Gulu University’s Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Studies-PharmBiotec is set to introduce plant propagation into the syllabus for students studying traditional and herbal medicine.
The department of PharmBiotec, established in 2017, aims to equip herbalists, traditional knowledge holders, and healers with the necessary skills to extract, standardize, and administer high-quality and hygienic herbs.
Under the traditional medicines program, more than 500 herbalists and traditional healers from various regions, including Lamwo, Kitgum, Amuru, Nwoya, Pader, Apac, Oyam, Kabaale, and Fortportal, have been trained. The program has also formulated 30 different herbs for managing various ailments, showing the positive impact of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific methods.
Dr. Alice Veronica Lamwaka, a senior lecturer at PharBiotec, emphasizes the importance of incorporating plant propagation and cell cultures into the curriculum. The university plans to recall students who have completed their 5-week course to receive training in these techniques. This initiative will enable them to learn the process of multiplying or regenerating a mother plant through seeds or cloning using vegetative parts like shoots, stems, roots, or leaves.
The incorporation of plant propagation and cell cultures is expected to maintain the vibrancy of the genebank, now known as the Cultural Science Center, as it facilitates the translation of indigenous knowledge from traditional practices to scientific methodologies.
In Uganda, traditional medicine has a long history of being used to manage various diseases. A 2016 study conducted in Gulu District revealed that 60% of Ugandans, irrespective of their social class and educational levels, seek medical advice from herbalists during pregnancy and postnatal care.
However, the ecosystem in northern Uganda faces significant challenges due to deforestation and urban pollution, which endanger the existence of medicinal herbs. This has prompted the university to take action and find ways to preserve the remaining species on its 57-acre piece of land.
By incorporating plant propagation into the traditional medicine syllabus, Gulu University aims to not only empower its students with valuable skills but also contribute to the preservation and sustainability of medicinal herbs in the region.
The initiative bridges the gap between traditional knowledge and modern scientific approaches, ensuring the continuity of Uganda’s rich heritage in herbal medicine.