For 150,000 shillings, Joel Obore promises more than a quick fix. He markets what he calls a “permanent” solution through AlphaMax M+ Coffee, an imported product he claims can treat a range of conditions—from cholesterol and kidney “blockages” to low sperm count.
Using aggressive sales tactics, Obore presents the product as a medical breakthrough, often leaving potential clients feeling pressured to buy. “There must be an issue,” he says, linking sexual performance concerns to underlying illness. Despite the high cost, the product comes with no guarantees. When questioned about its effectiveness, Obore cited a near-perfect track record, attributing one reported failure to “witchcraft.”
His approach reflects a broader and growing market in Uganda, where sexual enhancement products are widely available across different price ranges. In areas such as Kyebando, low-cost options dominate. At local outlets like Pumungu Pharmacy, sildenafil-based tablets—similar to Viagra—sell for as little as 1,500 shillings per pill, with more expensive variants also available. While some sellers claim regulatory approval from the National Drug Authority Uganda, these products are often dispensed without medical consultation.
Health experts warn that the surge in demand is being driven by misinformation and unrealistic expectations. Dr. Frank Rubabinda Asiimwe, a consultant urologist and president of the Uganda Medical Association, says cases of sexual dysfunction have risen sharply, with clinics now seeing nearly two patients a day, up from one or two per week.
“People are consuming a lot of sexually explicit content and assume that is normal,” he said. “This creates pressure and drives them to seek solutions they may not need.”
He added that many so-called herbal products are “hybrids”—marketed as natural but secretly laced with pharmaceutical ingredients. These hidden substances can pose serious risks, especially when taken without supervision.
To detect such products, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards has introduced advanced testing methods, including liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, to identify undeclared compounds like sildenafil or tadalafil.
Experts warn that these unregulated mixtures can lead to severe complications, including heart problems, while also masking underlying conditions such as prostate disease.
Despite enforcement efforts, illegal products continue to circulate. In 2025, authorities seized and investigated cases involving relabeled medical supplies and unlicensed drugs.
Regulators say weak oversight of advertising is compounding the problem. Innocent Nahabwe, chair of the National Association of Broadcasters Uganda, acknowledged that some advertisers promote misleading products, while enforcement against media outlets remains limited.
“If it is a drug, the ingredients and dosage must be known,” Asiimwe said. “Advertisements will not tell you about the side effects.”
