Health
Four Innovators Win 2020 Social Innovation in Health Awards
Four innovations identified by external reviewers as the best, received awards from the Makerere University School of Public Health Social Innovation in Health Initiative –SIHI Uganda project.
This was during the 3rd national stakeholders workshop held on March 17, 2021 at Golf Course Hotel, Kampala to reward and recognize the best community-based health solutions in Uganda.
The workshop aimed at strengthening collaboration with stakeholders in advancement of social innovation in health. It also gave an opportunity for the innovators to showcase their social innovations that have enabled the delivery of more inclusive, effective and affordable health services to Ugandans. The even brought together officials from Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Health, Makerere University and members of the public.
The winners of the 2020 social innovations for solutions that improved access and quality of health care were; Ishaka Health Plan Project (Community based health insurance scheme) that facilitates access to quality and affordable healthcare services to communities in Bushenyi district, My Pregnancy Handbook project, a user-friendly portable short handbook prepared to deliver authentic health information concerning pregnancy to pregnant mothers, midwives, and the general population, SEEK-GSP project, a project aimed at narrowing the treatment gap for depression among people living with HIV using group support psychotherapy delivered by community health workers and the Community Health Insurance, an initiative by the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau.
Also awarded were students from the School of Public Health for their innovations. They are; Mr. Filimin Niyongabo who showcased the Student’s HIV/AIDs Awareness campaign (SHIVA), and Mathias Amperiize spearheading Youth-led cancer and diabetes awareness campaign (YCADAC).
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor, and Dean MakSPH hailed the innovators for creativity. She said she was very passionate about social innovations in health and hopped that the Uganda hub of SIHI global can be grown further to enable communities to come with their solutions.
“I also look for the opportunity where we can transform the way we teach. We need to transform the way we teach to enable students to be problem solvers. Are we teaching people to solve problems? Are we teaching them to only see problems or to solve problems? We need to actually empower our students to be able to feel that they have the capacity to innovate and solve problems,” Professor Rhoda Wanyenze.
Professor Damalie Nakanjako, the Principal College of Health Sciences represented the Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. She hailed the Uganda hub of SIHI global led by Dr. Phyllis Awor for the good network of identifying and supporting nurture innovations.
“As Makerere University, we want to appreciate Government of Uganda for the big trust that you have put in research and innovation. I think this is an area where we have received support through the Research and Innovations Fund. It has made a difference to impact society. It is our mandate to translate research into policy to benefit the citizens of Uganda. This is very key towards our attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. With support from government, Makerere University has renewed her mandate on intellectual property and working with industry to promote innovators. Our Intellectual Property Office is ready to invest and support innovators to develop further,” said Professor Nakanjako.
Dr. Olaro Charles, Director Clinical Services at Ministry of Health said the ministry looks forward to more partnerships and that they we are ready to support such innovations that help improve the quality of health of Ugandans.
Dr. Maxwell Otim Onapa, the Director of Science, Research and Innovation at Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation said his Ministry certainly is very positioned to work with SIHI Uganda hub because ideally, these social innovations in health bring a whole different perspective hence a need to integrate such innovations.
“Sometimes we focus too much on issues related to the business you look at the big picture and yet there very low hanging fruits that require low input but with immense impact. I believe this is one of them,” said Dr. Maxwell Otim.
He adds that his ministry is already working with Ministry of Health to establish an innovation cluster program, particularly in health. He advances that the Health Information Innovation and Research program under the health ministry is a very strategic one that can enable to support these initiatives.
“We also pick interest in areas where there is a lot of intellectual input. And we shall support in the area of intellectual property,” Dr. Otim.
During the workshop, the SIHI Uganda Hub Director, Dr. Phyllis Awor briefed the participants on SIHI and SIHI Uganda hub activities. She emphasized the need for supporting social innovations to ensure equitable and affordable health services. Since its establishment in 2017, more than 12 innovations have been recognized.
Dr. Awor further noted that the identified innovations could be translated into policy and scaled to improve the well-being of Ugandans.
SIHI Uganda is part of a global collaboration of partners passionate about advancing community-based health solutions. The SIHI network is supported by TDR, the special programme for research and training in tropical disease, co-sponsored by UNDP, UNICEF, the World Bank and WHO. TDR receives core funding from SIDA, the Swedish International Development Agency, used to support SIHI.
Article originally Published on MakSPH website
The Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), College of Natural Sciences, and College of Business and Management Sciences presented graduands for conferment of degrees on the 14th January, 2025 which was the day 2 of the 75th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University that commenced on Monday 13th January 2025.
MakCHS presented a total of 886 graduands including (23) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), (456) Masters and (407) Bachelors. For the second year, MakCHS produced the researcher with the biggest number of publications, Prof. Moses Kamya and he received an award for the achievement.
