Ugandans’ search for prowess and virility

In the deep secrecy behind the walls of many adult Ugandans’ bedrooms, a world of frustration beholds - a result of disappointing sexual experiences.

What has made this frustration even more strongly felt is that it is not like the ordinary health ailments whose contraction can be sorted out by a simple stroll to a drug-shop down the road. Things to do with sex come with a strong societal taboo feeling, like a huge curse hangs over our heads waiting to befall us when they are mentioned publically. So, many suffer with these scenarios silently.

Others, however, are out there seeking solutions. And it is for this reason that sex enhancements have gained a significant presence on the market, offering a solution to many a form of sexual failure. Out of these needs therefore, a strong trade of aphrodisiacs has grown and blossomed to near industry level.

Ssengas
The wider section of this aphrodisiac trade that even boasts high sales of figures in the hundreds of thousands of shillings is found in the Katwe and Makindye suburbs of Kampala.

Just opposite the courts of law in Makindye, is a string of shops and stalls that looks like an arcade of sorts. You are likely to think, upon arrival, that it is a trading hub with groceries and any other shops that you will find in an arcade. But they are not ordinary shops. We counted over 30 shops of this kind at the “arcade”. Up on the roofs, large posters stand announcing the presence of herbal specialists who are “experts” in the field of virility.

These “experts” are almost always, women. You have probably seen many an advert for their services in the classified sections of the newspapers, stating their ability to heal and eradicate any sexual malfunction under the sun. They also run shows on FM radio stations, which previously used to air in the wee hours of the night (presumably when children are asleep), but have recently grown bolder and air in broad day light. They however use poetic language, maybe as a way of encrypting the talk and stopping children from listening in.

As soon as you walk into this “arcade” in Makindye, it will almost be obvious just what on earth has brought you – because there is no other form of trade going on there. Looks and sharp stares will screen you from the moment you walk in, all the way around the shops. Some will call out to you as a way of inviting you in. Others continue to stare.

Trying to buy some “goodies”
Soon, those stares start to become uncomfortable, griping you with a strong feeling of guilt, because the stares seem to suggest the people know exactly what has brought you down there and are thus going through the list of sexual ailments to figure out what befits you. You would not expect to find a child in an environment where adult content is the subject of trade. But there are many running and playing about, while some are left to man the shops.

On our visit, the Ssenga in question, dressed in red rubber slippers, a blue coloured kanga (lesu), and a sleeveless blouse, sat back on a wooden chair and gave this reporter a long surveying stare. She seemed to wonder why a young man, evidently in his mid-20s at the oldest, would come seeking sex enhancements.

“How can I help you?” she said, to break the silence.

“I would like to buy herbs for sexual virility,” this reporter said.

“What exactly is your condition?” she inquired.

This reporter went on to make up a condition of weak erections, and told it to the woman.

She, in turn, replied. “That is very serious. You need to take a lot of medicine because this problem has caught you at a very young age. Even if you are very handsome, your looks will not help you if you function poorly in bed. But we have the right medicine for that problem,” she added.

The Ssenga almost spoke with an air of professionalism. The key word is almost, because although she spoke about sex in a very plain, matter-of-fact way, looking you straight in the eye and holding your gaze, she would then suddenly burst into giggles as she spoke, making it hard to judge whether she was a seasoned practitioner of this trade or not.

She later threw the price bombshell. The medicine to improve virility would cost Shs80,000.

“In fact, I have had mercy on you because you are young. But when we get old men, the cheapest is Shs150,000. Some of our customers come from as far as Sudan and those ones we do not even forgive because they are rich. We charge them Shs250,000,” she added.

The pleas for a price reduction were futile. And upon receiving the cash, she matched into a room at the back where she could be heard pouring liquids into containers. She emerged about three minutes later with a red 500ml red jerry can, filled with a liquid.

This liquid, she said, should be drunk twice a day, preferably after meals. She then made a mixture of powders, which is discussed later in this story.

She said changes would start to manifest after a week. But that if no changes are reported, then an even stronger herb would have to be used; this of course, costs more money.

There were times when the Ssenga spoke with the tone of a seasoned medical doctor. She asked about the reporter’s feeding habits, levels and amounts of work and rest and whether these could be leading to stress. She then advised against eating oily and sugary foods, saying this blocks body vessels, which in turn lowers virility.

A greater pitch
After making her sale, the Ssenga made a pitch for an even bigger sale.

“Would you want to increase your size?” she asked teasingly.

“Yes I would,” this reporter replied after a little hesitation. How much is it?”

“Huh, now that one is a special case. We charge a higher price but for you, I will be lenient; it will cost only Shs250,000,” she said. She mentioned the prices as simply as if she was mentioning hundreds of shillings. She defended the price, saying older men pay up to Shs600,000 for the same.

