Mr David Ssenfuka, an herbalist who gained fame for treating cancer and diabetes is seeking US$25m to construct a private cancer and diabetes institute.
The herbalist says the institute that will sit on a 10-acre piece of land in Masaka will treat patients from the entire world.
“I request the government of Uganda, governments of neighbouring countries, the Parliament of Uganda, NGOs, friends, Rotary Club, financial institutions, different organisations and individuals to donate to the construction of this private cancer institute in Uganda to enable more research on drugs and bring an end to cancer and diabetes killer diseases,” he said.
He said the already identified land on which to build the cancer and diabetes hospital/institute is big to accommodate researcher, doctors and patients from all over the world.
“If this project gets successful, cancer and diabetes will be history. Why should our people suffer and die when we have the drugs?” he asked.
It is indicated that Mr Ssenfuka will partner with Buganda kingdom to construct the institute and the two will officially launch a fundraising drive which will involve a fundraising dinner and cancer run.
Reports also indicate that Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, his counterpart of Kenya, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Paul Kagame of Rwanda are behind this project.
Also Justice Wako Wambuzi, Prof Ddumba Ssentamu and Dr Elioda Tumwesigye among others are behind this initiative.
Ssenfuka, a celebrated herbalist
Few weeks ago, under their umbrella organisation the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), awarded Mr Ssenfuka for his efforts towards treating cancer and diabetes patients.
Earlier, Dr Grace Nambatya, the Director of Research at the National Chemotherapeutics Research Institute (NCRI), recognised Mr Ssenfuka for his research and urged him to work closely with the Ministry of Health to see how best his research can be supported to save lives.
NCRI is a state owned research and development institute in natural products and traditional complementary health systems.
Ssenfuka’s background with herbal medicine
Mr Ssenfuka grew up with his now deceased grandmother, Leonia Namuganga Nakiwala, who had vast knowledge in traditional medicine.
She gradually passed on the knowledge to her grandson, Mr Ssenfuka through goodwill who in turn pursued and discovered that the herbal therapeutics she used contained ingredients that have curative effects for diabetes mellitus and cancer.
When analysts at the NCRI investigated the metabolic action of the ingredients, they found their efficacy to cure diseases.
