Smart Applications International Ltd has launched Smart PharmaLink, a digital pharmacy management platform designed to transform pharmacy operations through automation, real-time information and integrated healthcare technology.The platform was unveiled at the Uganda Healthcare Providers CEOs Forum held at Hotel Africana in Kampala, where healthcare executives and sector stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of healthcare delivery and the growing role of technology in the sector.
Judy Elaine Mugoya, Country Manager of Smart Uganda, said the launch comes at a significant moment for Uganda’s healthcare system, which is increasingly being shaped by rapid growth in digital connectivity and technology adoption.Mugoya highlighted Uganda’s expanding digital landscape, noting that the country now has more than 43 million active mobile subscriptions, with mobile penetration nearing 88 percent. Smartphone subscriptions have also risen from 7.6 million in 2020 to more than 18 million in 2024, while internet users have exceeded 15 million.She said the growing connectivity provides an opportunity for healthcare providers to move beyond traditional systems and embrace technology capable of improving efficiency, accountability and access to services.
She stressed that the challenge now is determining how quickly Uganda can digitise healthcare and the stakeholders who will drive that transformation.According to Mugoya, Smart PharmaLink is intended to give pharmacy managers and healthcare administrators access to real-time operational data, enabling them to make informed decisions, improve efficiency, minimise fraud and strengthen cash-flow management.She added that effective healthcare digitisation requires different systems to communicate and share information seamlessly.
By connecting people, processes and data, Smart PharmaLink is expected to support a more coordinated healthcare environment while leveraging Uganda’s high mobile penetration to extend services to underserved communities.Paul Mbaka, Commissioner for Health Information Management at the Ministry of Health, emphasised that reliable healthcare data is increasingly essential for sound decision-making, efficient resource allocation and improved performance. He said connecting people, processes and information can strengthen healthcare operations while creating better experiences for patients.