The reporter replied saying they would go look for the money and return another day.

Upon leaving the shops, the stares from onlookers were even more obvious. Walking out as you carried a polythene bag, made it all the obvious that you had a sexual problem that you had come to address. And having all those eyes staring down at you made you want to just disappear into the air.

Besides Ssenga’s “medicine”, society has time and again provided herbal cures for conditions such as sex dyfunction.

The Mulondo myth
One of the commonest beliefs in society is that the roots of the Mulondo tree are a source of rejuvenation for virility in men and for some women too. The roots, together with roasted coffee seeds, used to be an occasional sight on the streets of Kampala, before Kampala Capital City Authority rendered vendors persona non grata.

But nothing could be farther away from the truth, at least, according to traders who sell the roots. One, Fred Luyimbazi, says the myth that Mulondo roots improve sex performances are based on the tuber’s shape. “The Mulondo are long and erect,” he says. “That shape made people start thinking that it can make men stronger. In fact, when most men are buying the roots, they choose those roots, which are long and straight. But truth be told, these roots don’t have any (virile) effect ,” he added.

Instead, the roots have a set of unrelated health benefits, which still make them attractive. “Eating this root will for instance help you have better breath, say in case you did not brush your teeth. Most people who eat them however, do it because they (roots) can improve your appetite (for food). They have a way of making you feel hungry very fast, so for people who are sickly and do not want to eat, the mulondo can help.” The roasted coffee seeds do not have any virile effect either but instead help restore appetite levels.

The Omusongola tree
So because Mulondo traders have become inundated with queries from consumers inquiring whether the roots have aphrodisiac properties, they (traders) now move with “real aphrodisiacs” for those consumers who need them. “And there are many people of this kind,” says Luyimbazi.

One of these such supplements is a brown dust-like powdered substance from the Omusongola tree. The traders sell about three table spoons worth of the powder at Shs2,000. It is this same powder that the Ssenga in Makindye gave this reporter.

“Now, this powder is what will make a man improve his sex life,” Luyimbazi says. “It will enlarge the veins and tubes in your system and make you have a stronger erection,” he adds. It is administered through beverages or orally. “You can mix this with tea and drink normally, in the morning and in the evening,” he says.

Those who are not afraid of a bitter taste, can take the powder raw. Luyimbazi also says the powder can treat fevers as well, but we could not prove that.

The powder is developed after a process that involves cutting off scrapings from the Omusongola tree trunk. The scrapings are then crashed into a finer form of residue, which is later sieved to come up with the final powder. And yes, these have become major business opportunities in the city. Luyimbazi says he can make up to Shs40,000 a day, just hawking his sex-enhancements and roots. The roots and the coffee are largely bought from Luweero District.

A purchase of bravery
The experience that people who have sexual disorders face as they try to put things right thus seems to be an experience of guts. It involves the act of having to face another human being with whom you do not share any intimacy and sharing concerns of the most private of your life’s activities. The idea of walking through the “arcade” amidst stares is not one anybody would love to endure. The suppliers seem to know this too and they have a provision of delivering the medicines to you privately, for a fee. As if the apparent public shame is not enough, it is an expensive affair, as seen from the prices that were charged by the Ssengas in Makindye. The presence of expensive cars at the site, like Toyota Harriers and the like, would suggest either the presence of rich clients or rich traders. It gives signs of the seriousness of a problem that many face, and, try desperately to solve at whatever cost.

Caution:
It should be noted that this story will not put its neck out to say that these herbs either have efficacy or not, as that was not tested. The National Drug Authority (NDA) distances itself from these herbalists and advises Ugandans to steer clear of these products. Julius Babiiha, NDA’s Drug Information Officer, says the mere act of advertising the herbal medicines is itself illegal. He says NDA concerns itself with ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs for Ugandans, but that it can only express itself on this for drugs that are on its register, or, those of which it has been notified. The herbs in question here have not been registered by NDA, he adds, and thus the authority cannot confirm their efficacy or even safety.

Other cases of sex enhancement drugs are those that are mechanically manufactured and processed, for instance Viagra. These are openly sold in pharmacies across the counter, very often without prescription. The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) warns that these drugs should only be consumed on a doctor’s advice.

“Viagra for instance if not supposed to be taken by patients with heart diseases,” says Samuel Opio, the PSU Secretary. “It can worsen their condition and lead to cardiac arrests,” he adds.

As for products which are marketed as being able to say enlarge women’s breasts and hips, Opio says they contain oestrogen hormones that are only supposed to be consumed in case the patient is suffering a deficiency, and again, it is only a qualified doctor who is supposed to decide this. Consumption of these hormones without a deficiency can lead to excess levels in the body, which can in turn lead to breast cancer or even cancer of the uterus.

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