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Mak Launches Coronavirus Immune Therapy (COVIDIT) Study

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Makerere University through its Centre of Excellence for Lung Science, the Makerere University Lung Institute (MLI) in collaboration with Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) Medical Services, Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), Mulago National Referral Hospital and Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) has initiated a project to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 Immune Therapies in Uganda. The project is code named Coronavirus (COVID-19) Immune Therapy (COVIDIT). A team of researchers is harvesting blood from individuals who recovered from COVID-19 and processing it further in preparation for use as treatment for COVID-19 in Uganda.

The first phase of this project is funded by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).

Tuesday 16th June, 2020 marked the kick-off of the plasma donation and processing Work Package in which individuals that have recovered from COVID-19 undergo the donation exercise, with subsequent processing of the collected samples. The kick-off ceremony was held in the Lower Mulago National Referral Hospital Private Outpatients Compound.

The donation processes will be managed by UBTS following usual blood donation standards. UBTS will store the plasma and distribute it for use in the trial (Refer to WP2 below). The kick-off of the donation exercise was witnessed by representatives from the partner institutions and key stakeholders such as Dr. Charles Olaro, Director Health Services who represented Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda's Minister of Health. A plasma donation centre run by UBTS has been established in the newly renovated Mulago Hospital.

Ms. Laura Nagasha, who recovered from COVID-19 was the first donor and had this to say. 'When I was called upon to join in this research, I never hesitated because if I can be the source of treatment for others, why not run to support the cause? I am here because I want us to quickly work together to find the treatment for Coronavirus.'

COVIDIT Project Donor No.1-Ms. Laura Nagasha (Centre) flanked by UBTS staff during the kick-off ceremony on 16th June 2020, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala Uganda.

At the time of publishing this article on Wednesday 17th June, 2020, four donors had turned up.

'We appeal to all those individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to come and donate blood so that together we can work towards kicking COVID-19 out of Uganda, the region and globe by offering treatment' noted Prof. William Bazeyo, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) at Makerere University.

Prof. Bazeyo who is also the Chairperson of the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee (GMC) thanked the researchers, partners and above all the Government of the Republic of Uganda for funding research and innovations at Makerere University through Mak-RIF. He also thanked the Media for continuously relaying all the necessary messages to the public. 

The Director MLI and COVIDIT Principal Investigator, Dr. Bruce Kirenga noted that the Project was initiated in view of emerging evidence to support the use of convalescent plasma (CP) for the treatment of COVID-19 especially among severe and critical forms of disease with improved survival. The lack of other proven therapies for COVID-19 in Uganda and the availability of COVID-19 survivors in the country are some of the factors readily available to support these efforts. The project has 4 main Work Packages (WP);

WP1. Plasma Donation, Processing and Storage whose overall objective is to assess the feasibility of collecting, processing and storage of COVID-19 convalescent plasma for future investigative assessment of its efficacy in treating patients with COVID-19.

WP2. COVID Convalescent Plasma Therapy Trial whose overall objective is to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 CP in treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda.

WP3. Monoclonal Antibodies Manufacturing whose overall objective is to isolate potent monoclonal antibodies from peripheral B cells of Ugandan COVID-19 survivors for use in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

WP4. COVID-19 Survivor Registry whose overall objective is to establish a COVID-19 survivor registry to support the study of the long term impact of SARS-CoV2 virus infection on survivors.

This engagement was covered and aired on NTV Uganda. Please click the link below for the news bite. 

https://youtu.be/HyGYLH5do4M

An article was also published on Page 4 of the New Vision newspaper of 17th June, 2020.

 

Article By: Walter Jack Musoki, Medical Student at Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Harriet Adong, Mak-RIF Communications Officer

'We Build for the Future'

 

Mark Wamai

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Education

Application for Admission to Bachelor of Education External (BED) 2025/26

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Senate Building

1.        HOW TO APPLY

Application will be online using the AIMS System after getting a pay reference number but you will have to submit certified copies of your Diploma transcripts and certificates and a passport size photograph to office 310, level 3 Senate Building after payment of application fees.

