Uganda’s animal-health industry has received a regional boost after ERAM Uganda Limited was named Best Veterinary Company in East Africa at the 2026 East Africa Brand Quality Awards, earning the Platinum Award and Quality Seal of Excellence.
The company received the recognition during a ceremony held at Hotel Africana’s Nile Hall in Kampala on Friday, October 16, 2026. The award marks ERAM’s first time receiving the regional distinction and comes as the company celebrates 31 years of operations in Uganda’s animal-health sector.
Founded in 1995, ERAM has grown from a small veterinary-products business in Kampala’s Container Village into an established animal-health company supplying veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, equipment and supplements to farmers and veterinary professionals across Uganda.
The latest recognition highlights the company’s growth ambitions, including expanding its manufacturing capacity, strengthening product quality and pursuing opportunities in regional markets.
The sixth edition of the East Africa Brand Quality Awards brought together businesses and industry leaders from nine countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Ethiopia.
The awards recognise businesses across various sectors, with assessments covering product quality, affordability, reliability, customer care, consumer confidence, technology adoption, leadership, sustainability, economic performance and community contribution.
According to the organisers, ERAM was nominated by members of the public before undergoing evaluation by an expert panel.
For a company operating in animal health, the recognition carries significance beyond commercial success. Veterinary products play an important role in animal welfare, livestock productivity and the livelihoods of farming communities that depend on healthy animals for income and food security.
Dr Alice Hope Banga, ERAM’s Director of Finance and Administration and co-founder, said the award reinforced the importance of maintaining high standards in an industry where product quality can directly affect animal health and farmers’ livelihoods.
“In animal health, quality has consequences beyond the transaction between a supplier and a customer. It affects the health of animals, the productivity of farmers and the confidence people place in the products they use,” Banga said.
She added that quality assurance, reliability and responsible business practices remained central to the company’s operations.
“Receiving this award in our 31st year is an important milestone, but it also reminds us that recognition must be matched by consistent performance,” she said.
ERAM was founded by veterinary professionals Edward Muhigirwa, who serves as Managing Director, and Dr Banga, with the aim of improving access to veterinary products in Uganda.
Over the years, the company has expanded its operations and established its headquarters at ERAM House on Plot 3, Hoima Road, Bakuli, alongside additional operations and a manufacturing plant in Lugazi.
Its growth reflects the opportunities available for Ugandan businesses to strengthen local production of animal-health products, develop technical expertise and reduce reliance on external supply chains while exploring markets beyond the country.
The Quality Seal of Excellence is intended to increase the visibility of recognised businesses and connect them to business networks, investment opportunities, import and export markets, and expansion platforms across East and Southern Africa.
For ERAM, the recognition could provide an opportunity to showcase its products, technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities to a wider regional audience.
The company has also established relationships with international manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, veterinarians, financiers and farmers. In addition to supplying products, it supports farmer training and professional development within the animal-health sector.
ERAM’s Human Resource Manager, Diana Tumuheirwe, said investment in employees was essential to maintaining product and service standards as the business expanded.
“A company cannot consistently deliver excellent results without investing in the people responsible for those results. It begins with recruiting individuals who have the right skills and values, treating them fairly and creating an environment where they can contribute, learn and grow,” Tumuheirwe said.
She noted that training, employee welfare and professional development help improve productivity, customer service and the quality of support provided to farmers and veterinary practitioners.
“When employees are supported, trained and empowered to take ownership of their work, the benefits extend to the customer. As ERAM grows, we continue developing our people so that our standards, productivity and service improve alongside the business,” she added.
The award follows ERAM’s 30th-anniversary celebrations in October 2025, when the company unveiled its new headquarters and reflected on its contribution to Uganda’s livestock sector.
During the celebrations, Minister of State for Animal Industry Lt. Col. (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama urged agricultural manufacturers to maintain high quality standards, embrace technology and invest in environmentally sustainable production.
He also called for greater investment in research, local manufacturing and the training of future veterinary professionals.
These priorities remain relevant as Uganda seeks to strengthen its livestock value chain, improve access to reliable veterinary products and expand the role of domestic businesses in regional markets.
For ERAM, the Platinum Award comes at a significant stage in its development, as it seeks to build on three decades of operations through manufacturing, innovation, workforce development and regional expansion.
Managing Director Edward Muhigirwa said the recognition had strengthened the company’s confidence in the potential of Ugandan enterprise.
The award places ERAM among the businesses seeking to demonstrate that locally established companies can build strong technical capabilities, maintain quality standards and compete for recognition across East Africa.
