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Mak Researcher Designs “COVID Alphabet” for Awareness and Behavioral Change

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By Joseph Odoi

With the increasingly worrying situation of the novel coronavirus and its devastating global effect, Makerere University has once again taken an institutional lead by designing a behavioral change communication model to support government efforts in fighting against the pandemic. The COVID Alphabet (A-Z of COVID in Uganda) was developed by Dr. Gloria Seruwagi, a lecturer at Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) and School of Public Health (MakSPH).

While briefing journalists during the model’s unveiling at Makerere University on February 17th, 2021,  Dr. Seruwagi shared that she got the inspiration to design the simple and relatable evidence-based product after conducting a series of COVID-19 studies in different communities including the REFLECT study in humanitarian contexts and ALERTs study in different informal settlements within Kampala.

“If somebody wants to know what the key issues are about COVID-19 in Uganda, they can look at this Alphabet and have it all at a glance, without having to go through the long process of reading a 4 or 15-page document. This is not just an alphabet for learning phonetics or numbers. It is a Know, Think and Act (KTA) tool packed with nuggets of information” Dr. Seruwagi emphasized.  

The COVID Alphabet is not only easy on the eye and deliberately simple but is also factual and anchored in research. It should resonate with anyone at any level – from the busy policymaker or program manager to someone outside Uganda in need of quick facts.

 The Alphabet also speaks to today’s virtual workplace teams, community leaders, and any person on the street or at home. It contains critical study findings compressed into a quick and concise summary of the COVID trajectory, experiences, and outcomes. It also gives key pointers on key population groups, sectors, mitigation strategies, and action points for different stakeholders.

The Alphabet begins by stating that Awareness of COVID-19 is high but Adherence extremely low. It then flags up the increasingly urgent need for effective Behavioral change messages now more than ever, even more than knowledge-only messages.  Community transmissions are on the rise; as is prevention complacency while Deaths, infection and recovery from COVID-19 remain shrouded in mystery.

Uganda continues to face another battle of the serious infodemic challenge with myths, falsehoods and risky perceptions being plenty. Enforcement fatigue has become more pronounced with relaxation of some restrictions and unfortunately Fatigue from the enforcement side is coinciding with high community transmission. The Alphabet acknowledges the important role and success registered by Government-led approaches; however, it shows that these more community support and leadership.

Hand washing is listed as a more feasible prevention measure compared to sanitizing, social distancing, wearing masks and staying at home. This is in harmony with research carried out by other studies which showed that hand washing was the most adhered to guideline at the peak of COVID-19 as most households had hand washing points. 

Dr. Seruwagi says adds that Infection control has largely been well managed at public places and offices compared to communities. And while the model recognizes that mass distribution of Masks did not reach everybody; mask use among those who have is low, inconsistent and improper.

Dr. Seruwagi unveiling the COVID Alphabet

This also alludes to study findings which found a lot of negative face mask practices including chin-masking, sharing masks, wearing ill-fitting masks, keeping them in pockets and back or not having a mask at all.  Moving forward, Seruwagi advises the government to not only give out masks but revitalize enforcement of SOPs, reminding people of the dangers and health risks posed by the pandemic.

Norms and culture are both drivers and barriers to compliance. This alphabet statement agrees with research findings which show that the practice of hand washing with soap was much higher in Muslim communities because it’s in tandem with their beliefs and socio-cultural practices. The model also highlights the need to Optimally leverage existing community structures, systems and resources for compliance.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Psychosocial and mental health challenges that have taken on new and more complex forms. And while the need for social networks and connections is very important, Dr Seruwagi also recommends that Quiet spaces and isolation should be championed as positive and potentially productive.

This is in line with trying to get the community avoid unnecessary movement and avoid or behave responsibly while in public gatherings. It will enable communities to not feel punitively restricted but rather appreciate the protective effect of measures such as curfews.

In terms of Reproductive health, the Alphabet shows that services are severely constrained and products very scarce, inaccessible or expensive. Related to this is that the pandemic has worsened SRH outcomes, especially among adolescents and youth since the advent of the pandemic.

Teenage pregnancies and transactional sex by children and youth have increased; calling for parents, teachers, leaders and other stakeholders to act. ‘’If we are saying that there is a lot of teenage pregnancies and transactional sex by adolescents, what should teachers do, what are parents doing to protect their children?” she remarked in a call for action.

Dr. Seruwagi’s landmark model then turns to the country’s globally lauded success in refugee-hosting. It highlights the Uganda’s porous borders and high refugee population, noting that this comes with daily interaction across borders and some of this interaction risky with potential for disease transmission and other risks beyond health for example security risks.

