthcare self-sufficiency and drive innovation across the region.
Offered annually, the internship programme opens for applications mid-year and welcomes students from universities across Uganda and, increasingly, from the wider African region. Through this initiative, Qcil continues to shape the future of healthcare by investing in Africa’s brightest scientific minds.
