Gulu City, Uganda: Members of the Acholi Traditional Healers and Herbalists Association (ATHHA), Gulu City Chapter, have launched a registration exercise aimed at organizing their profession and eliminating quacks operating under the guise of traditional medicine.
The herbalists made the announcement during a press briefing in Gulu City on Thursday, saying the initiative seeks to address growing public misconceptions that often associate legitimate traditional healers with witchcraft practices.
Michael Okuna, the Gulu City Chairperson of ATHHA, said the association’s members are engaged in the prescription and administration of traditional herbal medicines used to treat various ailments and should not be confused with witch doctors.
“We want the public to understand that we are not practicing witchcraft. Our work is based on traditional medicine and herbal treatment of illnesses,” Okuna said.
According to him, the association is undertaking a registration exercise across Gulu City and the wider Acholi Sub-region to create a clear distinction between recognized traditional healers and individuals engaged in practices unrelated to herbal medicine.
Okuna also condemned the practice commonly referred to as “mato latek,” where some young women reportedly use certain herbs in pursuit of wealth, business success, relationships and other personal breakthroughs.
He emphasized that such practices do not form part of traditional herbal medicine and should not be associated with registered healers.
Filder Ochaya, the association’s Vice Chairperson for Bardege-Layibi Division, said misconceptions about traditional medicine continue to affect the work of genuine practitioners.
“Many people wrongly tag us as witch doctors simply because they do not understand what traditional medicine is. That is why we are organizing and registering our members,” Ochaya said.
She revealed that Bardege-Layibi Division currently has 200 registered members, with the registration exercise continuing.
In Laroo-Pece Division, Vice Chairperson Grace Laker said unregulated practitioners are exploiting vulnerable young women and girls by promising quick solutions to challenges related to marriage, wealth and personal success.
She urged parents and guardians to guide young people against seeking shortcuts through such practices. “Success in marriage, wealth creation and prosperity comes through hard work and good values, not witchcraft,” Laker said.
According to her, the Laroo-Pece Division currently has 300 registered members.
The association’s Publicity Secretary, William Okot, said ATHHA currently has approximately 600 registered members in Gulu City and about 9,000 practitioners across the entire Acholi Sub-region.
RCC Welcomes Registration Exercise
Gulu City Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Ambrose Onoria welcomed the move to register herbal practitioners, describing it as an important step toward regulating the sector.
Onoria said proper organization would help authorities distinguish genuine practitioners from individuals masquerading as herbalists while engaging in activities that may amount to witchcraft or fraud.
“The registration process is important because it helps separate genuine herbalists from those who are using the practice as a cover for other activities,” Onoria said.
He revealed that authorities plan to conduct verification exercises and investigations aimed at identifying legitimate practitioners and taking action against quacks operating in the city.
Legal Framework
Traditional medicine practice in Uganda is regulated under the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act, 2019, alongside provisions of the National Drug Policy and Authority Act.
The law provides for the recognition, regulation and promotion of traditional and complementary medicine while safeguarding public health through oversight and registration mechanisms.
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