By Andrew Irumba
Mbarara: The ownership of Covidex medicine ping-pong between Professor Ogwang Patrick Engeu and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has reached a boiling point, to the extent that now, MUST has issued a statement against the professor warning him of stern legal actions if he doesn’t stop henceforth what they termed as ‘illegal’ production and distribution of the same.
READ ALSO: Prof Ogwang Snubs NBS Covidex Interview After Call From ‘Above’ As Ownership Row With MUST Deepens!
In a statement dated June 14, signed by Vice-Chancellor MUST, Prof Celestine Obua, Ogwang’s Jena Herbals is also warned to stop any production, distribution or sale of Covidex without the express permission of Mbarara University of Science and Technology as the ”holder of the intellectual property rights” for the product.
”Any third party interested in the production, distribution or sale of Covidex herbal medicine should desist from negotiating any deals with any individual, other than the university authority, who are the holders of the intellectual property (IP) rights for this product, and for the avoidance of any doubts, in this case, MUST authority.,” states part of the statement.
In the same statement, Obua adds, ”PSU is hereby advised to work with MUST if they are interested in supporting Prof. Ogwang and the team in the development of Covidex, but not at the exclusion of MUST, the IP owners of the product.”
He further says that in response to curbing COVID-19, PHARMBIOTRAC also University’s property produced a sanitiser (Pharmsan), which has gone through the proper procedures of approval and is now available for public use.
“Covidex is yet another product under development at MUST through PHARMBIOTRAC. The development has taken place at this ACE and a presentation on its development was made to the donors. The product was considered an excellent potential herbal medicine and we were advised to go ahead and follow the normal procedures of approval, according to the approved procedures on drug development and production in Uganda,” Obua said.
This Tuesday morning Professor Ogwang snubbed NBS TV’s Covidex interview. Without giving specific reasons and much details.
The professor’s P/A, only identified as Rebecca was quoted by the TV journalist Midred Tuhaise that the workaholic professor had received a call from ‘above’ who directed him not to take the interview.
“I’m very sorry to be telling you this but again I have to. The professor will not be taking the interview as per directive from ‘above,’” revealed his P/A to the NBS TV crew that was set to interview the professor.
As this controversy continues to deepen, our job here at TheSpy Uganda is to bring you all the news around this as it unfolds….watch the space…..!!!!!!
