The reluctance by most Ugandans to use herbal medicine in favour of Western medicine was due to a colonial residual mentality. The awardee in this category has demonstrated the contribution of indigenous medicine to the health and well-being of Ugandans, by changing the narrative.
In 2022, Ms. Judith Bakirya was awarded for blending nature’s medicine, nutrient-dense fruit seeds and culture to promote good health, well-being, learning and reflection. Each year millions of her fruit seeds (avocado, mangoes and jackfruit) find their way into marketplaces in different parts of the World.
In her gardens of fruits and herbs in Wanyange, Jinja Eastern Uganda, she cultivates herbal medicine using a forest approach to farming. She has branded the value-added fruit seeds and medicinal plants as “Namazzi Organic Herbals”.
She has the first ever Herbal Healing Massage clinic on the farm. The farm is a learning Centre, an Agro-Tourism Centre, but also a thriving social business.
THE 6TH NATIONAL HERITAGE AWARDS
CCFU is calling upon the general public to nominate individuals, families and organisations that have been instrumental in promoting heritage. One can access an online form to nominate, here. A special press award and grant will be given to a journalist who has consistently reported on heritage issues. Submit your project brief via ccfu@crossculturalfoundation.or.ug.
Deadline for submission is 20th August 2024.
ABOUT THE HERITAGE AWARDS
Whether tangible (buildings, landscapes, monuments) or intangible (skills, crafts, traditions) our heritage is not effectively protected, even when listed.
In 2013, CCFU initiated the National Heritage Awards to provide a missing incentive – social recognition, publicity and cash – through a Heritage Prize to individuals and organisations for their outstanding contribution to preserving and promoting our heritage – whether build, natural or intangible.
The main objective of the award is to underscore the urgency of heritage recognition and promotion in our country.
So far, 6th heritage awarding ceremonies have been held, with 36 awards presented.
The awards are categorized into—Tangible heritage and Intangible heritage category; and most recently in 2023, a Heritage Press category was introduced.