Uganda to begin mass production of Pombeegad, a groundbreaking anti-hangover herbal remedy
As Pombeegad prepares for mass production, it stands as a symbol of Uganda’s potential to merge indigenous knowledge with scientific rigor and contribute meaningfully to both local health and economic transformation.
Kololo: In a landmark development for Uganda’s herbal and pharmaceutical industries, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation has announced the upcoming large-scale production of Pombeegad, an innovative herbal anti-hangover formulation developed by Herbs for You Limited.
The announcement was made by Minister Dr. Monica Musenero during the ongoing National Science Week held at Kololo Independence Grounds under the theme “From Innovation into the Market.”
Pombeegad is poised to become one of Uganda’s most commercially promising herbal products, aimed at mitigating the global health impacts of excessive alcohol consumption.
“Pombeegad is a Ugandan innovation addressing a worldwide issue,” Dr. Musenero said. “We are determined to move swiftly from research to real-world application, with the product set for production this year.”
A Scientific Journey Rooted in Tradition
The development of Pombeegad began in 2016, spearheaded by Ronnie Kalyango, a herbalist and Director of Herbs for You Limited. Years of intensive research and formulation culminated in a final prototype by 2022.
Kalyango expressed gratitude to the ministry for financial and technical support, stating that their backing has been pivotal in turning laboratory work into a scalable product. Production will be handled by Alfasan Uganda, a renowned manufacturer specializing in both human and veterinary medicines.
A Herbal Solution to a Global Problem
Pombeegad is formulated from natural plant extracts that enhance enzymatic alcohol metabolism, easing the burden on the liver and alleviating post-consumption symptoms like fatigue, dehydration, and nausea.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol-related conditions are responsible for approximately 3 million deaths annually. Uganda leads Africa in per capita alcohol consumption, with over 75% of the population engaging in drinking, averaging 12.12 liters per person annually.
“Our goal is to reduce alcohol-related mortality globally,” said Kalyango. “Pombeegad can be taken before drinking to prevent hangovers, or afterward as a remedy.”
Bridging the Research-to-Market Gap
Despite this success, challenges persist. Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize, Superintendent of Industrial Value Chain Development at the Ministry, raised concerns over the limited scope of Uganda’s research-to-commercialization pipeline.
“Only 2% of national research leads to product development,” he revealed. “Over 75% of research never transitions into tangible products or value chains.”
Dr. Mwikirize attributed this to a pattern where researchers often focus on analyzing foreign products rather than developing local innovations.
Funding Delays, Regional Disparities, and Missed Opportunities
The uneven distribution of research support also came under scrutiny. Dr. Alice Veronica Lamwak from Gulu University cited the stalled progress of Covilyce-1, an herbal COVID-19 treatment, despite a 2021 presidential directive allocating UGX 3.7 billion for its development.
“Delays in funding disbursement undermine innovation, particularly for researchers outside Kampala,” she said. “These delays are not just administrative—they are economic setbacks.”
Protecting Uganda’s Young Innovators
Concerns were also raised about intellectual property protection for emerging inventors, particularly those without access to legal or financial safeguards.
Addressing these, Minister Musenero assured innovators that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are available to protect their ideas when working with government institutions.
“We will never share your concepts without consent,” Musenero affirmed. “However, if you choose to sell your idea, we will support that decision as well.”
State House Steps In
Col. Edith Nakalema, head of the State House Investor Protection Unit, underscored the Unit’s mission to protect innovators from bureaucratic roadblocks and corrupt practices.
“We coordinate closely with ministries and agencies to eliminate bottlenecks for startups and investors,” she stated. “Innovation cannot thrive in an environment of inefficiency.”
Uganda’s $550 Million Vision: Innovation as a Growth Engine
The announcement of Pombeegad’s mass production aligns with Uganda’s ambitious goal to reach a GDP of $550 billion by 2040, as outlined by President Yoweri Museveni during the 2023 national budget address.
Minister Musenero emphasized that achieving this target requires aggressive value addition and the integration of science and technology into everyday business.
She cited examples such as transforming cowhides into premium leather goods and extracting value from typically discarded parts of bananas and mangoes.
“We currently extract less than 30–35% of value from many of our agricultural products,” Musenero explained. “Scientific innovation can unlock the other 65%—and with it, jobs and income.”
From Innovation to Industry
Uganda is transitioning from a country known for innovation to one where homegrown ideas are reaching markets and competing globally.
“We urge Ugandans to support locally made products,” said Musenero. “Science is no longer the preserve of a few—it’s now a tool for every entrepreneur, farmer, and manufacturer.”
As Pombeegad prepares for mass production, it stands as a symbol of Uganda’s potential to merge indigenous knowledge with scientific rigor and contribute meaningfully to both local health and economic transformation.
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