MBARARA
Traditional herbalists in the country have appealed to the government through Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to offer them all lands on road reserves so as to plant herbal trees and plants.
The appeal was made yesterday by the President for National Council of Traditional Healers and Herbalist Association (NACOTHA) Professor Alex Biomark Tugume Twijukye during the graduation of herbalists from western Uganda who have been attending a one year course geared towards ensuring safe and quality herbal medicine practice.
The graduation took place at Development Study centre Kakoba in Mbarara city South division.
Professor Twijukye said providing them with these reserve areas to plant trees and plants of medicinal value will besides giving the resource for herbal medicine help in conserving the environment, protect these lands against encroachment, reduce accidents and promote tourism.
He said as NACOTHA they are trying to conserve the environment because their work directly affects the environment because they majorly use plants and trees but added lack of land is hindering their cause.
Dr Asuman Nuwamanya, the western region NACOTHA chairperson western region also made a similar appeal also urging local governments to allocate them land to at least have an acre of herbal medicine demonstration farm in every district.
On training of herbalists, Professor herbal medicine like any other medicine needs to be safe for the users by ensuring proper safety and quality of that medicine.
Hajjati Hadija Mbabazi NACOTHA head of inspection one of the course units, they were skilled in proper drug storage, prescription, hygiene and drugs preservation.
Officiating at the graduation where over 50 herbalists were awarded with certificates, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner Mbarara city south Mr Aruho Moses commended the herbalists endeavouring to acquire knowledge in and skills in drugs management before adding anything to do with human life like drugs needs careful handling.
He encouraged them to rally all their colleagues in this trade to also go for further skills and training but also work towards those who are in this business of herbal drugs illegally.
Mr Aruho promised government support to ensure herbal medicine to quality standards.