The model shows that Violence of various forms increased during COVID-19; and everyone was affected including men and children. In some of the studies conducted, Violence against Men (VAM) is emerging as a key theme but the Ugandan culture largely operates in a culture of silence and there are not enough or effective services addressing male survivors of violence – most interventions have focused more on women. Moreover, child protection systems were rendered more fragile by the pandemic.

All these services and intervention points need strengthening. The Willingness and resourcefulness of community leaders needs to be harnessed and effectively utilized. And Dr Seruwagi says that the timing is a good one in terms of policy implementation, with the recent launch of the Community Engagement Strategy where VHTs, community leaders and other local structures are critically positioned to make a significant contribution if well-resourced and supported. It mentions Xanic and resilient approaches for COVID-19 while also highlight children, adolescents and Youth as a severely-affected but largely “invisible” group during Uganda’s the first wave.

Finally, the model recognizes the role of technology like Zoom meetings and while it acknowledges that virtual spaces are the ‘new normal’, Dr Seruwagi calls for a thorough and ongoing review on their safety and impact on productivity or team cohesion. “For example, the people delivering essential services needed during these difficult COVID times might, themselves, be in serious need of mental health and psychosocial support or specific workplace provisions,” she said.

Dr. Seruwagi implored leaders, teachers, parents, civil society organizations, policymakers and all health stakeholders to pick an action point from each Alphabet letter to implement if COVID-19 is to be countered.   “As a country we already crossed a line where infections were managed at facility level. With the current community spread, let’s reflect on this COVID Alphabet and let each person pick at least one action point”. She called upon senior policymakers and BCC specialists to take up the model as guiding tool to support the national response.

The COVID Alphabet is the first of its kind in Africa and has attracted media attention with different people describing it as factual, precise, simple and easy to understand.

Article originally published on MakSPH

Mark Wamai

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Call for Applications: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Course

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An elevated shot of the School of Biomedical Sciences Building, College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University. Kampala Uganda, East Africa

The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Course, scheduled to take place from July 30th to August 1st, 2025, at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences’ Conference Room.

Background

The SUSTAIN: Advancing Makerere University Masters of Health Sciences in Bioethics program at Makerere University College of Health Sciences aims at developing and institutionalizing a mentorship program in research ethics that facilitates development of bioethics professionals and health researchers who are committed to the growth and application of research ethics in Uganda’s academic and research institutions to the highest possible degree. The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course is one of the short courses that introduces trainees to a framework that involves application of established scientific, professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research.

Course objectives

At the end of this course, trainees should be able to identify, manage and prevent research misconduct.

Course outline

Introduction to RCR; Introduction to Professionalism and Ethics; Human subject’s protection and regulatory framework in Uganda; Humane handling of animal research subjects; Conflict of interest;

Responsible laboratory practices; Mentor-mentee relationships; Collaborative research international, industry); Peer review; Research misconduct (including policies for handling misconduct); Community involvement during research in a low resource setting; Responsibility to society and environment; Responsible financial management; Data acquisition, management, sharing and ownership; Responsible authorship, publication and communication.

Target group

The Responsible Conduct of Research course is targeted at Researchers, Research administrators, Research assistants, Study coordinators, Graduate students and Student supervisors. Certificates will only be awarded to participants with 80% attendance.

Course fee: 205,000/=, or 56USD is payable.

The course fee will cater for meals and refreshments during the training period.

Payment & Registration procedure:

9030026194023, Stanbic Bank, Mulago, Makerere University Biomedical Research Center Limited

Dollar Currency:

9030026194147, Stanbic Bank, Mulago, Makerere University Biomedical Research Center Limited

Please Note: Share payment details on email/whatsup and a hardcopy deposit slip delivered on the first day of the training to Miriam Musazi, Department of anatomy, Bioethics Centre, Room C4,

Mob: +256 782 363 996/ +256 701 363 996, Email: mmusazi@gmail.com.

NB. Only those who will have paid by this date will be considered for the course

Venue: The training will take place at Makerere University College of Health Sciences’ Conference room

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Call For Applications: PhD Fellowship Training Position

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A newborn baby in an incubator in Neonatal Care Unit. Makerere University School of Public Health, Baylor Foundation Uganda, Adara Development Uganda, Nsambya Hospital, and the Ministry of Health with funding from ELMA Philanthropies national health systems strengthening initiative the Uganda Newborn Programme (UNP) launched 2022. Program uses regional approach to improve newborn care in three regions of Uganda namely Kampala, North Central and Western regions. Achievements 2025. Kampala, East Africa.

