As part of our commitment to strengthening traditional medicine through hands-on education, the Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute (NCRI) organized a one-day field visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens for Cohort 5 of our Occupational Herbalists Training Programme.
The visit provided trainees with an opportunity to explore a wide range of medicinal plants in their natural setting, deepening their understanding of plant identification, ethnobotanical applications, and sustainable harvesting methods. The session was designed to complement classroom instruction with practical exposure an approach we believe is vital in nurturing knowledgeable, responsible, and ethical herbal practitioners.
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— Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute(NCRI) (@ncriug) July 17, 2025
As part of our commitment to experiential learning, our Cohort 5 Occupational Herbalists trainees visited Entebbe Botanical Gardens, exploring medicinal plants in the herbal section. A full day of hands-on learning, plant identification, & herbal knowledge exchange. pic.twitter.com/YAQyomi1sG
The NCRI delegation was led by Ms. Cissy Nambejja, Coordinator of the Occupational Herbalists Training Programme, who guided the team throughout the day and emphasized the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with science-informed practice.
Facilitation was provided by Ms. Mary Gorret and Nalongo, both staff members at Entebbe Botanical Gardens, whose extensive expertise in medicinal plant use and conservation greatly enriched the learning experience. We are grateful for their commitment and passion in sharing valuable knowledge with our trainees.
This hands-on training experience enabled participants to interact directly with various medicinal plant species, learn about their therapeutic uses, and engage in meaningful discussions on preparation methods, dosage, and the ecological importance of conservation. Such exposure is essential in equipping occupational herbalists with the practical skills and contextual knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to community health.
At NCRI, we remain dedicated to promoting safe, effective, and regulated traditional medicine practices in Uganda. The field visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens is one of the many learning interventions under our Occupational Herbalists Training Programme aimed at ensuring the preservation, professionalization, and sustainable use of Uganda’s rich herbal resources.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the management and staff of Entebbe Botanical Gardens for their warm welcome and generous support during the visit. Special thanks to Ms. Mary Gorret and Nalongo for their outstanding facilitation and guidance.
Together, we continue to champion the development of traditional medicine through research, training, and collaboration.