Mr. Obson Julius Mkeya
Head, Mwanza Laboratory
Mr. Obson J. Mkeya is a biotechnologist with a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). Currently, he is advancing his expertise through a Master’s degree in Molecular Biomedical Engineering at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST). His academic and research focus encompasses Advanced instrumentation, molecular diagnostics and device development, as well as nanoscience, advanced biological thermodynamics, microbiology engineering, protein design and modelling, and drug discovery, with a particular emphasis on vaccine development, therapeutic design, and drug delivery systems by utilizing nanotechnology.
Mr. Mkeya has pursued specialized professional development courses in Pharmaceutical analysis under USP-Ghana, Quality control, and analytical method validation under the accreditation of NLA-SA. He has also completed training in pharmaceutical microbiology assays, ISO 17025:2017 quality management systems for testing laboratories, WHO prequalification training, and vaccine technology transfer as part of the AUDA-NEPAD initiative, which aims to strengthen Africa’s regional medical resilience.
In his professional capacity, Mr. Mkeya serves as the Head of Laboratory at TMDA Mwanza Laboratory, where he manages and oversees all laboratory analyses conducted on behalf of the TMDA.
Mwanza Laboratory, located at the Lake Zone Eastern Office in Mwanza, was established to bring laboratory services closer to the public and enhance their accessibility. The laboratory serves the regions of Mwanza, Geita, Shinyanga, Kagera, Mara, and Simiyu, supporting the quality, safety, and effectiveness of regulated products in the area.
Quality Management system
The laboratory implements a Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and other recommended standards. It is currently undergoing audit proceedings for accreditation, underscoring its commitment to achieving internationally recognized quality standards. This initiative reflects the strong dedication of both TMDA management and laboratory leadership to excellence, ensuring that all testing processes are reliable, traceable, and fully aligned with TMDA’s mission to safeguard public health.
Laboratory Personnel
Qualified and competent staff are employed and subjected to regular training as per approved training programme and proficiency testing scheme for competence assessment. Mwanza Quality Control Laboratory has 10 staffs with various qualifications as follows:
| Master’s degree | 1 |
| Bachelor degree | 7 |
| Diploma | 2 |
| Certificate | 1 |
Laboratory Sections
The Mwanza laboratory is subdivided into two main sections:
- Medicines Chemical Analysis – responsible for chemical testing of regulated and non-regulated products.
- Microbiology Analysis – responsible for microbiological testing of products, including quality control of pharmaceuticals and biocidals.
The laboratory is equipped with modern instruments to serve as a centre of excellence for testing biocidals and other health-related products.
Equipment Highlights
Key instruments at the Mwanza laboratory include:
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatographs (HPLCs)
- Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- UV-Visible Spectrophotometers
- Micro Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP-AES)
- Dissolution Test Apparatus
- Steam Sterilizers & Autoclaves
Collaboration and Research
The laboratory is open and welcoming to researchers, students, and other stakeholders, offering access to its facilities for testing activities and research purposes.
For detailed information on fees and charges for our services, click here.