The National Drug Authority (NDA) has joined forces with Tooro Kingdom in a collaborative effort to conserve medicinal trees and plants in Tooro Sub-region. The partnership aims to promote the use of traditional medicine in Uganda, ensuring its quality meets required standards.
Dr Medard Bitekerezo, Chairman of NDA, highlighted the significance of the collaboration by emphasizing the need for continuous training for traditional medicine stakeholders. The NDA, in 2023, signed a memorandum of understanding with Tooro Kingdom and conducted training sessions for over 100 herbalists to uphold the quality and standards of traditional medicine.
During the handover of furniture worth Shs20 million to Tooro Kingdom in Fort Portal City, Dr Bitekerezo stressed the importance of setting standards as more people turn to herbal medicine. He expressed the goal of ensuring that individuals involved in traditional medicine meet the required standards, drawing a connection to the longevity observed in previous generations who relied on herbal remedies.
The partnership between NDA and Tooro Kingdom extends beyond promoting traditional medicine. Both institutions are actively addressing drug abuse and the unauthorized hawking of medicines in the region. Financial support will be provided to the kingdom to enhance its efforts against drug abuse and foster a positive mindset change among affected individuals.
In response to the smuggling of government drugs to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Dr Bitekerezo announced proactive measures. New NDA offices in Fort Portal City aim to improve coordination in combatting the illegal trade of Ugandan drugs. Recent arrests have been made to tackle individuals involved in such activities.
Tooro Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister-in-Charge of Finance and Administration, Mr William Kwemera Ngabu, emphasized the urgent need to address drug abuse, citing its contribution to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the region.
