Grace Nambatya Kyeyune (née Grace Nambatya) (born April 1962), is a Ugandan medicinal chemist, researcher and academic, who serves as the Director of Research at the National Chemotherapeutic Research Institute (NCRI), based in Kampala, Uganda's capital city.[1] According to its website, NCRI is a state-owned "research and development institute in natural products and traditional and complementary health systems".[2] As of July 2021, Nambatya is credited with developing five compounds, currently in clinical and public use, which are extracted from Ugandan plants and herbs.[1]
Grace Nambatya Kyeyune | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962 (age 61–62) Ssaza, Masaka District, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Citizenship | Ugandan |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Nabbingo (High School Diploma) Makerere University (BSc in Chemistry) (Postgraduate Diploma in Education) Loughborough University (MSc in Medicinal Chemistry) (PhD in Medicinal Chemistry) |
| Occupation(s) | Medicinal Chemist, Researcher and Academic |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Title | Director of Research at the Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute (NCRI), Kampala, Uganda |
| Spouse | (Dr. Robert Kyeyune) |
| Children | 5 |
Background and education
editNambatya was born in April 1962 to Mary Perepetwa Sonko and Charles Sonko of Ssaza, Masaka District, in the Buganda Region of Uganda. She attended primary school in the greater Masaka area. She then transferred to Trinity College Nabbingo, in present-day Wakiso District, where she completed both her O-Level and A-Level studies.[1]
Nambatya was admitted to Makerere University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Education. Later, she obtained a Master of Science degree in Medicinal Chemistry, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in the same field, both awarded by Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.[1]
Career
editStarting circa 2000, Nambatya has been studying and promoting indigenous herbal medication, working with Ugandan communities, herbalists and western medical practitioners. She is credited with being the driving force "behind the Indigenous and Complementary Medicine Bill of 2015".[3]
Nambatya's research is credited with bringing several compounds to market during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include the following:
- UBV-01N
A natural formulation developed by Nambatya and her team at NCRI. Since January 2021 it is undergoing human clinical trials at Mulago National Referral Hospital.[1][4]
- Excel Sanitizer
The formulation contains Warburgia ugandensis, which is both antibacterial and antifungal.[1]
- Warbugia Herbal Cough Syrup
Under development as a cough remedy for COVID-19 patients.[1]
- NCRI Immuno Booster
An organic drink under development to fortify body immunity to resist infections in general and viral attacks, in particular.[1]
Family
editGrace Nambatya is married to Robert Kyeyune and together, they are parents of five children.[1]
Other considerations
editNambatya lectures chemistry at the College of Natural Sciences and pharmacy at the College of Health Sciences, both at Makerere University, the oldest and largest public university in Uganda.[1]
She also sits on the board of the National Drug Authority, since 2008. She is the chair of the Public Private Partnership for Health (PPPH) Working Group. She is also a member of the Top Management Team at the Uganda Ministry of Health, answerable directly to the Permanent Secretary.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bamuturaki Musinguzi (10 July 2021). "Dr Nambatya's struggle, wins through 5 herbal medicines". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ National Chemotherapeutic Research Institute (11 July 2021), "About NCRI", National Chemotherapeutic Research Institute, Wandegeya, Kampala, Uganda, retrieved 11 July 2021
- ^ Bamuturaki Musinguzi (27 May 2021). "Nambatya recognised for promoting herbal medicine". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Huaxia (11 February 2021). "Ugandan female scientists champion fight against COVID-19". Xinhuanet.com. Beijing, China. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
External links
edit- Dr Grace Nambatya wins Uganda National Heritage Awards As of May 2021.
- NCRI is a component of Uganda National Health Research Organisation (UNHRO) Archived 27 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine