Health
Makerere University Hospital Embarks on Expansion, to add 10 ICU beds
As Makerere University draws closer to marking 100 years, the institution’s Hospital has embarked on an expansion program to support Uganda’s critical care needs.
Construction projects are currently under way at the Bativa Road-based Makerere University Hospital to increase the hospital’s Emergency Department and ICU capacity.
The plan is to remodel the Doctors’ Residence/lower block of the University Hospital into a 10-bed ICU Unit at a cost of approximately Ugx400million.
Works have started with CK Associates, an Engineering firm in Uganda. Dr. Josephine Nabukenya, the then Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) said Makerere University has a bigger dream for the health services and the university hospital in particular citing that there can be no other to do this than now due to the inspiration by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am glad that we have come this far because we started dreaming three months ago but finally we are here. Indeed, the first costing when we came touring here with the actual users, the anesthetists, the money was supposed to be times two what Makerere was to offer, but because we were winding up the financial year and the University had no money, they said that we can work within the resources available and they tasked Estates and Works Department to go and see how best they could cut down as much as they could do,” said Dr. Nabukenya.
Dr. Nabukenya adds that the institution had engaged the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to support the university to realize its dream of turning the hospital into a high-grade in provision of health services to the community.
Critical care medicine is a medical specialty that deals with recoverable acute life-threatening conditions. It spans early detection of potentially life-threatening conditions, to life support and intense monitoring, up to end-of-life care.
Provision of intensive care services therefore requires adequate set-up of hospital systems designed to support the critically ill patient, furnished with adequate supplies and equipment in appropriately sized space and environment by appropriately trained staff.
Dr. Josaphat Byamugisha, the University Hospital Director contends that due to the high cost of care as dictated by the severity of illness, services such as critical care are scarce in low-income countries with countries like Uganda which has approximately one bed per a million people.
“In order to provide affordable high-quality services, majority of Intensive Care Units in high income countries exist within large teaching hospitals or university-affiliated hospitals. It is therefore important that Makerere University Hospital establishes itself as one of the hospitals in the country with cutting edge critical care provision in the region,” Professor Byamugisha discloses.
Dr. Byamugisha says the COVID-19 pandemic has left Makerere University staff, students and general population exposed due to inadequate ICU bed numbers to cater for the surge.
Dr. Byamugisha who is also an Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology further contends that complementary to emergency and operation theatre activities that will allow for more training sites nursing and postgraduate students at school of medicine in Intensive care, the ICU will promote and improve research and collaboration in the field of critical care with key international partners.
Makerere University has committed to the contractor half of the required funds required for the job. Prof. Nabukenya assured the contractor that the university management and government would increase this funding to complete the project.
“With reality, I am sure they (management) will appreciate more and we can see how best to squeeze from what we have. So, like how procurement advised, let us start, let us not be discouraged because we have half the resources. Let us start with what we have, and definitely as management when we come and see that half of the resources have done half the work and the other half is not completed, then definitely we have to step up,” Prof. Nabukenya said.
She urged the contractor to start the work and support the realization of Makerere University dream. “The dream is quite huge. For the sake of not just the Makerere Community, but it will actually support the Ministry of Health or I will say the entire country. So, I think it’s the whole reason why they felt they would help us with the equipment to equip the building when it is done. So, we do a good job in terms of the building, they will not have an excuse to equip. Let us start as we continue with the negotiations.”
Charles Kironde, Director CK Associates hailed Makerere University for awarding them another construction project- University Hospital.
“I would want to say as the director stated, this a very sensitive project, but much as Estates had stated that we had done dental school before, we have also handled some hospitals in our previous works outside the university for KCCA and MOH, so we have a bit of experience with hospital construction and ICU wards and theatres, in the last 3-5 years we have done so be assured that we will give you quality work to the specifications that you want. At least that is for starters,” said Kironde.
Makerere University Hospital, with its 43-year history deeply embedded in the memory of generations has served not only as a center for providing healthcare services but also as a center for training, research.
Since 1978,the hospital plays a significant role in the lives of students, staff and the surrounding areas. It is a successor of the first health post, Makerere University Students Health Service or sick bay at the current Makerere University police post.
In 1972, when Idi Amin expelled Asians, the university acquired the premises formerly known as Nile Nursing Home. The university Sick Bay relocated to the new premises. On February 16, 1978, President Idi Amin visited the Sick Bay and elevated it to a hospital status.
The university formally launched its centenary celebrations at an event on November 25, where University Vice Chancellor and the chairperson Mak@100 Organizing Committee, Professor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Daniel Kidega respectively called on members of the Makerere University community to get involved with the major milestone.
