Busitema University’s Dr. Gerald Zirintunda Triumphs with PhD in Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Gerald Zirintunda, a dedicated lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Sciences at Busitema University, has been awarded a PhD in Veterinary Medicine from Makerere University. His research provides groundbreaking insights into the use of medicinal plants to control chicken helminths, a major challenge for poultry farmers in Uganda.
For many rural households in Soroti and beyond, chickens are a vital source of income and nutrition. Yet, intestinal worms and other parasites can decimate flocks, reducing productivity and threatening livelihoods. Dr. Zirintunda’s work sought to find practical, locally available solutions by tapping into Uganda’s rich tradition of medicinal plant use.
“I wanted to understand which plants farmers were using, how effective they really were, and whether they were safe for chickens,” Dr. Zirintunda explained. “Our goal was to combine indigenous knowledge with scientific evaluation to provide farmers with evidence-based solutions.”
His study documented 28 plant families and 39 species commonly used to treat chicken worms. Notably, Capsicum annuum and Carica papaya emerged as the most popular and effective options. Using laboratory analysis and experiments, Dr. Zirintunda tested the plants’ chemical properties, their ability to paralyze worms, and their safety for live chickens.
The results were promising. One extract, derived from Carica papaya, performed comparably to synthetic dewormers like levamisole hydrochloride, while other plant extracts also showed higher efficacy than commonly used piperazine citrate. However, the study also revealed that not all herbal remedies are harmless. Some extracts showed mild toxicity, emphasizing the importance of careful dosing and monitoring.
“This research highlights the power of indigenous knowledge,” said Dr. Zirintunda. “But it also shows why scientific validation is critical. Farmers now have data they can trust, and this can help improve poultry health and productivity sustainably.”
Dr. Zirintunda’s work bridges tradition and science, offering a practical, locally-driven approach to poultry health management. It is a reminder that solutions to some of Uganda’s most pressing agricultural problems can often be found in the knowledge of the people who live closest to the land.
Dr. Zirintunda also evaluated safety, examining haematological, biochemical, and histopathological effects on chickens. While most extracts showed some level of toxicity, CPLa emerged as the safest, demonstrating minimal adverse effects on organs and blood chemistry. These findings emphasize that while traditional remedies hold promise, careful preparation and dosing are critical, mirroring the precision required in conventional medicine.
Dr. Zirintunda’s achievement also marks a significant milestone for Busitema University, highlighting the institution’s growing role in advancing applied agricultural research in Uganda. His work demonstrates how locally relevant research can bridge tradition and science, offering practical solutions that are both culturally resonant and scientifically validated.
With his PhD, Dr. Zirintunda not only strengthens the capacity of Busitema University in veterinary research but also contributes to the broader goal of improving livelihoods and resilience for smallholder poultry farmers in Uganda.
