Soroti, Uganda | Herbal medicine practitioners in the Teso sub-region are being urged to modernize their operations by complying with government regulations, improving production standards, and embracing formal registration to safeguard public health.
The appeal came during a National Drug Authority (NDA) training workshop at Sparrow Hotel, Soroti City, which gathered practitioners from across Teso.
The workshop aimed to guide herbalists on professional standards, product testing, licensing, and safe distribution practices.
Ekodel Emmanuel, Soroti District Drug Inspector, highlighted the need for a regional NDA office in Soroti to ease access to product testing, training, and registration services, currently centralized in Kampala.
“The high cost of transport and accommodation discourages many herbalists from completing the registration process,” he said.
Ekodel said the district health department is committed to supporting herbalists while ensuring their work meets national safety standards.
He also urged practitioners to document patient feedback, a step that could enhance credibility and foster public trust.
In a bid to preserve endangered medicinal plants, Soroti University has allocated ten acres for cultivation under its Department of Research and Innovation, a project that will support research, conservation, and sustainable sourcing of herbal ingredients.
Waiswa Saidi Ambali, Chairperson and Regional Coordinator of Teso Herbalists, acknowledged that many practitioners are not yet fully registered with the NDA, despite most being members of the Uganda Herbalists and Cultural Association.
He said about 1,500 herbalists operate in the region, with many having submitted products for testing and awaiting regulatory feedback.
Ambali raised concerns over the high costs of registration, fear of revealing proprietary ingredients, and the prevalence of counterfeit products that undermine legitimate practitioners.
Jennifer Awujo, NDA Regional Manager – Northeastern Uganda, stressed the authority’s mandate to regulate all medicines, including herbal products, ensuring they meet safety and quality standards.
She advised herbalists to maintain hygienic production environments, proper documentation, and valid licensing.
District leaders also revealed plans to collaborate with the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to use radio campaigns to educate the public about certified herbal medicines.
Ambali urged herbalists to unite and collaborate with regulators, noting the sector’s critical role in Uganda’s healthcare landscape, where nearly 95 percent of the population rely on herbal remedies.
He added that formalization and regulation could open opportunities for research, innovation, and wider acceptance of herbal medicine.