Makerere University, through the College of Health Sciences (CHS), hosted the Sickle Cell Disease Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting on 24th October 2025. The event was organized by the Center of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease and Neglected Tropical Diseases, in partnership with Enhancing Research Capacity for Sickle Cell Disease and Related Non-Communicable Diseases Across the Lifespan in Uganda (ENRICH) and the Sickle Pan Africa Research Consortium (SPARCo). The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including religious leaders from the Catholic Medical Bureau, Protestant Medical Bureau, and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, as well as members of academia and public health practitioners.
During the Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting held under the theme; Addressing Sickle Cell Disease in Schools and Communities, panelists emphasized the importance of early detection and effective communication in managing the disease. One of the speakers highlighted the critical role of medical interns as the first point of contact in identifying symptoms such as unexplained anemia and limb swelling, urging them to take detailed patient histories for timely diagnosis and referral. Another panelist, Ms. Penina Agaba, a lecturer at the Makerere University, underscored the need to translate data-driven research into simple, accessible formats for policymakers and community leaders. She noted that findings should be communicated in local languages through channels such as workshops, radio programs, and community meetings to ensure wider understanding and practical policy action.
In her remarks, Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the Executive Director of Mulago National Specialised Hospital, shared her personal and professional commitment to improving the management of sickle cell disease in Uganda. A sickle cell warrior herself, Dr. Byanyima revealed that Mulago is planning to establish a medical campus that will offer specialized care, including hip replacements for patients suffering from sickle cell disease. She also noted that the hospital has supported the establishment of several service centers in Mukono General Hospital, Pallisa District, and Kayunga, aimed at bringing services closer to the communities. Dr. Byanyima urged all stakeholders to work together to raise awareness, increase testing, and encourage early healthcare seeking among those affected by the disease.
The panel discussions at the Sickle Cell Disease Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting underscored the shared responsibility of all sectors in creating a more inclusive and informed society for people living with the condition. The conversations, moderated by Dr. Deo Munube and Ms. Evelyn Mwesigwa, explored how schools, faith institutions, and communities can work together to support those affected. Speakers emphasized the need for inclusive school policies that accommodate children with sickle cell disease—such as allowing extra clothing, flexible restroom access, and special exam arrangements—alongside guidance and counseling services to combat stigma and nurture self-esteem. They also stressed the importance of honesty from parents in disclosing their children’s health conditions to enable appropriate care.
From a broader perspective, panelists like Mr. Kajiiko Shafik from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council highlighted the potential of faith-based structures to advance community sensitization and advocacy. The discussions collectively called for greater collaboration between the Ministries of Education and Health, improved psychosocial support, and stronger legal and policy frameworks to ensure that every child and adult living with sickle cell disease can thrive in a compassionate and supportive environment.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Sarah Kiguli, the Director of the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease and Neglected Tropical Diseases at Makerere University, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their active participation and thoughtful contributions. She noted her optimism about the existing systems that can be leveraged to strengthen collaboration and awareness efforts, saying, “I’m happy that there are systems already in place that we can use to engage everyone on this cause.” Dr. Kiguli emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in the fight against sickle cell disease, adding, “It is impossible for us here in Makerere to reach everyone, but I love the message of ‘train the trainers’ so that sensitisation work can be efficient and far-reaching.”
Makerere University’s continued commitment to public health research extends beyond academia into real community impact. Through the College of Health Sciences, the University has strengthened partnerships with the Ministry of Health and regional hospitals to enhance early screening, diagnosis, and management of Sickle Cell Disease. Recent efforts include supporting the expansion of the national Sickle Cell Registry and developing community-based counselling programs to raise awareness at the grassroots level. Despite progress, Uganda still faces significant gaps in screening and treatment, with thousands of children born each year with the condition remaining undiagnosed. Makerere’s initiatives, therefore, aim to bridge these gaps through research, training, and collaboration with government, faith-based, and cultural institutions to ensure that no child or family faces Sickle Cell Disease in silence.
STOCKHOLM — Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet (KI-Mak) marked 25 years of collaboration on Oct. 15, 2025, with a hybrid forum on research equity, highlighting lessons for universities striving toward fair and sustainable global partnerships.
The event, part of the Global Conversations on Sustainable Health, explored the theme, “Exploring Power Dynamics & Equity in Partnerships.” Scholars, policymakers, and university leaders gathered to discuss how institutions can build collaborations grounded in trust, shared ownership, and mutual respect.
