Herbal Medicine Outpaces Conventional Care in Teso as Thousands Turn to Traditional Remedies

By Peterson Hiirya

Soroti city — Herbal medicine continues to dominate healthcare choices across Uganda’s Teso sub-region, where traditional healers and herbal clinics now outnumber conventional medical facilities. Community leaders estimate that while about 1,500 herbalists are officially registered, the number of unregistered practitioners could push the total beyond 8,000, reflecting the deep reliance on traditional remedies among residents.

According to Waiswa Ambali, chairperson of Teso herbalists’ association, herbal medicine remains the first line of treatment for many families across the districts of Teso, Residents often turn to herbalists before visiting hospitals or clinics, especially for common illnesses or when conventional treatment fails to provide relief.

“Many people first seek herbal treatment before turning to Western medicine,” Ambali explained. “Herbal medicine is real, and it has saved many lives. Our communities have relied on it for generations.”

Across Teso, small herbal treatment centers and preparation sites are widespread with some operating in swamps, homes and bushes. Unlike formal hospitals or clinics, many herbalists operate modest production spaces where medicinal plants are processed into oils, powders, and liquid extracts. These centers often serve as accessible healthcare points for nearby villages.

Health observers say the number of herbal practitioners in the region now surpasses the number of conventional health facilities, particularly in rural communities where hospitals may be distant or understaffed. In many villages, a herbalist may be the only easily available healthcare provider.

Ambali estimates that over 80 percent of people in Teso rely on traditional medicine in some form,

Nationally, traditional medicine is also widely used, with some estimates suggesting that up to 95 percent of Ugandans have used herbal remedies at some point in their lives.

Despite its popularity, the herbal medicine sector faces challenges, particularly the presence of unqualified individuals posing as herbalists. Ambali warned that some people exploit the demand for herbal treatment by advertising aggressively in public places while offering ineffective or unsafe remedies.

“Some individuals claim to be herbalists just to make money,” he said. “You often see them loudly advertising on buses or in markets. These people damage the reputation of genuine practitioners.”

To address the problem, Ambali said the association has written to the National Drug Authority seeking stronger collaboration to identify and eliminate fake practitioners while protecting legitimate herbalists.

Efforts are also underway to preserve indigenous medicinal knowledge and protect plant species used in traditional remedies. Researchers at Soroti University have allocated about 10 acres of land to cultivate and conserve medicinal plants that risk disappearing due to overharvesting and environmental change.

Experts believe promoting locally grown medicinal plants could strengthen healthcare systems while boosting local economies. However, many Ugandans still prefer imported herbal products from countries such as Malaysia and China, partly because local remedies are not widely marketed.

For many residents in Teso, herbal medicine represents more than just healthcare—it is a cultural tradition passed down through generations. Knowledge about medicinal plants, preparation techniques, and treatment methods is often inherited within families and communities.

With the sub-region’s population estimated at more than 2.5 million people, the herbal medicine sector also provides livelihoods for thousands of practitioners, plant collectors, and small-scale producers.

As demand for traditional medicine continues to grow, experts say balancing cultural heritage with modern safety standards will be critical. Stronger regulation, research, and sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants could help the herbal medicine sector in Teso evolve into a safer and more organized component of Uganda’s healthcare system.

For now, however, herbalists remain the backbone of healthcare for many communities across the region—providing remedies rooted in centuries of indigenous knowledge.