Herbal researcher and natural medicine innovator David Ssenfuka has announced legal action against journalist Andrew Mwenda and The Independent magazine, accusing them of defamation over an article published in April that described him as a “conman.”
Speaking to journalists, Ssenfuka said he had instructed his lawyers, Onyx Advocates, to institute court proceedings against Mwenda and the publication, seeking 300 million US dollars in damages, arguing that the publication severely harmed both his reputation and his medical research project.
According to Ssenfuka, the contested article was published on April 20, 2026, in The Independent newspaper and on its online platform. He alleges that Mwenda referred to him as a “conman” and likened his ability to persuade people to someone who “could sell refrigerators to Eskimos (Inuits).”
Ssenfuka described the remarks as false, malicious and defamatory, saying they portrayed him as a fraud and damaged years of work in natural medicine research.
“I am a victim of defamation arising from false, malicious and defamatory statements published against me,” Ssenfuka told journalists.
He argued that under Ugandan law, defamatory statements are those that lower a person’s reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of society or expose them to hatred, ridicule or contempt.
Claims about medical research
Ssenfuka said he has spent years researching natural remedies for chronic illnesses, particularly diabetes and cancer, through his organizations, Leonia-NNN Medical Research & Diagnostic Center Ltd and LEONBIOTEC Foundation Ltd.
He claims to have developed a natural medical solution capable of treating diabetes and cancer, saying the innovation underwent animal trials at the Uganda Natural Chemotherapeutic Research Institute, where he alleges researchers found promising results relating to diabetes treatment.
Ssenfuka further stated that in 2021, the then Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero, reviewed his project through the Presidential Scientific Initiative on Epidemics and recommended further technical support and testing.
However, there is currently no publicly available evidence showing that Ssenfuka’s claimed treatment has completed the full scientific and regulatory approval process required for a medicine to be recognised as safe and effective for public use in Uganda.
The researcher also cited a series of engagements with senior government officials.
He said that in March 2023, together with several prominent Ugandan leaders and academics—including retired Chief Justice Samuel Wambuzi, retired High Court judge John Bosco Katusi, the late Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, former Buganda Kingdom Premier Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, veteran broadcaster John Mujinya Bigyemano, former MP Kasole Lwanga and former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu—they wrote to then US President Joe Biden and President Yoweri Museveni seeking support to commercialize his innovation.
According to Ssenfuka, President Museveni later invited him to State House, Entebbe, where he briefed the President on his research.
He further claimed that in April 2025 he was invited to appear before Cabinet alongside Prof. Charles Ibingira and Dei Biopharma Managing Director Dr. Mathias Magoola to discuss the project.
Ssenfuka said Cabinet subsequently agreed in principle to support further development of the innovation and the establishment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, although the government has not publicly announced the approval of such funding.
He also alleged that a delegation of American investors visited Uganda on several occasions after expressing interest in the project, but President Museveni declined proposals to sell it outright, reportedly saying the innovation belonged to Uganda.
Alleged damage
Ssenfuka said Mwenda’s publication had caused significant reputational and financial damage.
He claimed that potential international investors, donors, philanthropists and foreign governments had become reluctant to engage with his project following the publication.
He also said he has faced widespread criticism from members of the public, affecting both his professional standing and personal wellbeing.
According to Ssenfuka, the publication has caused emotional distress, anxiety and uncertainty while undermining years of research aimed at finding affordable treatments for diabetes and cancer.
He argues that instead of being recognised for medical innovation, he has become the subject of ridicule.
Ssenfuka said he has instructed Onyx Advocates to file a defamation suit against Andrew Mwenda and The Independent, seeking 300 million US dollars in compensation for the alleged damage to both his reputation and what he describes as a billion-dollar medical research project.