Speaking to the congregation, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe – Vice Chancellor, Makerere University welcomed everyone to Makerere University’s 75th Graduation. He congratulated the 13,658 graduates, including 143 PhD recipients, 53% female graduates and 47% male graduands who will be awarded degrees through the graduation week. He commended the efforts of staff, parents, and sponsors in supporting the students’ journeys. Professor Nawangwe praised the achievements of Makerere’s Colleges and Schools, he commended MakCHS for the leadership in research and innovation flying the Makerere flag globally. He noted, ‘The College of Health Sciences is our flagship college for research and community engagement. This college accounts for 50% of all research grants won and also 50% of all the publications by the University. The College celebrated 100 years last year, making it the oldest college at Makerere University’.
Prof. Nawangwe reiterated Makerere’s transformation to a research-led institution supported by the government funded Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). “We are addressing national priorities, such as improving the Parish Development Model and advancing e-governance,” he stated. The Vice Chancellor also congratulated Dr. Crispus Kiyonga on his appointment as Chancellor and urged graduates to leverage their education to create solutions for societal challenges.
Professor Nawangwe advised the graduands thus, ‘We have equipped you with the knowledge and skills that will make you employable or to create your own businesses and employ others. Do not despair if you cannot find employment, instead reflect on the immense opportunities around you and raise them as an entrepreneur.’
Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA) delivered the commencement speech where she called on the graduands to remain resilient and emancipate Africa’s people. Her address titled “The Power of Resilience – African Woman, Find Your Generational Mission and Redefine Your Worth”, Professor LenkaBula highlighted the critical role of African women in shaping the continent’s destiny.
Professor LenkaBula expressed gratitude for being invited to such a significant occasion and extended greetings from South Africa, including from UNISA’s Chancellor, former South African President Dr. Thabo Mbeki. She praised Makerere University for its legacy of academic excellence and contributions to the African continent, emphasizing its role in anti-colonial struggles, post-colonial development, and its steadfast commitment to African unity. She called for a renewed focus on gender equity in academia and leadership, noting the disproportionate burdens faced by women in society. Citing the achievements of Makerere University in gender mainstreaming, she expressed optimism about the role of young leaders in dismantling patriarchal systems and fostering inclusive development.
Professor LenkaBula concluded her address to graduands with a call to action: “Your graduation is not merely a personal achievement but a contribution to Africa’s collective progress. History has thrust upon you the task of creating a future defined by resilience, innovation, and equality.”
In his remarks, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga – Chancellor, Makerere University congratulated graduands upon making it to the 75th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. Dr. Suruma expressed his appreciation of His Excellency the President and First Lady/Minister of Education and Sports for giving him the opportunity to serve Uganda and for the continuous support extended to Makerere University, requesting the congregation to join him and give them a warm applause. Dr. Kiyonga reiterated President Museveni’s directive to Makerere University to integrate the teaching of political economy across all courses to enhance students’ understanding of the country’s socioeconomic conditions. The directive, welcomed by the university’s top management, will be incorporated into the curriculum to align education with the needs of the people and the nation.
He expressed appreciation that the government has pledged to bolster Makerere’s research funding and he encouraged the University to strengthen partnerships with the private sector to commercialize innovations developed at the institution.
The new Chancellor pledged support to the University management in saving its land and urged that an agro-industrial park be established. “This park would serve three purposes: teaching, generating income, and acting as a demonstration site for communities across the country,” Dr. Kiyonga noted. He also emphasized the urgency of addressing Uganda’s food insecurity, highlighting that 40% of children in the Rwenzori region are stunted, with malnutrition affecting most regions of the country.
Dr. Kiyonga also pointed out Africa’s underperformance despite its vast resources, describing it as a contradiction. “It is our responsibility to change the conditions of our people and ensure Africa rises to its potential,” he urged.
The ceremony was graced by Hon. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Minister of State for Primary Education, who represented the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni. Other dignitaries included members of Parliament, the judiciary, the diplomatic corps, and academics.
The Minister lauded Makerere University for its dedication to academic excellence and innovation. “Today reflects the resilience, hard work, and commitment of our graduates, supported by the university staff, management, and parents,” she said. The Minister commended the Vice Chancellor and management for fostering research and innovation while urging them to maintain robust quality control systems to uphold the institution’s integrity.
She also reflected on Makerere’s recent milestones, including the commissioning of a new the launch of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. “Your achievements stem from hard work, transparency, and accountability. They set Makerere apart as a leader in higher education,” she noted. Addressing the graduates, Hon. Kaducu encouraged them to apply their skills to solve societal challenges. “Makerere has equipped you with critical thinking and creativity. Use this to seize opportunities, make a difference, and shine wherever you go,” she concluded. During the 75th graduation ceremony held from the 13th -17th January, 2025, a total of 13,658 graduands were awarded degrees and diplomas in various disciplines. Of these, 143 received PhDs, 1,813 Masters Degrees, 243 postgraduate Diplomas, and 11,454 Bachelor’s Degrees. 53% of the graduands are female and 47% are male. 44% of the PhD graduands are female. A total of 491 graduands received first class degrees.
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