Standing proudly beside our newly refurbished building, Dr Alice Hope Banga smiles as
she recalls how far she has come.
“ This building… we had only the first floor for 20 years,” she says with a nostalgic laugh. Today, that humble start has grown into ERAM Uganda Limited, one of the country’s pioneering indigenous veterinary pharmaceutical companies and a testament to her grit, vision, and lifelong love for animals.
A father’s influence Dr Banga’s story begins with a name — and a decision that shaped her identity.
“My father was my greatest inspiration,” she says. “ I changed my name in Primary Seven to Banga because I wanted to carry his legacy.” Her father, Bernard Banga, was initially uncomfortable with the idea of his daughter adopting his name, but he later embraced it.
“By the time he passed away in 2009, he was very proud of my decision,” she says softly.
Her academic journey led her to Makerere University, where she graduated with a degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1984. Straight after, she joined the public service, working across several districts, such as from Rukungiri to Mukono, Entebbe, Mpigi, Buwambo and eventually Wakiso. Yet, even as she served for over 15 years, her entrepreneurial spirit tugged at her heart.
From public service to private enterprise
“In government, they wanted us to sit in offices from morning to evening,” she recalls. “ But as a veterinarian, your real work is in the field; meeting farmers, diagnosing animals, solving problems. And yet, we lacked the tools to do the job.”
This frustration became the seed of a new vision.
Between 1990 to 1993, when government divested itself from supplying livestock drugs, Dr Banga saw an opportunity to fill the gap. Together with a few colleagues, she co-founded ERAM Uganda Limited, determined to provide quality veterinary tools and medicines to field veterinarians and farmers alike.
“ I had already gained exposure through a government-sponsored trip to Holland in 1990,” she ex- plains. “ I visited suppliers in Belgium, Holland, and Kenya, learning where to source reliable products. By the time ERAM started, I had a clear idea of where to go and what to bring in.”
The timing could not have been better. With the National Drug Authority(NDA)being established and the government stepping back from drug distribution, the environment was ripe for private players. “ There was a vacuum,” she says. “ We stepped in to serve farmers and veterinarians who needed dependable supplies.”
Founding ERAM
Before ERAM’s formal registration, Dr Banga was already running a small shop at Container Village in Kampala. “ I was older than most of my colleagues,” she laughs. “ I had started small, and when Edward came in, he partnered with Richard Mucunguzi, a vet. That’s how we joined forces, not through family ties, but through shared purpose.”
Pooling their limited resources, they travelled together to purchase supplies, later dividing the products among their shops. In 1995, they officially registered ERAM Uganda Limited, becoming the first recognised veterinary pharmacy in the country.
Back then, the market was awash with counterfeit and adulterated products. “ People were selling all sorts of things not meant for animals,” she says. “NDA came in to regulate us and ensure that what- ever reached farmers was safe. That is because, at the end of the day, what affects animals affects humans through the food chain.”
Growth, milestones, and national impact
Over the years, ERAM has grown into a trusted name among farmers acrossUganda.“Whoever owns an animal, whether a cow, pig, goat, or pet, knows ERAM,” Dr Banga says proudly. “We have helped farmers improve productivity and sup- ported veterinarians with the right tools for their work.”
Beyond business, ERAM has contributed significantly to Uganda’s economy, employing over 50 staff, supporting professional veterinarians, and paying millions in taxes each month. “ We’ve given liveli-hoods to many families,” she adds. “I have also grown; I now have a home, other enterprises, and a sense of fulfilment.”
ERAM has also expanded beyond distribution to manufacturing, with a factory in Lugazi producing local veterinary products. “ From sourcing to producing; that’s real progress. ERAM now has a home,” she says.
The human side: Compassion and excellence
Dr Banga’s compassion is not limited to animals. She confesses that her decision not to study human medicine was a matter of emotion.
“At Namagunga, I realised I couldn’t handle seeing sick people or losing a patient. If a child died in my hands, I’d cry for a week. But with animals, you grieve, then move on.”
Still, in her later years, her com- passion has come full circle. Through SPES International Hospital, with branches in Namugongo and Kitintale, she is now contributing to human healthcare.
“I’m employing doctors, mid- wives, radiologists, lab technicians, and I’m importing the best equipment,” she says. “I was raised to pursue excellence in everything.”
Challenges and reflections Like any entrepreneur, Dr Banga has faced challenges. From un- committed employees to shifting government policies and heavy taxation.
“ Managing people is tough. We had to learn business management on the job,” she admits.
She hopes the government can make the business environment more conducive, particularly for farmers.
“Access to affordable credit is still a big problem. Even 10 percent interest is high for most farmers,” she argues.
Celebrating ERAM’s legacy
This year marks ERAM’s 30th anniversary, a celebration that has stretched across regions. “ We’ve been celebrating our farmers — training and appreciating them,” she says.
“This final event is just the climax. We also celebrate the public be- cause they support the farmers who feed us all. Like the government says: Buy Uganda, Build Uganda.”
From a small shop in Container Village to a nationwide enterprise, DrBanga’s journey mirrors Uganda’s own transformation. Her unwavering passion for animals, her entrepreneurial courage, and her belief in excellence have not only built ERAM but also inspired generations of veterinarians and entrepreneurs.
“When I see farmers prospering because of our products,” she says, her eyes lighting up, “I know our work has not been in vain.”
