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IDI Holds Lab Open Day
On Thursday 13th February, 2020. the Core Lab under the Laboratory Programme at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in Mulago hosted a tour around its facilities in a bid to present its achievements. The tour also presented an opportunity to create awareness of the services offered there and their contribution towards patient safety through quality laboratory service delivery.
The event opened with annotations from key stakeholders including the Dr. Isaac Ssewanyana, Director of the Uganda National Health Laboratory, who spoke on behalf of Dr. Susan Nabadda, the Commissioner, Uganda National Laboratory Services (UNLS). His remarks were followed by a tour and a myriad of highlights in the lab, including sixteen successive years of College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation. The visitors were invited to view a vast array of state-of-the-art lab technology including Unique Liquid Mass Spectrometer, the first of its kind in East and Central Africa.
Dr. Andrew Kambugu, the Sande McKinnell, Executive Director of IDI commended the lab for the high standards maintained since inception in 2003. He said the lab was open for routine tests-use in clinical management in addition to research tests.
“This laboratory is a great step towards Uganda’s journey in the health sector; a step that can prove that Uganda can develop and deliver internationally competent services,” he added.
Tea-time involved interactions, comments, and appreciations from the guests. Prof. Charles George Okiria, the Chairperson Allied Health Professionals Council Uganda noted that as a council, they are proud to be associated with the Infectious Diseases Institute. He acknowledged the lab for rising above the standards of the regular yardsticks used to assess laboratories.
Simon Peter Rugera, Head of the Medical Laboratory Science Department at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) said he was very happy about the work that was being done at IDI and requested for it to be extended to MUST through Masters student trainings.
Dr. Rohan Nzije advised that IDI continue to build capacity of laboratory technicians, but consider bringing on board clinicians and medical personnel, who are going to use the lab services on a regular basis.
Article by IDI Communications Office
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
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