2.        MAKERERE UNIVERSITY ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL USERGUIDE

  1. Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL http://apply.mak.ac.ug
  2. Sign up using full name, e-mail and Mobile No.  Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.  If you changed your names please go to Senate Building Office 301 with an affidavit supporting the name change.
  3. A password will be sent to both your e-mail and mobile number.
  4. The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
  5. To fill a form the applicant clicks on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the running scheme.
  6. Obtain a payment advice slip by clicking on “Pay for Form” button
  7. Make a payment at any of  bank used by URA
  1. Print the filled form and attach certified copies of your academic documents.

3.        PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A PAYMENT REFERENCE NUMBER FOR

            PAYMENT OF APPLICATION FEES

  1. Go the payment reference site: https//:payments.mak.ac.ug
  2. Fill in your name;
  3. Fill in your email;
  • Fill in your telephone number – Go to the next
  • Click on the option number;
  • Application fee is 50,000/=(Undergraduate) continue and get the pay reference number
  • Go to the Bank and pay
  • Go to room 310 Senate Building and submit certified copies of your academic documents.

WARNING

  •      Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s

Academic documents to support their applications for admission.  The                          consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.

  •      Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office.  Those who buy them do so at their own risk.
  •      The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agents to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.

The deadline for receiving applications is 28th February 2025.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

Mak Editor

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Admissions for Diploma Holders under Government Sponsorship for 2025/2026 AY

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Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs)/Academic Registrar, delivers his remarks at the Freedom Square. Freshers Orientation for Academic Year 2024/2025, 5th August 2024. Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Diploma Holders only for admission under the Government Sponsorship Scheme (not exceeding 5% of the intake capacity) to the University Degree Programmes for the 2025/2026 Academic year listed in the Document in the link below.

  • Each applicant should possess at least a Credit or Second Class or equivalent Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised Institution plus a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least 5 Passes (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with at least One Principal Pass and Two Subsidiary Passes obtained at the same sitting (or its equivalent).
  • A non refundable application fee of Shs.50,000/ = (Fifty thousand shillings only)plus the Bank Charge using an ACMIS Pay Reference Number should be paid to any bank used by URA before submitting a system generated application form to the Admissions Office, Room 315 Level 3, in the Senate Building, Makerere University.
  • Certified copies of Diploma Transcripts (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions must be attached to the application forms. Incomplete application forms shall not be processed.
  • Details of the Diplomas required for each programme can be viewed on Undergraduate Admissions Notice Board on Level 3, Senate Building, Makerere University and the University website- www.mak.ac.ug
  • N.B. Applicants will be responsible for verification of their academic documents from the awarding Institutions after admission.
  • Each applicant should also attach a copy of the Birth Certificate to the application form.

The closing date for returning the system generated application forms and certified copies of the academic documents to the University is Friday 28th February, 2025.

Mak Editor

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Admissions for Diploma/Degree Holders under Self Sponsorship 2025/2026 AY

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Some of the Bachelors graduates from CAES at the 74th graduation ceremony. 74th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, 30th January 2024, Collge of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, S. Sudanese and international applicants for the Undergraduate Programmes under the Private Sponsorship Scheme for Diploma/Degree Holders for the 2025/2026 Academic Year.

The details are as follows:

Each applicant should:

  • Hold at least a Second Class/Credit (or equivalent classification) Diploma or otherwise as specified in the Diploma Holders’ Admission Requirements from Recognised Chartered Institutions relevant to the programme applied for. (Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions and one Passport size photograph MUST be submitted to Office 315, Level three (3) Senate Building after applying online.
  • Details of the Diploma holders’ admission requirements for the 2025/2026 academic year can be viewed on the Notice Board of the Undergraduate Admission Office or on the Makerere University Website: www.mak.ac.ug.

OR

BE A GRADUATE FROM A RECOGNISED CHARTERED UNIVERSITY. (Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions and one Passport size photograph MUST be submitted to Office 315, Level three (3) Senate Building after applying online).

The closing date for submission of applications is Friday 28th February, 2025.

Further details including Undergraduate Programmes advertised in the different Colleges in can be found in the document below:

Mak Editor

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