General
MakSPH and Partners Promote Infection Prevention and Control Practices among CHWs in Wakiso
In recent years, there has been an increase in hospital and community acquired infections globally. Scientists all over the world have continued to emphasize the importance of hand hygiene as one of the most effective methods of prevention and control of infectious diseases including resistant microbes. Recently, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in partnership with Pharmacy Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity (COVAB), Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT), the Ministry of Health, and Wakiso District Local Government trained over 200 Community Health Workers (CHWs), locally known as Village Health Teams (VHTs). The training held in Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso District was on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) with emphasis on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices particularly handwashing. This training was conducted as part of a project on AMS funded by the Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship Scheme (CwPAMS), an initiative of Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) under the Fleming Fund of the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Following these trainings, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) with support of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association spearheaded a fundraising campaign using crowd-funding that raised resources to extend the reach of AMS and IPC activities to other areas of Wakiso district. In early March 2020, a team from Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) led by Dr. David Musoke (Lecturer, Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health) trained all CHWs on Bussi and Zzinga Islands on Lake Victoria in Wakiso district on IPC practices with emphasis on hand washing with soap. This training was timely given the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected over 940,000 people and led to more than 47,000 deaths globally, with hand washing as the critical prevention method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health (MOH).
The CHWs were taught the importance and proper hand washing technique which was further illustrated with the Glo Germ gel experiment. In addition to the training, every CHW was provided with a hand washing facility which included a plastic jerry can and metallic stand.
Bussi Secondary School, Zzinga Health Centre II, Bishop Kauma Zzinga Primary School, and selected local leaders also received hand washing facilities. During a session at Bussi Secondary School, Dr. Musoke sensitized students on infection prevention practices such as hand washing with emphasis on its importance in the prevention of the Coronavirus among other diseases.
The Zzinga Health Centre II in-charge Ms. Christine Wanyana greatly appreciated Makerere University and partners for considering island communities for health promotion interventions.
“Thank you Dr. Musoke and your team at Makerere University. We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to the UK colleagues particularly Buckinghamshire hospital and the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association that led the fundraising for these handwashing facilities. Our VHTs have been empowered and I am sure they will be change agents in our communities. We are also grateful for the cleaning equipment that has been given to our health centre to improve sanitation.” Ms. Wanyana said.
The CHWs were very happy to have been empowered with not only knowledge but also provided with facilities with which to wash their hands as a means of improving sanitation and hygiene within their communities.
One of the CHWs said: “I am happy that I will have this handwashing facility in my home. Other members of the community will learn from me how to wash their hands. I am also pleased that we have been the first CHWs to be selected to receive these hand washing facilities in the entire Busiro South constituency despite the remoteness of these islands.”
During the handover of the hand washing facilities to the CHWs, Mr. Stanley Kabuye, the LC III Chairperson of Bussi sub county, Wakiso district emphasized how these hand washing facilities will help in the fight against diarrheal diseases and the emerging Corona virus. As Dr. Musoke addressed the CHWs, he thanked them for the tremendous work they do, and encouraged them to be proud of their contribution to the health system despite being volunteers.
“Don’t think you are not making an impact in our country. As VHTs, you do a lot of work to promote health and prevent diseases in your communities. You go to people’s homes and educate them about health issues, which cannot be by done health workers who are primarily based at health facilities, among other numerous roles you play. You therefore contribute significantly to the overall health of the community and your sacrifices as volunteers make a very big impact within the country.” Dr. Musoke emphasized.
The capacity building on IPC was conducted after a 2-day training of CHWs on non-communicable diseases in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, UK with funding support from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) England.
Through the Food for Peace initiative, the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport is stepping in to provide meals to over 200 students who struggle to afford meals, especially during the examination period.
According to Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and President of the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport, hundreds of students drop out of Makerere University every year due to financial constraints. The reality for those who remain is sometimes tougher, for they struggle to survive.
