Herbalist Ssenfuka Sues Andrew Mwenda, Independent Magazine Over Defamation, Seeks $300 Million

By Swift Reporter 

Natural medicine researcher and innovator David Ssenfuka has announced legal action against journalist Andrew Mwenda and The Independent magazine, accusing them of defamation over an article that allegedly described him as a “conman.”

Addressing a press conference at Makerere Guest House, Ssenfuka said the publication, which appeared on April 20, 2026, had severely damaged his personal and professional reputation, undermined his medical research, and discouraged potential investors and development partners.

According to Ssenfuka, the statements published by Mwenda were false, malicious and defamatory, arguing that they portrayed him as a fraud and subjected him to public ridicule.

“I have become regarded with hatred, contempt, distrust and ridicule because of these publications,” Ssenfuka said. “My reputation and professional standing in medical research have been shattered.”

Ssenfuka said he has instructed his lawyers, Onyx Advocates, to file a defamation suit against Mwenda and The Independent, seeking US$300 million in damages for what he described as the destruction of his reputation and the commercial value of his research project.

The researcher said he has spent years developing a natural medicine that he claims has shown promise in treating diabetes and cancer. He said the innovation underwent animal testing at the Uganda Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, where, according to him, it demonstrated curative properties against Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in laboratory animals.

He further claimed that in July 2021, the then Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, reviewed the project through the Presidential Scientific Initiative on Epidemics and recommended further technical support and testing.

Ssenfuka also said his work later attracted the attention of senior government officials and prominent Ugandan professionals, including retired Chief Justice Samuel Wambuzi, former Makerere University Vice Chancellors Prof. Livingstone Luboobi and Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, among others, who supported efforts to promote the innovation.

According to Ssenfuka, a delegation of American investors later expressed interest in the project after correspondence was sent to former U.S. President Joe Biden. He also claimed that President Yoweri Museveni invited him to State House to present his research and that Cabinet later agreed in principle to support the project through government funding and the establishment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.

Ssenfuka alleges that the publication by Mwenda has since caused potential investors, donors and international partners to reconsider their interest in the project, while exposing him to widespread criticism and damaging public confidence in his work.

He said the alleged defamation has also caused him significant emotional distress, anxiety and reputational harm.

“The work is the passion of my life,” Ssenfuka said. “My goal has always been to help save lives through scientific innovation.”

Neither Andrew Mwenda nor The Independent magazine had publicly responded to Ssenfuka’s allegations at the time of publication.

The case is likely to attract significant public attention, given the high-profile individuals mentioned in Ssenfuka’s account, the substantial damages being sought, and the broader debate surrounding scientific innovation, media freedom and defamation law in Uganda.