Kadaga mocked for ‘fake cure’ after commending Prof Ogwang's Covidex herb
First Deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga has found herself on the receiving end of ridicule following her comments on Covidex, a supportive treatment.
A week ago, the National Drug Authority (NDA) cleared the Covidex herbal medicine developed by Mbarara University scientist, Prof Patrick Ogwang, for use by the public as a supportive treatment in the management of viral infections, especially the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19).
Since it’s approval, the demand for the local remedy has been skyrocketing with many hoping that it can help alleviate Covid-19 symptoms.
Just like many Ugandans, Rebecca Kadaga on Monday took to her official Twitter handle to voice her support for Ogwang for having developed the local remedy.
She tweeted; “Let us support the efforts of Professor Patrick Engeu Ogwang in developing an effective local remedy, "Covidex" , Buy Uganda Build Uganda!"
https://twitter.com/RebeccaKadagaUG/status/1412111293520220161?s=20
However, her comments caused a brief splash on social media especially on Twitter with many ridiculing her with accusations that she had tried to foister on the nation with a ‘fake cure’.
Replying to Kadaga’s tweet, Male Mabirizi asked; “Leero ggwe....what happened to your American professor who was to make a cure?”
https://twitter.com/MALE0701881231/status/1412124792933785604?s=20
Ogwal Lawrence commented; “But your Professor should have been the first person to come up with Covidex in the first wave of Covid”
https://twitter.com/OgwalLawrence/status/1412304544512581759?s=20
Nabaasa Innocent shared a screenshot with a caption; “Coronavirus: Kadaga says Ugandan doctors ‘lack brains”
https://twitter.com/NabaasaInnocent/status/1412113951136129029?s=20
Prosper Ahabwe commented; “We are still waiting for the treatment for corona virus from the Professor in the United states. You said 2 weeks. I hope the young man from Busoga is finishing up!
https://twitter.com/prosperahabug/status/1412125776481165325?s=21
The backlash follows the former Speaker’s comments made on 16th March 2020, where she told Parliament that a local pharmaceutical company was slated to start producing a cure for Covid-19 in a period of two weeks.
At that time, Uganda had not confirmed a single case of Covid-19. Kadaga claimed that the ‘spray and hand wash’ cure would provide hope incase the virus was detected in the country.
“I've told Parliament that a spray, which instantly kills the Corona virus, has been discovered & is to be co-produced in Uganda. It goes on the market next week. The American inventor, Prof. Safraz K. Niaz, was here at the weekend & donated the patent, free of charge to Uganda” read Kadaga’s tweet dated 16th March 2020.
https://twitter.com/solomonking/status/1412148447088611330?s=20
Kadaga’s hopes for this miracle cure never materialised and Uganda is currently struggling to contain the second wave of the deadly virus.
