East African Journal of Health and Science
Navigating Therapeutic Desperation: A Qualitative Retrospective on the Nanyonga Soil-Healing Phenomenon and Medical Pluralism During Uganda's Early HIV/AIDS Crisis
This qualitative retrospective case study investigates the Nanyonga soil-healing phenomenon as a community-driven therapeutic response during the peak of Uganda's early HIV/AIDS epidemic in late 1989. Centred in Ntuku Village, Mawogola County, Sembabule District, this sudden, massive movement emerged under acute therapeutic desperation, characterised by a complete absence of antiretroviral therapy, severe resource constraints, high mortality, and pervasive social stigma. Over several weeks, an estimated hundreds of …