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CIT’s Data Collection Software to power Vaccine Trials

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Makerere University Faculty of Computing & IT (FCIT) has developed data collection software that gathers, analyzes and stores data. OpenXData was developed as the first stage of the three stages of the Open Mobile Electronic Vaccine Trials (OMEVAC) project.

Makerere University Faculty of Computing & IT (FCIT) has developed data collection software that gathers, analyzes and stores data. OpenXData was developed as the first stage of the three stages of the Open Mobile Electronic Vaccine Trials (OMEVAC) project.

This software, intended for data collecting institutions, is made largely for the vaccine trials data collection.

The program has two sides: the server side where the administrator designs the questionnaire, sets formats for the data, manages users, reviews results and stores information and the client side where a download of the form can be accessed and the questionnaire itself availabled for the client to fill.

According to Ms. Lighton the Project Coordinator, the program is void of error, more accurate than manual data collection, and has embraced use of the most widely accessed technology, the mobile phone.

OpenXData involves the use of a mobile phone, a tool that is within the reach of most Ugandans” Ms. Lighton said, adding that “it is more accurate and less susceptible to human error compared to the traditional questionnaires.”

The project can be remotely monitored, hence eliminating the need for the researcher to physically travel to the field so as to gather accurate information. “The program can be monitored from the server, so the researcher need not be at the intended place, since the server will indicate the location of the cell phone used.” Ms. Lighton further expounded.

Although this program is considered an innovation in Uganda, similar programs have been used elsewhere in Rwanda University for student data collection, and for humanitarian purposes in Pakistan. Nearer home, it has been used by the Ministry of Education to monitor students. However, the major difference with these previous projects is that the more expensive PDAs were employed, unlike OpenXData which seeks to use the cheaper mobile phone and any computer web browser.

In the Ugandan case, java-enabled phones would be recommended as these facilitate the download and subsequent filling out of the forms by the researcher, with the aid of the Open X Data program client side. The form may then be sent to the server via the internet or through Bluetooth wireless file transfer, if the client is within proximity of a Bluetooth-enabled computer with an internet connection. Alternatively the information may be sent via SMS, although this would be more costly than online transmission.

The program will be availed for the vaccine trials project once all the three stage are complete. However, the project has already awakened keen interest and received high recognition from service providers, researchers, program managers and program evaluators since its launch in November 2009.

Article by Kogai Donald 

Denis Wamala

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Call For Abstracts: National Symposium on Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda

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Call For Abstracts: National Symposium on Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda. Submission Deadline: 9th June 2026

Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Tufts University, and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), invites researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community actors to submit abstracts for the National Symposium on:

Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda: Local Voices for Policy Impact

Date: Wednesday, 12th August 2026
Venue: Makerere University Main Hall

The symposium will examine the drivers, patterns, and impacts of climate-induced youth migration in Uganda, while advancing evidence-based and community-informed policy responses.

Theme: Climate-Induced Youth Migration and Urban Futures in Uganda: Evidence, Voices, and Pathways for Action

Submission Deadline: 9th June 2026

Submit Abstracts To: citiesofyouth@musph.ac.ug

Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to contribute research findings, case studies, policy analyses, and practice-based experiences. Abstracts will be considered for oral and poster presentations.

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Call for Research Support Applications from Master’s Students who have Completed their First Year of Taught Classes at Makerere University

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Call for Research Support Applications from Master’s Students who have Completed their First Year of Taught Classes at Makerere University. Photo: Nano Banan 2

Makerere University, in partnership with Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Independent University of Bangladesh, Eduardo Mondlane University, and Pokhara University, with funding from Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED), is implementing a project: ‘Co-creating Knowledge for Local Adaptation to Climate Change in LDCs (COLOCAL).

The expected outputs of the project include strengthened educational and research capacity, improved knowledge on inclusive Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) and Community Based Adaptation (CBA) including delivering skilled knowledge co-creators, and partnerships to support needs-driven, locally-based and contextually sensitive adaptation. The outputs are anticipated to influence policy, planning and practice around LLA and CBA through collaborative learning and knowledge translation.

In line with targets and activities for 2026/2027, COLOCAL project is offering research support for three (3) Master’s students who have completed their first academic year of taught classes at Makerere University and are interested in undertaking research under one of the following thematic areas. The students MUST have undertaken the course offered under the auspices of the project on Disability, Social Justice and Climate Resilient Development.

Requirements:

  • A first degree from a reputable university in a field related to the focus of the project
  • Ugandan citizen below 35 years
  • Good command of English (spoken and written)
  • Demonstrated interest in inclusive and climate resilient development
  • Evidence of practical experience in conducting relevant research during and after undergraduate level
  • Evidence of full payment of all university fees for the first academic year
  • The Masters programme being undertaken MUST have explicit content on climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Special consideration will be given to students with disabilities, financial challenges, students from ethnic minority groups, internally displaced students, among others

Scholarship and study/research conditions

Availability to complete all research activities in a maximum of 10 months.

Scope of the scholarship

The project will specifically cover stipends and support for field activities only. Support with tuition fees, for the research year, will be provided for students who will complete and submit the research thesis for examination within 10 months from the date of receiving the scholarship offer letter.

How to apply

Interested and eligible candidates should submit the following documents: Application letter, research concept note of not more than 2 pages, academic transcripts/certificates, an updated CV (including contacts of at least two referees) and two recommendation letters.

Send applications via email to: colocal.caes@mak.ac.ug, not later than 20th May, 2026. This contact can as well be used for inquiries, where necessary.

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Request For Consultancy Services: Training & Digital Solutions Expert

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Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Request For Consultancy Services: Training & Digital Solutions Expert. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa

The Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Limited implemented a Gates Foundation training program dubbed “Principle of Management Excellence for Research training” PRIMER in francophone countries, namely, Mali, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This training was delivered by content experts and experienced practitioners, not professionally trained experts. As such, limiting the quality of slide decks, which were largely fragmented with text rather than graphical and infographic elements that suit a mature audience. To effectively deliver a research training program, advanced, engaging, and efficient tools are critical for fostering audience engagement and participation, and for learning and assessment in research management excellence. To achieve this, IDI seeks to hire an expert to:

  1. design and deliver a set of integrated advanced slide decks combining text, visual learning materials (graphical and infographics) and case scenarios
  2. develop a virtual bilingual community learning platform (VBCLP), i.e. with in-built French and English to engage alumni,
  3. develop and automate a pre-course assessment system that potential trainees fill out, and it automates results that are presented in statistical form for easy interpretation and decision making.

Details: https://shorturl.at/Rzn8d

Apply to: EAkankwasa@idi.co.ug

Deadline: 5 June 2026, 5 PM EAT

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