XRP Healthcare Takes Over Pharma Ville to Transform Uganda’s Pharmaceutical Sector
XRP Healthcare, a global leader in healthcare innovation, has officially acquired Pharma Ville, a prominent retail and wholesale pharmacy chain in Uganda with its aim to transform healthcare delivery in emerging markets through integrating digital innovation with pharmaceutical distribution.
The acquisition marks a significant milestone in XRP Healthcare’s expansion into Africa, broadening its presence beyond the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
With Uganda’s healthcare sector evolving rapidly, XRP Healthcare’s entry lays the groundwork for scalable, technology-driven pharmaceutical distribution across the continent.
“Uganda’s fragmented pharmaceutical landscape presents immense potential. By integrating Pharma Ville, we can immediately improve access to essential medicines and optimize healthcare delivery,” said Kain Roomes, CEO of XRP Healthcare.
Africa’s healthcare market projected to reach $259 billion by 2030, XRP Healthcare is strategically positioned to capitalize on this growth, particularly within the digital health sector, which is expected to hit $16.6 billion.
Pharma Ville plays a crucial role in Uganda’s healthcare industry, collaborating with the National Medical Stores (NMS) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) to ensure a steady supply of essential medicines.
The company operates two retail pharmacies and five wholesale distribution centers, strategically positioned to enhance medicine accessibility nationwide.Through this acquisition, XRP Healthcare streamlines pharmaceutical supply chains and strengthens its foothold in Africa.
The deal includes 60 registered pharmaceutical products, 18 products ready for immediate commercialization, and 70 additional products in the pipeline pending regulatory approval.
Making his remarks,Richard Kitonsa (MPS), Founder and CEO of Pharma Ville, described the acquisition as a game-changer for Uganda’s healthcare system.
“Joining XRP Healthcare is transformative. We can now rapidly scale our operations, introduce innovative technologies, and better serve Uganda’s healthcare needs,” he said.
By Q4 2025, Pharma Ville will officially rebrand as XRP Healthcare, aligning with the company’s vision for innovation and healthcare excellence.A major aspect of this transformation is the XRPH AI app, a multilingual digital healthcare assistant integrated into Pharma Ville’s platform (www.pharmaville.ai).
The app provides medical guidance in Luganda, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, French, and English, with an upcoming feature allowing users to upload images of medical conditions for AI-assisted assessments and referrals to healthcare professionals.
Concurrently,Peter Waswa, a strategic advisor to UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and XRP Healthcare, praised the acquisition for its broader impact on Uganda’s healthcare sector.
“This acquisition strengthens Uganda’s healthcare system, fosters economic growth, and introduces essential technologies to the industry. It’s a major step forward for healthcare accessibility,” Waswa stated.
The acquisition will bring immediate operational upgrades, including,advanced inventory management to optimize supply chains, upgraded licensing to expand product offerings, enhanced distribution channels for wider reach, digital payment integration for seamless transactions and new CRM systems to improve customer engagement
Meanwhile,Laban Roomes, COO of XRP Healthcare, revealed that the company has spent significant time in Uganda developing the legal and operational frameworks necessary for rapid expansion.
“We have done the groundwork to scale within Uganda, and our efforts will drive long-term improvements in healthcare accessibility,” he emphasized.
The transaction was legally facilitated by Shonubi Musoke & Co. Advocates, one of Uganda’s top law firms, in partnership with Norton Rose Fulbright, ensuring a smooth regulatory transition.
Additionally, Pharma Ville’s distribution agreements with eight global pharmaceutical suppliers, including Toros Group (Switzerland), Ascensia Switzerland (Germany), Incepta Pharmaceuticals (Bangladesh), and Universal Corporation Limited (Kenya), further strengthen its supply chain network.With XRP Healthcare’s strategic vision and Pharma Ville’s established infrastructure, this acquisition sets the stage for a new era of accessible, technology-driven healthcare solutions in Uganda and beyond.
By Felix Wandera
