The Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat – Office of the President (STI-OP), through its Pathogen Economy Bureau, continues its Western Uganda natural therapeutics profiling exercise at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) on 10 November 2026, bringing together stakeholders from Ankole, Tooro, Rwenzori and Bunyoro. The exercise reached 520+ herbalists in these regions and all convened at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
The engagement combines stakeholder discussions, training, product exhibitions and data collection to strengthen the pathway from indigenous knowledge to scientifically assessed, standardised and commercially viable health products. Innovators will receive guidance on regulatory requirements and opportunities to connect with specialised research facilities for phytochemical analysis, toxicity screening and in vitro studies.
The exercise builds on earlier engagements in Eastern and Northern Uganda that collectively reached more than 1,330 indigenous scientists, linking over 25 innovators to phytochemical and toxicity screening, 27 ventures for Intellectual Property Protection registration (Patents, Copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets) at Uganda Registration Services Bureau and more than 84 to in vitro studies at Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).
Data gathered will contribute to a prototype National Natural Therapeutics Database, helping guide research, investment and the selection of promising products for potential clinical validation through CONAT. Partnerships with regional universities will support sustained research collaboration and strengthen opportunities for local production, jobs and market access.
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