Research

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm babies during infancy in Eastern Uganda

Published

6 years ago

October 10, 2020

Mark Wamai

A sign outside the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), College of Health Sciences (CHS), Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda.

A recent study by the Makerere University Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), School of Public Health (MakSPH) has shown that preterm infants at 6.6 months of corrected age are at a high risk of developing neurodevelopmental disability of 20.4%, and severe disability of 3.3%, especially those with malnutrition.

Researchers recommend improvement in health system readiness to be able to provide follow-up care with emphasis on improving nutrition and continuity of Kangaroo Mother Care at home. Study conducted among 454 babies in a cohort study at birth.

In Uganda, 14% of 1.6 million live births annually are estimated to be preterm. This is according to data obtained from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) demographic and health survey 2016 and the 2012 World Health Organisation (WHO) report titled; “Born too soon; The global action report on preterm birth.”

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Related Topics:Kangaroo Makerere Maternal preterm Research Uganda

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Research

CARTA Fellow Tamale on Building Systems, Shaping Policy and Transforming Lives beyond the PhD

Published

2 weeks ago

October 6, 2026

Mark Wamai

Dr. Andrew Tamale, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity (CoVAB), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. Photo. CARTA.

A PhD can spark impact that extends far beyond academia. Meet CARTA graduate Andrew Tamale, whose journey demonstrates the multiplier effect of research capacity strengthening—from helping transform doctoral training and generating evidence that informed safer fish consumption practices, to strengthening One Health approaches for outbreak preparedness in Uganda and beyond.

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Source: CARTA News & Updates Issue 105

Research

CARTA Fellow Anywar Appointed UTANA Subject Matter Expert, Talks Medicinal Plants

Published

2 weeks ago

October 6, 2026

Mark Wamai

Dr. Godwin Anywar, Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Godwin Anywar, cohort 6, Makerere University, was appointed as a Subject Matter Expert on the Manuscript Technical Evaluators team of the Uganda Textbook Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association (UTANA) on August 31, 2026. In this role, Godwin will contribute to the qualitative, academic, and pedagogical assessment of manuscripts submitted under the Capacity Building for School Books Project (CB-SP). The four-year project, implemented jointly with the Department of Teacher Education and Training Development (TETD) of Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), aims to strengthen authorship and support the development of school books in Uganda’s education sector.

He was also featured in Uganda’s New Vision on July 26, 2026, in a special report on Uganda’s medicinal plants.

Source: CARTA News & Updates Issue 105

Research

Makerere Hosts TERID Hub Early Career Researchers Grant Writing Workshop

Published

2 weeks ago

October 6, 2026

Mark Wamai

The Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Hub continued its efforts to strengthen the capacity of 17 early career researchers (ECRs) (10 men, 7 women) on an institutional level by holding a grant writing workshop from September 8 - 11, 2026, at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Hub continued its efforts to strengthen the capacity of early career researchers (ECRs) on an institutional level by holding a grant writing workshop from September 8 – 11, 2026, at Makerere University. The workshop, attended by 17 ECRs (10 men, 7 women), strengthened participating researchers’ capacity by equipping them with critical skills to secure competitive funding. The intensive sessions bridged the gap between innovative academic concepts and fundable proposals, focusing heavily on decoding complex funder criteria and structuring compelling narratives. Participants prioritized the CONNECT-VAX call, which closely aligns with the Hub’s core work, and formed two groups: one on vaccine research and development capacity, the other on public trust and demand for vaccines manufactured in Africa.

Through this call, the Hub engaged collaborators from West Africa (Sierra Leone) and East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) in developing two of its grant applications. Individual concepts on leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and pharmaceutical inventory management were also advanced, bringing the total to eight proposals across four funding calls, including Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MAK-RIF 8), Wellcome, and WHO/TDR.

To date, the Hub’s grant writing effort has attracted over USD 700,000. The workshop reinforced the Hub’s commitment to mentoring early-career researchers and championing research in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Source: CARTA News & Updates Issue 105