General
Mak Stems TB Drug Resistance Trend through Quality Research
The Department of Medical Microbiology in the School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences in conjunction with the Ministry of Health has secured US $10 million from the World Bank to establish Centre of Excellence Laboratories in Mbale, Gulu, Mbarara and Arua.
The Department of Medical Microbiology in the School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences in conjunction with the Ministry of Health has secured US $10 million from the World Bank to establish Centre of Excellence Laboratories in Mbale, Gulu, Mbarara and Arua.
A state-of-the-art laboratory has already been built in Mulago under this project to carryout rapid drug resistance detection, and hence detection that used to take 3 to 6 months can now take one day.
This initiative came in place after research revealed that in Uganda about 500 new cases of multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis occur every year, 50% of which are co-infected with HIV. The World Health Organization also estimates that by 2015 there will be 2 million cases of multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis globally.
Earlier on, Makerere University College of Health Sciences worked with the Welcome Trust, a UK Charity organization to pioneer the treatment of Drug Resistant TB. Consequently, 20 people were treated and cured and the project was handed over to the National TB Programme.
So far the Medical Microbiology Department and the Ministry of Health have also secured funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) –CDC (PEPFAR) and have renovated and upgraded the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL) to a world class laboratory. As a result the NTRL has been recognized as a Supra-National Reference laboratory receiving samples from other countries as well as conducting training for them.
In addition, a specimen referral system has been established where samples of difficult cases are referred to the NTRL from upcountry. A quality assurance system has also been established for all TB laboratories in the country. A Kampala survey was also conducted as well as a national survey which showed the level of drug resistance in the country which helps in guiding control measures.
Another important breakthrough is that the Department of Medical Microbiology working with SIDA SAREC found that 70% of TB in Uganda is caused by one type of organism which the research team named Uganda Genotype. “This is a very important achievement for us because it might give clues on the control of TB in Uganda”, said Associate Professor Moses Joloba, Head of the Medical Microbiology Department and also a member of the research team.
Under the Aeras Global TB Vaccination Foundation, the European and Developing countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), The Infectious Disease Institute (IDI), and the College of Health Sciences through the Department of Microbiology have started work to evaluate various TB vaccines “we have a big population in Iganga and Kampala which we are studying” added Professor Joloba.
The College of Health Sciences is working hard together with its global partners so as to contribute to the national and regional efforts aimed at stemming this trend.
Article by Toko Paul, Intern, Public Relations Office, Makerere University
General
Makerere University, DFCU Bank Sign MoU to Advance Innovation, Student Leadership and Research
By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated.
Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university.
“We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.
The Writers are Interns in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University
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