At a time when the United States has cut funding for the global fight against HIV/AIDS and treatment programmes are facing serious funding shortfalls, the Ugandan government is turning to herbal medicine to find cures for diseases such as HIV. Currently, 1.3 million Ugandans are living with HIV with 1.1 million receiving treatment. The Ministry of Health reports that research into traditional treatments for HIV and other diseases is underway, making use of healthcare solutions that were widely employed long before modern medicine existed.
With around 1.3 million Ugandans currently living with HIV and 1.1 million on treatment, Uganda is exploring alternative health strategies as US funding for the global fight against HIV/AIDS is cut. The Ministry of Health reports that research into traditional treatments for HIV and other diseases is underway, taking advantage of health solutions that were widely used long before modern medicine. The government also aims to provide training for traditional healers to support its efforts.
“The push on herbal medicine is not only for it to end at the habo stage but for it to progress with research and development into modern medicine”
Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health – Uganda
Despite a decline in new infections over the past decade, Uganda continues to face significant HIV-related challenges in 2025. According to UNAIDS modelling data, even if Uganda achieves its 95-95-95 targets this year, nearly 40,000 people will still contract HIV annually. However, herbal remedies have long been a lifeline for many, with some people believing that they can treat a range of illnesses. Sanyu Rose, for example, is an HIV-positive woman who takes her antiretroviral drugs every day but claims that herbal remedies improve her health.
“It’s very hard to find someone who takes herbs like hibiscus and says they feel dizzy because they would be lying. Hibiscus replenishes the blood supply in our bodies — we HIV patients need a lot of blood. So, we eat well and drink plenty of hibiscus”
Sanyu Rose, Person living with HIV – Uganda
It should be noted that Uganda was the first country in Africa to open a Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) clinic. Known as the AIDS Information Centre, it pioneered the concept of voluntary HIV testing centres in sub-Saharan Africa. Uganda is looking to herbal medicine for a breakthrough in formulating remedies for diseases like HIV, whose treatment programmes are facing serious funding gaps.
