Covidex has taken Uganda by storm. The herbal medicine, which is used in the treatment of viral infections, has been brewing controversy.

However, this ended on Tuesday, June 29, when the National Drug Authority cleared Covidex for treatment of COVID-19.

But who is Dr Patrick Engeu Ogwang, the man behind Covidex?

Although Ogwang has not stepped on the podium to claim heroism, accounts from many people around him say he is a man who prefers keeping a low profile.

Despite frantic efforts to get him for an interview, he didn’t see anything big to warrant that attention.

After days of his phone ringing off the hook, he switched it off. That character is what defines Ogwang, an achiever who is shy to chest-thump over such accomplishments.

He has a humble personality, which friends say is his biggest strength when he faces challenges.

“Ogwang would not lament about poor equipment or lack of it. He is not a poor workman that complains about his tools, he will find his way round. He would say ‘let us work with what is available’,” says a colleague who has worked with Ogwang in the research world.

His peers say herbal medicine is associated with witchcraft and attracts little support, but Ogwang has had a passion for plants since childhood.

Orphaned at a tender age

Born in the remote plains of Teso at a place known as Otuboi in Kabelamaido district, Ogwang is an orphan, who was raised by his uncle.

His father was an Itesot and his mother a Langi. He is fluent in many languages, including Kumam and Ateso.

He is a father of two and his wife is a doctor working at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.  

Colleagues and friends describe Ogwang as a laidback person and Born-Again Christian.

Malaria battles 

Although Covidex is what put Ogwang in the limelight, he has also worked on other breakthrough researches (anti-malaria and sickle cell remedies). 

He led a team of scientists in research on plant extracts that demonstrated that if taken regularly during one year, they render a person immune to malaria.

It also reduced the asymptomatic malaria cases in an adult population by 60%. The product, called ARTAVOL®, is composed of ground kernels of avocado, extracts of lemon grass and dried artemisia herb, which does not contain artemisinin.

Major ingredients are coumarins, sterols and triterpenes, flavonoids, lemonol and citral derivatives. 

ARTAVOL®, consumed as a beverage or as functional food, helps in prevention of malaria, frequent fevers, worm infestation and also provides the body with antioxidants.

It tastes best in milk, but can also be added to porridge, hot water or food.

Work on sickle cell disease 

Ogwang was also part of the team that did research on Zanthoxylum chalybeum, a traditional medicinal plant used in the treatment of various ailments in the African region.

In sickle cell disease, a decoction of the root bark extract is administered for life. The safety of long term use of this plant is not documented.

This study investigated the systemic effects of daily administration of low and high oral doses of the root bark extract of this plant in rodents.

Accolades 

In 2014, the Ministry of Health awarded Ogwang for his work towards a vaccine against malaria.

Later, he was awarded by a group in Germany for his ground-breaking research on malaria vaccine. 

In a short video speech seen by New Vision, Ogwang sounded frustrated as he wondered, “even when there is medicine that can eradicate malaria in Africa, people are still dying. There is a solution.”

On Tuesday, the National Drug Authority (NDA) cleared the use of Covidex in the treatment of viral infections, including COVID-19.

NDA’s chief executive David Nahamya described their latest move in favour of Covidex as partial clearance for treatment of viral infections.

“Covidex has been notified to be sold in licensed drug outlets for supportive treatment and management of viral infections, but not as a cure of COVID-19,” Nahamya said. 

The approval was based on initial assessment, published literature and safety studies conducted by the innovator, Nahamy said. 

In a statement dated June 14, Prof. Celestino Obua, the vice-chancellor of MUST, described Covidex as a product that has been developed by the university.

He also said it has been developed with support from the Government of Uganda.

Career milestone

Dr Ogwang is a specialist in ethnobotany or pharmacologist. He is also a lecturer at Mbarara University of Science Technology (MUST).

He has published numerous research papers and articles in reputable journals and recently earned his new status of associate professor.

Ogwang is also former president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Uganda, a body that governs pharmacists and their practices in Uganda.

His journey into the world of discoveries started in the late 1990s at Makerere University as he attended his first degree in pharmacy and later his master’s in pharmacology.

He also holds a PhD in pharmacy and pharmacology from Makerere University.

Pharmacology is the branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects and modes of action of drugs.

He picked interest in making remedies from herbs when he was still undertaking his bachelor’s degree.

When Ogwang joined MUST, he set up a unit that has been transformed into the department of pharmacy.

He heads MUST’s department of pharmacy, under the faculty of medicine, where he was appointed associate professor.

His illustrious work has also attracted a grant of $6m World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence at MUST.

The World Health Organisation is also supporting the research.