By Spy Uganda
Kasubi based herbalist David Ssenfuka, who has gained national recognition for treating cancer and diabetes has kicked off a fundraising drive for USD 25M to construct a state-of-art private cancer institute planned to sit on 10 acres of land.
According to Ssenfuka, the institute will serve as a hospital for Cancer and Diabetes’ patients from not only East and Central Africa but the whole world.
”I request Government of Uganda, Governments of neighbouring countries, Uganda Parliament, NGOs, friends, Rotary Club, financial institutions, different organizations and individuals to donate to the construction of this Private Cancer Institute in Uganda to enable more research on the drugs and bring an end to cancer and diabetes killer diseases,” says Ssenfuka adding;
“We have already identified the land to build the Cancer and Diabetes Hospital/Institute. It will be on 10 acres in Masaka. We need a big place to accommodate researchers and doctors and patients from all over the world,” says Ssenfuka.
Reports have it that Ssenfuka will partner with Buganda Kingdom to construct the Institute and the two will officially launch the fundraising drive which will involve a fundraising dinner and cancer run. Also, it is said that the three presidents; Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Paul Kagame of Rwanda are behind this project.
Other high profile people notably behind the Private Cancer Institute project are; Justice Wako Wambuzi, Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu, Hon. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, Hon. Kasole Bwerere Lwanga, Owek. Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, Owek. Walusimbi Ssengendo and many others.
“If this project gets successful, cancer and diabetes will be history. Why should our people suffer and die when we have the drugs?” Asked Ssenfuka calling on organizations and good hearted people to donate for the above-mentioned cause.
Ssenfuka A Celebrated Herbalist
A few weeks ago, Journalists in Uganda under their umbrella Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) honoured Ssenfuka for his efforts towards treating cancer and diabetes patients using local herbs and for being pivotal in supporting research towards ending cancer and diabetes not only in Uganda but the world at large.
Days before the above, Dr. Grace Nambatya, the Director of Research at the National Chemotherapeutic Research Institute (NCRI) saluted Ssenfuka for his research and asked 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 Medicines
Ssenfuka grew up with his grand mother, now deceased, the late Nalongo Leonia Namuganga Nakiwala whose initials are reflected in the name of his company in memory of her illustrious career and fellowship in traditional medicine.
Nalongo Leonia’s knowledge in traditional medicine was slowly passed on to Ssenfuka through the spirit of goodwill who pursued and discovered that the story of the herbal therapeutics she used contained ingredients that have curative effects for Diabetes Mellitus and Cancer.
The journey of discovery, though was realised by coincidence, later took on the course of scientific inquiry, when analysts at the Uganda National Chemotherapeutic Research Institute (UNCRI) investigated the metabolic action of the ingredients found therein and found them effective to cure diabetes.
