Researchers from different organizations have appealed to the government through their different arms to support the promotion and usage of traditional medicine as a local means of sustaining health.

The researchers noted that the global consumption of herbal medicine in the treatment of diseases is increasing, posing a great need for governments to come in and support collaborations and scientists with resources that will enable them to develop these medicines into better products that will save people from the burden of incurring high costs in hospitals.

The researchers reported that over 60% of Ugandans depend on herbal medicines to treat diseases. James Tumusiime- the director of Igongo Cultural Centre noted that research has proved that traditional; medicine is more effective in treating diseases and said there is a need to extract and enhance these medicines and make them available all over the countries.

He said people’s innovations and collaborations in traditional medicines need to be financed to strengthen their ability to produce good quantities and qualities of herbal products.

The researchers made the call in a meeting they held at Igongo Cultural Centre to share ideas on how to improve traditional medicines under Traditional medicine in transition, a project they will implement in three years.

Prof Mauda Kamatenesi, a researcher and former VC Bishop Stuart University, encouraged people to get involved in growing herb plants and establish herb gardens in their backyards at home. She said they aim to work with the government and Ministry of Health and other government organs to promote the endogenous knowledge that can be conserved. The move they said will also be one way of conserving the environment.

During the implementation of the project, these will establish different forums including organizing exhibitions and establishing medicinal gardens at museums including Uganda Museum and Igongo Cultural Centre Museum and with exhibitions of herbal medicines which will give people a platform to go and study the plants of value.

Amon Mugume from Uganda Museum said they will go to schools, and institutions and tell people to be partners in promoting traditional medicine.

They also challenged people to bring in their plants so that they could be domesticated. These will also carry out outreach programs and take exhibitions in the communities, and the move is one way of professionalizing traditional medicine to the level it can be appreciated. They will also address the context of how communities are interacting with these drugs before and now.