By Leonard Kamugisha Akida and Mutesi Phionah Uwase,
KAMPALA
The Executive Director of Kazire Herbal Products Ltd, Edward Kazaire has raised concerns over the negative perception of herbal medicine in Uganda, noting that the stigma associating it with witchcraft is hindering innovation and acceptance in the healthcare sector.
Speaking exclusively to Parrots Media, he emphasized the need for a shift in public perception, urging Ugandans to recognize natural therapeutics as legitimate medicine backed by scientific research.
“Herbal medicine in Uganda is often unstandardized, poorly packaged, and wrongly associated with witchcraft. The government must recognize that traditional herbs are legitimate medicines, not superstition,” he said.
According to him, public perception of herbal medicines as witchcraft does not only affect the ability of herbalists to innovate but also damages public trust in natural therapeutics. He appealed to the public to embrace the value of natural remedies as part of mainstream healthcare.
He further highlighted the economic potential of herbal medicine, noting that with proper regulation, standardization, and government support, Uganda could tap into the global herbal medicine market, currently valued at over $216 billion.
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The call comes amid growing efforts to integrate herbal medicine into Uganda’s healthcare system, with recent clinical trials showing promising results for locally developed remedies such as Vidicine herbal and Tazcov developed by Kazire Herbal Products limited and Busitema University, respectively, targeting respiratory illnesses.
Experts argue that addressing misconceptions and improving regulatory frameworks could pave the way for increased investment in the sector.
Additionally, Kazaire urged the government to support scientists and foster collaborations with universities and research centres to facilitate clinical trials for natural therapeutics and other innovations.
As Uganda continues to explore alternative healthcare solutions, stakeholders in the herbal medicine industry are pushing for policies that support research, innovation, and commercialization of natural therapeutics.
