General
MakSPH and WHO to collaborate on research and building capacity in Public health
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) on Wednesday 27th March 2019, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Health Organization (WHO). The MoU aimed at strengthening relationship and providing an organized framework of collaboration (on institutional basis) between the two parties. The agreement is the first of its kind between WHO and MakSPH. In Uganda, MakSPH is the leading institutions in public health research and training.
According to Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the WHO, Country Representative to Uganda, the MoU stipulates the roles and responsibilities of Makerere University School of Public Health and World Health Organization in promoting safe, effective and affordable research products; capacity building and community service to the public.
The two parties will collaborate in the following areas;
- Planning and implementation of joint research projects between WHO and MakSPH in priority public health areas, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, health system strengthening
- Sharing information and knowledge between the two institutions, within acceptable institutional structures
- Supporting training and research programmes for the World Health Organization and Vice versa;
- Strengthening networking opportunities between the two institutions
- Holding Quarterly meeting to discuss issues of mutual public health importance and research priorities; and
- Whenever necessary and appropriate, jointly hold policy dialogues with stakeholders
Prof. Wanyenze highly commended the already existing relationship between MakSPH and WHO and looked forward to a fruitful collaboration between the two institutions. On behalf of the School and Makerere University, Prof. Wanyenze pledged to work hand in hand with WHO and Ministry of Health to promote the attainment of better health for the people of Uganda and beyond through Public Health Training, Research and Community service.
“We have done good work with WHO and Ministry of Health but it has been on individual basis. Having a collaboration at this institutional level provides an opportunity to jointly identify the priorities in research, training and community engagement,” she said.
She was happy to note that the MoU signed, presents the School of Public Health with a lot of opportunities to enrich their research agenda.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding climaxed with a Seminar on the current and future Global Health Practices for World Health organization and the Role of the Academia by Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam. Held in the Davis Lecture theatre, the well-attended session by staff and students of Makerere University College of Health Sciences, provided an insight on the Health Sector Development Plan (HDP) 2016-2020, WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy 2016-2020, 13th WHO Global Programme of Work and Country prioritization 2019-2023.
Dr. Woldemariam encouraged researchers and academicians to always focus on results and evidence-oriented research as well as training and building capacity on health among publics. “Ensure that what your government or organization does; is helping the lives of people. Demand for results and demand for evidence,” he said
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Article by Mak Public Relations Office
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
Related article: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/12/three-years-of-impact-makerere-university-health-user-committee-presents-status-report/
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