SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE—The infamous traditional herbalist Isidore Mahoro is back in the news, this time around  for the right reasons. According to authorities at the Institute of Scientific Research and Technology in Butare, tests on Mahoro’s purported HIV/Aids cure are nearing completion.

According to Dr Marie José Bigendako, previous tests at the research centre indicated that Mahoro’s drugs had positive results on patients.

"Research on a drug is a long and tedious process. A single test cannot tell if a drug is effective or not. After carrying out tests at our institute, we sent samples to Belgium where more tests will be carried out,” said Bigendako.

Researchers there have communicated that their work is complete and that they are compiling a report on their findings that will be delivered on October 13.

Professor Bajyana Emmanuel, dean of Faculty of Science at the University of Rwanda, who is also part of the team researching on Mahoro’s drug, said that tests in Belgium focused on the toxicity of the drug.

"We wanted to find out if the drug can have negative effects on a patient taking it. After results are delivered, research will continue,” said Professor Bajyana.

Isidore Mahoro who was also in attendance at the celebrations to mark African Day of Traditional Medicine, being held for the fifth time, said that he was eagerly awaiting results from the research.

Mahoro, a resident of Buye in Muhanga district (formerly Gitarama) came to light in 2004 when he claimed to have found an HIV/AIDS cure through the "inspiration of the Virgin Mary.”

Many people, desperate for a cure thronged his premises. The Ministry of Health moved in and stopped his operations. He was advised to cooperate with the Institute of Scientific Research and Technology to do comprehensive research on his purported HIV/Aids cure.

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