The Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat – Office of the President (STI-OP), through the Pathogen Economy Bureau, today conducted a profiling, documentation and mapping exercise for natural therapeutics at Kabale University, bringing together indigenous scientists (herbalists), researchers, STI-OP supported common user facilities, regulators and innovators from Kampala to Kigezi region.
The engagement focused on identifying locally developed natural therapeutics, documenting indigenous knowledge and equipping innovators with knowledge on product standardisation, branding, packaging and National Drug Authority requirements. Product exhibitions and data collection provided an opportunity to identify promising therapeutics for further scientific assessment and standardisation process.
As part of the Western Uganda exercise targeting more than 580 indigenous scientists across regional engagements (Kigezi, Ankole, Bunyoro, Tooro, Rwenzori), the findings will inform a prototype National Natural Therapeutics Database and guide product selection for laboratory analysis and potential clinical validation through the Clinical Trials for Natural Therapeutics (CONAT) platform. This exercise also informs the process of developing a commercialisation Model/Framework for herbal medicine which the Hon Minister Hon Eng Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki is championing with guidance from his excellency, the President of republic of Uganda.
Through stronger collaboration with universities and research institutions, STI-OP seeks to translate Uganda’s biodiversity and indigenous knowledge into evidence-based health products that support national health security, enterprise development, import substitution and export promotion.