While addressing the media at a press conference held at Makerere University on November 11, 2026, Prof. Nawangwe shared that many of these students skip meals, a situation that is more frequent during examination periods, when the demands on the brain are much greater.
The University is aware of these reports and in his capacity as Vice Chancellor and President of the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport, Prof. Nawangwe lobbied the club to take action.
In preparation for intervention, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted, inviting students to come forward and share their needs. About 200 students responded to the survey, indicating a pressing need for food support during examinations.
The findings birthed a legacy project code-named “Food for Peace”, targeting, for a start, 206 students at Makerere University, regardless of their sponsorship status, as long as they participated in the survey. The Makerere Rotary Peace Centre spearheaded the survey that helped identify the first cohort of those who will benefit from the initiative and guided that for a dignified experience, the beneficially names will remain in records and not disclosed.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasised that the core mission of this cause is to move a step up with efforts to ensure that economically challenged students at Makerere University do not go a day without a meal. Service providers in halls of residence will serve these students their food following a meal card.
Seeding the Project
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, the Rotary International Director (RID) for Zone 22, while launching the initiative shared his personal experience of facing challenges that almost barred him from attaining an education. He believes education is an equaliser in life and that everyone should have a chance to access it. He reminded those in the room that they were all there together because of education.
RID Katongole highlighted the importance of supporting people, both as individuals and as a community. He expressed pride in being part of the launch of this project because it is going to create many more “Emmanuel Katongoles” through the provision of a meal.
He therefore personally committed to contribute UGX 5 million annually, starting this year, for as long as he lives or until the project ends. He also pledged to remain part of the initiative.
92nd Guild Commends “Service above Self”
From a student perspective, H.E. Kadondi Gracious, the 92nd Makerere University Guild President, delivered a vote of thanks for the initiative. She noted that students had petitioned Parliament to intervene in the matter and were happy that solutions had started coming from within.
She framed this move not just as charity, but as a way of restoring hope to Makerereans who were unsure of how they were going to maneuver through the examination period without lunch. In appreciation, the Guild President commended Rotary for showing what it actually means to offer service above self.
Sustainability of the “Food for Peace” Project
Although the immediate intervention is directed towards fewer than 300 students who expressed a need for assistance, the vision is bigger and looking beyond the current examination season.
As the Rotary Passport Club President noted, “if this is going to be sustainable, it means we are going to look out for partners to create a fund to sustain this initiative.”
The Club Secretary, Associate Professor Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, explained that as a legacy project, it is not a one-off. She committed the services of the Passport Club to supporting this legacy project.
Grounding the sustainability move, RID Emmanuel Katongole set the pace by pledging annual cash and in-kind support towards providing consistent assistance to students throughout subsequent academic periods, thereby enhancing student welfare over the long term.
Dr Winfred Kabumbuli, the Makerere University Dean of Students, showed strong support for the initiative since it falls within the core mission of student welfare. She appreciated the collaboration with Makerere University Passport Club, and pledged to rally internal support.
Call to Action and Contributions
The Club President made an appeal to alumni, corporate bodies, development partners, individuals and institutions of goodwill to join this noble cause, intended to ensure that students not only remain at the University but also attain their full potential on a full stomach.
The immediate fundraising goal is UGX 10 million shillings, which is required to implement the initial phase of food support. Excess amounts collected will facilitate an increase in the number of beneficiaries and after the examination period, add to the kitty for subsequent semesters.
Support and assistance can come in the form of financial contributions, food supplies, corporate partnerships, logistical support, and long-term partnerships.
To facilitate support, the club, through its Charter Treasurer (C.T.), Professor Winston Tumps Ireeta, shared the banking details as follows
Bank: NCBA Uganda Limited.
Account Name: Rotary Club of Makerere Passport
Uganda Shillings (UGX) Account Number: 228129200017
United States Dollar (USD) Account Number: 228129200027
SWIFT Code: CBAFUGKA
Bank Code: 36
Students were left with one final promise from the Chief Guest, “you are no longer alone. You have a partner in the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport.”
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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