In Uganda, Delafrique Deogratias, a Cohort 3 Fellow for the beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship, has achieved national recognition after his project, the VEP Herbal Wound Spray, was officially approved and registered by the Uganda National Drugs Authority (NDA) as a Notified Herbal Product. Developed from locally sourced plants, Bidens pilosa (Black Jack) and Aloe secundiflora (Aloe vera), the spray offers a natural, safe and affordable remedy for wound treatment. It aims to meet the healthcare needs of rural and low-income populations who often struggle to access modern medical products. This achievement highlights how young innovators in Uganda are advancing public health through sustainable production methods and responsible innovation in herbal medicine.
Promoting Safe, Affordable and Sustainable Wound Care
The VEP Herbal Wound Spray has become a symbol of how innovation rooted in local knowledge can address national healthcare challenges. Made from Bidens pilosa, a plant long used in traditional healing for cuts and scratches and Aloe secundiflora, known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, the spray combines modern science with herbal wisdom.
When applied, the product soothes and cools minor skin wounds such as cuts, scratches and abrasions, while reducing inflammation and supporting faster healing. Unlike imported or commercial treatments that may be costly or unavailable in rural areas, this herbal spray provides a safe, affordable and environmentally friendly option.
The NDA’s approval and registration confirm that the product meets Uganda’s national standards for safety and efficacy, marking a major step forward for the team. This recognition officially classifies the spray as a legitimate herbal medicine suitable for public use, signifying the completion of its development phase and opening doors to broader community access.
This milestone also advances Responsible Consumption and Production goals by encouraging eco-friendly pharmaceutical manufacturing that minimizes waste and promotes local resource use. Through this innovation, youth-led entrepreneurship is not only improving community health but also contributing to Uganda’s sustainability agenda.
From Research Concept to National Recognition
The journey of the VEP Herbal Wound Spray began in early 2023 at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), within the Faculty of Medicine. The idea first took shape during a university research seminar organized by the MUST Association of Pharmaceutical Science Students. Among several student innovations, the herbal wound spray stood out for its potential to deliver practical and affordable health solutions.
Under the mentorship of Ivan Kahwa, a part-time lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy, the team embarked on a rigorous research process that included laboratory experiments, phytochemical analysis and microbiological testing. They worked through several prototypes to refine the formulation and ensure the product’s safety and consistency.
Their progress gained momentum later that year when the team received a seed grant from MUST’s Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITT). This support enabled them to purchase raw materials, laboratory equipment and cover testing costs. The CITT’s backing also helped them complete the NDA notification process, a critical regulatory step toward official recognition.
By November 2023, their innovation had earned national attention. The VEP Herbal Wound Spray won the Heroes in Health Award (Student Innovation category) from Uganda’s Ministry of Health, recognizing it as the best student innovation of the year. The award celebrated the team’s ability to blend traditional herbal practices with modern pharmaceutical science and underscored its potential impact on community health.
Institutional and Collaborative Support
Behind the VEP project’s success lies a strong network of institutional and external support. The Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITT) at MUST played a central role in funding, guiding and connecting the team to innovation and regulatory resources. Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, CITT Director, noted that the center supports medical technology and herbal standardization initiatives to help student inventors move from research to commercialization.
The Pharm-Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine Centre (PHARMBIOTRAC) provided laboratory facilities, technical assistance and equipment for testing and refining the spray. Additionally, external partners such as the Consortium for Affordable Medical Technology (CAMTech) – Uganda and StartHub Africa offered mentorship and entrepreneurship training, helping the team develop a strong business plan and prepare for future product launch opportunities.
Several university departments, including Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Microbiology, contributed technical expertise and academic supervision to maintain scientific standards throughout development.
The Team Behind the Breakthrough
At the core of this success is a passionate team of student innovators led by Delafrique Deogratias, who also served as Project Lead and Quality Assurance Head. His leadership ensured that the product maintained scientific integrity and met regulatory expectations. The team included Okoth Raphaelina (Co-Lead for Manufacturing and Scale-up), Mutyaba Ronald (Formulation and Optimisation), Ainembabazi Lucky (Research and Innovation Head), Atuhairwe Marvis (Laboratory Analysis and Testing), Muhire Samuel (Pharmacy Operations) and Ashaba Patience (Sales and Marketing).
Under the mentorship of Ivan Kahwa, the group navigated the challenges of research, testing and regulation with persistence and collaboration. Together, they demonstrated how multidisciplinary teamwork and student leadership can bring meaningful change to healthcare innovation in Uganda.
Paving the Way for the Future of Herbal Innovation
The approval of the VEP Herbal Wound Spray marks a significant achievement not just for Delafrique and his team but for Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. It demonstrates that with mentorship, institutional backing and strategic partnerships, young innovators can create high-impact, scalable solutions to real-world problems.
As a beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellow, Delafrique’s journey underscores the power of youth-driven innovation to improve lives while promoting sustainability.
