Makerere University Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (MUIENR) presented its report and catalogue to UNATCOM on the findings of the project on preservation of medicinal plants for poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Makerere University Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (MUIENR) presented its report and catalogue to UNATCOM on the findings of the project on preservation of medicinal plants for poverty reduction and sustainable development.

UNATCOM is the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), which will be responsible for distributing the report to the public.

This initiative which is in line with one of the culture program goals of UNATCOM “ to strengthen the contribution of culture to sustainable development” was designed with the following intended major outputs: to inventory medicinal plants, prepare a catalogue of these plants, establish demonstration gardens and undertake awareness campaigns on the importance of traditional medicine in different parts of Uganda.

According to Professor John R.S Tabuti an Ethnobotanist, traditional medicine is very important to Ugandans, but the medicinal plant species are threatened in Uganda by habitat conversion to other land uses, while the knowledge of these plant species is eroding very fast today.

“It is estimated that between 60-80% of Ugandans use traditional medicine for their primary health care problems.” He said, adding that “the indigenous knowledge that is relied on in the utilization of traditional medicine is eroding very fast because of a variety of factors that include rapidly changing lifestyles.”

The project was conducted in the rural and remote districts of Nakapiripirit (North-Eastern Uganda), Kanungu (Western Uganda), Pallisa (Eastern Uganda) and Mukono (Central Uganda) and was aimed at sensitizing the communities to participate in the conservation and protection of these important species.

He said that 400 copies of catalogue and 200 copies of the report would be availed, after acquisition of funds from their sponsor UNATCOM.

The project was conducted through informant and household interviews, and thereafter a day’s workshop for all the participants, District leaders and other officials was held. During the workshop the feedback and results of the project were presented to raise awareness and promote traditional medicine among the Districts’ leadership.

The establishment of botanical gardens was also discussed in the workshop, and land for the gardens was provided by Nabalanga Primary School (Mukono), Kaucho Primary School (Pallisa), San Geovani High School Makiro (Kanungu) and St.Theresa, Nabilatuk Parish Church (Nakapiripirit) thereby making them partners in the project. Establishment of the demonstration sites was started in the rainy season of March 2010 and 40 species were planted in the gardens.

Professor Tabuti highlighted that the partners are responsible for the management of the gardens and the motivation of pupils and their wild life clubs to provide labor. The local partners were given support to clear the plots of land, acquire planting material, and sow seedlings. The partners were also allocated maintenance costs for the gardens for the first four months. District Forestry Officers promised to provide technical advice regarding tree planting and management.

He also hinted that the project had identified important medicinal plant species in four Ugandan communities that may be evaluated further and hopefully formulated into allopathic drugs.

He urged the community members to visit these botanical gardens as this would increase their knowledge on conservation of medicinal plants.

Article by Kogai Donald