New Plant to Kill Mosquito Larvae

By: Gladys Kalibbala
Kampala

A team carrying out research on the use of Luwoko plant to fight malaria believes its dry seeds can kill mosquito larvae when thrown in stagnant water.

Dr Miph Musoke, the principal researcher of the project at the Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, says: "Many people ignore Luwoko, yet it is useful.

In my 14-year research, I have realized that the plant can kill a number of disease vectors, including snails, which are associated with bilharzia, and mosquito larvae that cause malaria."

Musoke, who refers to the plant as green gold, believes it can alleviate poverty as farmers may be required to grow it on a large scale once the research is completed.

"I am optimistic Luwoko has the potential to earn this country millions of dollars when we start supplying it to tropical countries that are infested with malaria," he said.

Primary healthcare state minister Emmanuel Otaala launched the Luwoko Project in Entebbe recently. It will complement the existing malaria preventive methods with the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

Otaala urged the researchers to add value to their Luwoko findings.

"Make more progress. If we leave it at this level, our people will continue dying from malaria," he said.

He asked the Uganda Council of Science and Technology to assist researchers, whom he said, will help the nation come up with environmentally-friendly treatment for malaria.

With a vision that Luwoko may become a cash crop, Musoke has mobilized farmers in Nkumba Central, Bukolwa, Bufuulu and Bendegere villages in Katabi sub-county and Bulwanyi, Kama and Bumpenje villages in Siisa sub-county to grow the plant.

Musoke and his Luwoko team trains the farmers in planting and looking after the plant. The focal person for Luwoko farmers, Augustine Lumala, urged farmers to plant more Luwoko for use in research.

Henry Kajubi, a resident of Bulwanyi village, says there are many mosquitoes in his area. "Mosquitoes breed from abandoned sand mines, making residents sick yet they cannot afford hospital bills. The clinics are expensive yet the only government hospital is in Entebbe," Kajubi said.

Source: www.allafrica.com