New men's clinic opens in Iganga to tackle prostate, erectile problems

Third Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga (centre) tours Gina Men's Herbal Clinic at CMS in Iganga during its official opening on August 23, 2026.

Men in Busoga suffering from prostate enlargement, infertility and erectile dysfunction can now access specialised care at a new men-only health facility opened at CMS in Iganga.

The facility, Gina Male's Herbal Clinic, was established to address reluctance among men to discuss reproductive and urinary health problems, which health workers say can delay diagnosis and treatment.

Dr Faridah Natukunda, the clinic's chief executive director and a urologist, said the facility provides specialised services including prostate care, male infertility assessment and treatment of erectile dysfunction.

“Men have become vulnerable because they keep silent about their health problems. We came here to hear them out and provide the services they need,” Natukunda said.

She said some men with prostate-related symptoms initially seek treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure because frequent urination can be associated with those conditions, potentially delaying diagnosis.

The clinic has already treated men with significant prostate enlargement, including one patient whose prostate measured 121cc, according to Natukunda.

The facility also conducts community outreaches and free health camps for men who cannot easily access the clinic.

For infertility cases, Natukunda said the clinic carries out laboratory investigations, including sperm analysis, to establish possible causes before treatment.

She said erectile dysfunction was also common among men in the region but remained largely undiscussed because of stigma and embarrassment.

The clinic uses herbal medicines as part of its treatment. Natukunda said patients are assessed before treatment and that the products used are processed for medical purposes and regulated by the National Drug Authority.

She urged men experiencing persistent urinary or reproductive health problems to seek medical attention early rather than self-medicating or remaining silent.

Iganga District Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Silvace Onyaiti welcomed the facility, saying locally developed medicines could complement government efforts to address healthcare challenges.

“You cannot have a better income when you are sick. It is very difficult for a person to become rich when they are ill,” Onyaiti said on Sunday.

Iganga Resident District Assistant Commissioner Ayub Maganda said sexual dysfunction among some men was among factors contributing to domestic tensions in the area.

“At Nawandala Sub-county, a man killed his wife and children after discovering that they had been fathered by another man, reportedly because he was unable to father children,” Maganda said.

Resident Judge of the High Court at Iganga Circuit, Justice David Batema, said the facility was long overdue, particularly for people whose work requires prolonged sitting.

Batema said prolonged sitting and associated back problems could affect posture and physical wellbeing and, in some cases, contribute to discomfort that affects sexual activity.

He also urged the public to consider the potential of traditional medicine, noting that some countries had incorporated it into formal education and healthcare systems.

“People should not dismiss herbal medicine. In Zimbabwe, they value traditional medicine so much that at university level, they have established a full faculty dedicated to traditional medicine,” Batema said.

At the official opening, First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga said she was surprised that Natukunda, who trained in medicine, had ventured into herbal medicine.

“I am surprised that you studied medicine, but you are using herbal medicine. You can find a muzungu spending two months in the forest collecting samples and taking seeds abroad. They make money from our natural resources and leave us empty-handed,” Kadaga said.

She also cited her late grandfather, saying he lived to 102 while using traditional medicine.

Former Iganga Municipality mayor Siraje Kato said he had previously suffered from prostate and kidney problems but that his condition had improved after receiving treatment at Gina Herbal Clinic.

Uganda's experience with Covidex, a locally developed herbal medicine approved by the National Drug Authority in 2021 as a supportive treatment for viral infections including Covid-19, has been cited as an example of the potential for traditional remedies when combined with scientific research.

The opening of the Iganga facility comes amid growing calls for research and development of locally available herbal remedies, while encouraging men to seek early care for reproductive and urinary health problems.