DUBAI, March 12, 2025 – XRP Healthcare announced Tuesday it has acquired Pharma Ville, a leading Ugandan pharmacy chain, marking the company’s entry into Africa’s burgeoning healthcare sector.
The acquisition, facilitated by Ugandan law firm Shonubi, Musoke & Co. Advocates, aims to enhance medicine accessibility across Uganda through Pharma Ville’s established network of two retail pharmacies and five wholesale distribution centers.
Pharma Ville’s infrastructure, strategically positioned across Uganda, is expected to strengthen XRP Healthcare’s ability to streamline pharmaceutical supply chains and expand its footprint in Africa’s healthcare market.
The acquired company plays a pivotal role in Uganda’s healthcare sector, working closely with the National Medical Stores (NMS) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) to ensure a steady and reliable supply of essential medicines.
The acquisition includes 60 registered pharmaceutical products, 18 products ready for immediate commercialization, and 70 additional products in the pipeline awaiting regulatory approval.
Pharma Ville has distribution agreements with eight global pharmaceutical suppliers, reinforcing its strong supply chain network. These suppliers include Toros Group (Switzerland), Ascensia Switzerland (Germany), Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Bangladesh), Amanta Health Care Limited (India), Forans Latvia (Latvia), Meditek (Turkey), Naari Pharma Pvt Limited (India), and Universal Corporation Limited (Kenya).
Pharma Ville founder and CEO Richard Kitonsa hailed the acquisition as “transformative,” enabling the company to rapidly scale operations, introduce innovative technologies, and better serve Uganda’s healthcare needs.
“Joining XRP Healthcare is transformative. We can now rapidly scale our operations, introduce innovative technologies, and better serve Uganda’s healthcare needs,” Kitonsa said.
XRP Healthcare chairman Whitney Lynn emphasized the company’s mission to make essential medicines more accessible and affordable.
“Our goal is simple – make essential medicines more accessible and affordable. This acquisition is a major step toward achieving that,” Lynn said.
XRP Healthcare CEO Kain Roomes highlighted the immense potential within Uganda’s fragmented pharmaceutical landscape.
“Uganda’s fragmented pharmaceutical landscape presents immense potential. By integrating Pharma Ville, we can deliver immediate impact – improving access to essential medicines and optimizing healthcare delivery,” Roomes said.
XRP Healthcare COO Laban Roomes emphasized the groundwork laid for expansion.
“We have spent significant time in Uganda developing the legal and operational frameworks necessary to scale this business rapidly. Our efforts will drive long-term improvements in healthcare accessibility,” Laban Roomes said.
Pharma Ville will undergo immediate operational upgrades, including advanced inventory management, upgraded licensing, enhanced distribution channels, digital payment integration, and new CRM systems.
By the fourth quarter, Pharma Ville will rebrand as XRP Healthcare, aligning with the company’s vision for innovation and healthcare excellence.
The XRPH AI app, a multilingual healthcare assistant, is already live and integrated into Pharma Ville’s digital platform. The AI-driven tool provides medical guidance in Luganda, Swandi, Kinyarwanda, French, and English.
In an upcoming update, users will be able to upload images of medical conditions for AI-assisted preliminary assessments, with direct referrals to healthcare professionals for critical cases.
Peter Waiswa, a strategic advisor to UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and now XRP Healthcare, praised the acquisition’s significance.
“This acquisition strengthens Uganda’s healthcare sector, fosters economic growth, and introduces essential technologies to the industry. It’s a major step forward for healthcare accessibility in Uganda,” Waiswa said.
With Africa’s healthcare market projected to reach $259 billion by 2030, and the digital health segment – encompassing AI-driven solutions – expected to grow to $16.6 billion, XRP Healthcare is strategically positioned to capitalize on these transformative opportunities.
XRP Healthcare holds registered trademarks in Uganda, the UAE, and the UK, with ongoing global registrations, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and brand excellence.