Background:

Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), Kampala, Uganda and Global Health Uganda (GHU); in collaboration with other research consortium partner institutions, including, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya; Training and Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE), Blantyre, Malawi; University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK have been conducting clinical research on Malaria Chemoprevention. This research has focused on Malaria Chemoprevention in vulnerable patient populations, including children with severe anaemia, children with sickle cell anaemia and pregnant women. As an example, two of our recently completed studies are “The post-discharge malaria chemoprevention in children with severe anaemia [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33264546/] and Malaria chemoprevention in children with sickle cell anaemia [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39718172/]”.

With support from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) body, the consortium is expanding these studies to children with severe acute malnutrition, by conducting a large multi-centre randomized controlled trial entitled “Chemoprevention of malaria in the postdischarge management of children with severe acute malnutrition in Malawi and Uganda”.

In Uganda, the study will be conducted at one or two of their study sites in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima Regional Referral Hospital or Kitgum General Hospital. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) and Uganda and Global Health Uganda (GHU) seek to appoint a full-time PhD Fellow, on this study. This will be a 4-year post, tenured at Makerere University and hosted at MakCHS.

Expectations of the PhD fellowship:

The PhD fellow will:

  • Be a part of the main trial team, and participate fully in its implementation. However, he/she will be expected to design and develop his/her PhD research project, nested in the main trial.
  • The area of study will be around “interactions between anaemia and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children or the interactions between malaria and severe acute malnutrition in children”.
  • Conduct rigorous research, leading to high quality scientific publications.
  • Submit a full research concept and obtain registration in the University by end of year-one. As such, there be an initial appointment for one year, renewable upon satisfactory performance.
  • Academic mentorship and supervision will be provided by the research consortium (see above – composed of national and international researchers).
  • Doctoral scholarly support and training environment, as well as didactic training in research methods and scientific writing skills will be provided by Makerere University.
  • The funding support will cover tuition and a competitive monthly stipend for 4 years, scientific conferences fees/travel and other research-related costs.

Prospective candidates must:

  • Hold Master’s of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health from a recognized university, and licensed to practice medicine in Uganda by the UMDPC.
  • Possess undergraduate training in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB/MBBS/MD).
  • Willingness to fully commit time and effort to their PhD studies, expected to start immediately
  • Candidate should not hold other/concurrent fellowships
  • Having publication experience will be an added advantage.
  • Be highly motivated and willing to commit to a career in research and academia.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants should submit their application and supportive documents – listed here below, in one PDF document, in an email titled “PDMC-SAM–PhD Fellowship Application” to hr@globalhealthuganda.org [and cc – chdc.desk@mak.ac.ug] by 25th July 2025. The documents should include the following:

  • An application letter (Max. 1 page)
  • Motivation statement (Max. 500 words)
  • CV (Max. 2 pages), including a list of publications
  • Two (2) recommendation letters
  • Academic transcripts and certificates for all university qualifications
  • A synopsis focusing on the proposed PhD research work, describing briefly what is already known/burden, challenges, the gaps and potential interventions (include references) [Max. 800 words].

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Makerere Hailed for Its Leadership in Health Policy and Knowledge Systems

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Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

KAMPALA, July 9, 2025Makerere University has been hailed as a continental and global leader in health policy and systems research. This recognition came during the Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) Learning Forum, held July 8–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research.

Delegates from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia applauded Makerere’s role in advancing evidence-informed policymaking and strengthening national knowledge systems. The forum highlighted the institution’s trusted leadership, practical research, and commitment to driving real change.

Dr. Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director of the WHO Alliance, praised Makerere’s long-standing role in bridging research and policy:

“You are a shining beacon on the continent and for the world,” he said. “In this moment of crisis, where every health investment must be efficient and equitable, Makerere’s leadership matters more than ever.”

He emphasized the Alliance’s 25-year partnership with Makerere: “We know Makerere University very well. My predecessors have worked with the Alliance since its inception in the 1990s. Makerere has been especially instrumental in advancing the field of health policy and systems.”

Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director of the WHO Alliance speaking at the KNOSA East Africa Learning Forum hosted by Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.

Dr. Rasanathan called for a move away from siloed approaches toward more adaptive, coherent systems. He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting regional initiatives like KNOSA that are driving this shift across Africa.

Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Vice Chancellor, Makerere University Professor Barnabas Nawangwe chats with H.E Rt. Hon. Kenneth M. Lusaka, EGH Governor Bungoma County, Kenya during the KNOSA East Africa Learning Forum at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda on Wednesday, July 10, 2025.

