Traditional healers in Uganda have been urged to desist from making false claims about curing HIV/AIDS, as leaders in the sector call for more responsible practices that promote testing, prevention, and collaboration with modern healthcare systems.
Mutongole Nansamba, the president of traditional healers in Uganda, issued a strong warning to practitioners who mislead patients, stressing that such actions endanger lives and undermine national efforts to fight HIV/AIDS.
“Traditional healers should stop misleading people that they can cure HIV. Instead, they must encourage everyone to first go for testing before starting any form of treatment,” she said.
She emphasized that early testing remains one of the most effective ways of managing HIV, noting that people who know their status can seek proper medical care and avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.
Nansamba made the remarks while leading fellow traditional healers during the Kabaka’s Birthday Run in Nansana and surrounding areas, an event that attracts thousands of participants and is often used to raise awareness about key public health issues.
“As traditional healers, we have a big role to play in our communities. We must support government efforts by guiding people correctly and promoting methods that prevent the spread of HIV,” she added.
She further called on traditional healers to work closely with health professionals to ensure patients receive accurate information and appropriate care, especially in rural areas where many people rely on traditional medicine as their first point of contact.
Meanwhile, Nalongo Kadaga from Busoga commended the organisers of the Kabaka’s Birthday Run for bringing communities together in support of HIV/AIDS awareness.
“The Kabaka’s birthday run is a good platform to educate our people and remind them about the importance of protecting their health,” she said.
Kadaga also urged traditional healers to improve their livelihoods by embracing government wealth-creation programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
“Programs like PDM and Emyooga are meant to uplift communities. Traditional healers should take part in them instead of depending only on money from patients,” she added.
Health experts have consistently warned that misinformation about HIV/AIDS remains a major challenge in Uganda’s efforts to combat the disease. Leaders in the traditional healing sector say that by promoting testing, prevention, and economic empowerment, they can play a critical role in supporting national health goals and improving community well-being.