In the face of current funding cuts, Dr. Christine Musanhu of the WHO Uganda Country Office echoed these sentiments with a stern call to action: “In times of uncertainty, we need national systems that not only generate evidence but also understand and communicate it in ways that drive real change.”

She warned of tightening budgets, citing an 11% cut (roughly $67 million) in global funding for Uganda’s public health programs. “We are being asked to do more with less,” she said, urging countries to reprogram resources towards high-impact, evidence-based interventions.
Adding that, “Evidence must go beyond routine data—it is a measure of transformation.”

Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Christine Musanhu of the WHO Uganda Country Office encouraged participants attending the KNOSA East Africa Learning Forum at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda to leave with shared purpose and concrete steps to advance the use of evidence for healthier communities.

This year’s KNOSA forum focused on sharing country-level progress, refining evaluation approaches, enhancing communication products, including scientific publications, and engaging more deliberately with Uganda’s wider policy and research ecosystem.

Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, while sharing the institutional vision, called for African universities to lead from the front in addressing health and development challenges: “We can do all the research in the world, but unless it moves beyond our laptops and lecture rooms into real decision-making spaces, it won’t change lives.”

He noted that Makerere contributes over 80% of Uganda’s academic output and praised MakSPH and the College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) for innovations that have shaped responses to HIV, Ebola, and COVID-19. “Our work, backed by partnerships with government and global collaborators, is proof that African universities must lead from the front.”

Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, applauds country teams and university partners during the KNOSA Learning Forum for their dedication to building a stronger, more resilient Africa. He emphasized the vital role of universities in low-income countries in driving socio-economic development.

Professor Nawangwe urged deeper collaboration within KNOSA: “Our continent is interconnected. We cannot afford to work in silos. We are stronger together.”

Dr. Aku Kwamie, the unit head at the WHO-Alliance, noted that there is a need for partners to shift their thinking regarding policy. She particularly shared three critical transitions to institutionalize evidence use: embedding knowledge within institutions, not just individuals; linking research directly to decision-making; and advancing from isolated academic work to system-level thinking. These shifts, she noted, are essential for embedding evidence into routine governance.

Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Aku Kwamie, the unit head at the WHO-Alliance, during the the KNOSA East Africa Learning Forum hosted by Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.

Professor Freddie Ssengooba, a Health Policy and Knowledge Systems expert at MakSPH, reaffirmed Makerere University’s regional leadership in the field and stressed the urgency for African countries to take full ownership of their health systems considering the shifting funding landscape:

“Health policy and knowledge systems research may not be as prominent as epidemiology or disease control,” he said, “but it’s central to how we harvest and connect knowledge with policy and resources. When the vaccine is here and the evidence is clear, that’s when they come to us, asking, “How do we achieve over 80% coverage?”

Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Professor Freddie Ssengooba, a Health Policy and Knowledge Systems expert at MakSPH speaking during the on-going KNOSA East Africa Learning Forum at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.

He praised KNOSA for helping elevate the field’s relevance: “There’s real appreciation for the work we do—not just with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, but across the region.”

Recalling the early collaboration with WHO, he said, “Back in 1997–98, a few of us, myself included, responded to an initial call and began what has now become a long-standing relationship with the WHO Alliance.”

“The Alliance is building capacity across Africa to ensure that research doesn’t stop at findings but goes on to shape decision-making and society,” he disclosed.

Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean of MakSPH, is currently ambitiously driving her colleagues, staff, and partners to embrace the culture of evidence use. She reiterated the School’s commitment to leading in evidence translation: “I’ve often told the Vice Chancellor—we at the School of Public Health are not in an ivory tower. We are deeply connected to real-world problems.”

Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health, delivers her remarks at the KNOSA East Africa Learning Forum in Kampala, Uganda. She highlighted the School’s deep engagement with policy and practice, noting that over 80% of staff serve on national, regional, or global technical committees—underscoring MakSPH’s commitment to producing grounded research that informs real-world solutions.

To her, the need for a clear framework to improve engagement with decision-makers and address uneven success in research translation has never been greater than now: “Yes, we publish in high-impact journals. But the question is, what change happened because of your evidence?”
“I would love to see the School lead in developing a framework that showcases what we’ve done well and identifies where we can grow.”

She also acknowledged Prof. Ssengooba’s influence in broadening the lens on knowledge management: “You’ve challenged us to think beyond institutions, to consider networks and systems. That’s a gap we must fill.”

Partnerships for Stronger Knowledge Systems in Africa (KNOSA) East Africa Learning Forum, held July 9–10, 2025, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with support from the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Participants of the KNOSA East Africa Learning Forum alongside members of the WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research in a group photo with Makerere University leadership at the Forum meeting in Kampala, Uganda.

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