Organized by the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health (CESH), a joint initiative between Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet, the forum reflected on how equitable partnerships drive progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Hours before the event, Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Maria Håkansson, posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The partnership between Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet is both dynamic and exemplary in how many years of development cooperation can lay the foundation for mutually beneficial relations between institutions in Sweden and Uganda.”
Equity, Trust, and Warmth at the Core
Panelists navigated questions of power, agency, and mutual respect. Policymakers, researchers, and academics agreed that successful partnerships depend not only on fairness but also on warmth, the human connection that sustains collaboration and ensures initiatives respond meaningfully to local realities.
Dr. Andreas Göthenberg, executive director of the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), recalled that earlier models often reduced African researchers to “data farmers” in one-directional projects led from the North.
“We now support balanced research collaborations, not capacity building alone,” he said.
Over the past decade, he added, STINT has seen a surge of high-quality proposals from African researchers seeking genuine collaboration.
“When partners bring different expertise and learn from each other, that is when collaborations work well,” he said. “Institutions with fewer resources can now do very advanced things; that’s a real game changer.”
Göthenberg said Africa’s rapid advances in microfinancing, cloud computing, and even space research show that “technology development means institutions with fewer resources can still do very advanced things,” offering lessons for innovation systems in Europe.
Why Equitable Partnerships Matter
Professors Rhoda Wanyenze and Stefan Swartling Peterson have argued that traditional models often concentrate leadership and funding in the Global North, thereby limiting the agency of Southern partners.
Their work from long-term collaborations in Ethiopia, Uganda, Lao PDR, and Vietnam shows that shifting leadership to where research occurs strengthens local capacity and aligns agendas with community needs.
They demonstrate that equity relies on mutual trust, transparency, and shared decision-making, principles that transform funding into a tool for empowerment rather than dependency. Joint PhD programs, reciprocal staff exchanges, and twinned supervision models have further enabled two-way knowledge flow and reduced brain drain.
“Partnerships grounded in reciprocity, inclusion, and respect are not only ethically sound but also more effective,” Wanyenze said. “They build local ownership, lasting capacity, and context-driven innovation.”
Championing South-to-South Knowledge Exchange
Associate Professor Caroline Wamala-Larsson, director of the SPIDER program at Stockholm University, underscored that the Global South must set its research agendas.
“The agenda must be set by Southern institutions. Swedish institutions act as collaborators, not directors,” she said.
She cited projects in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Bolivia, and Mozambique where South-to-South learning has flourished.
“Bolivians traveled to Tanzania to share source codes from a research management system. Now, the University of Dar es Salaam wants to adopt it,” she said. “Solutions developed within the South often fit local contexts better than Northern models.”
Wamala-Larsson added that innovation and digital transformation have strengthened institutional systems. “We need new funders, private sector partners, and universities to participate equally.” Respect for each partner’s contribution is essential for sustainability,” she said.
Adapting to a Changing Global Landscape
Shifting global priorities and limited funding are reshaping how universities collaborate. Ms. Brenda Wagaba, partnerships officer at Makerere University, noted that while funding remains limited, the Government of Uganda, for instance, has taken steps to support local research through the Research and Innovation Fund. “The government started setting aside money for university research even before the recent cuts,” she said.
“Now, with those cuts, the need for sustained domestic investment is even greater.” She added that such initiatives strengthen the confidence of Southern partners to engage as equal contributors in global collaborations.
Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo, a Makerere University researcher, said local initiatives could help sustain momentum. “Local funding opportunities allow countries to find resources for research and partnerships. Such efforts can improve equity through bottom-up collaborations,” he said.
Göthenberg noted that new opportunities lie in multidisciplinary work. “Many of the challenges we face today demand broadly defined solutions,” he said. “Multidisciplinary projects lead to broader societal impact and stronger partnerships.”
He also pointed to Africa’s demographic advantage: “With its young population and rapid innovation, Africa is driving technological development in ways that can benefit both continents.”
Equitable Partnerships Deliver Results
Wagaba said engaging communities early is key to success. “When we engage communities early, we can bridge the gap between large-scale interventions and local acceptance. Whether it’s water, vaccines, or health infrastructure, success depends on understanding immediate community priorities,” she said.
She cautioned that top-down projects often fail to deliver lasting impact.
“You may build a vaccine plant or develop a vaccine, but if a community’s immediate need is safe water, your intervention will falter,” she said, adding that warmth, respect, and open communication are as critical as technical expertise.
Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted tangible results from Sweden’s long-term support.
“Under the SIDA program, 500 PhD students were trained, all of whom returned to Uganda,” he said. “The program made them feel at home while gaining knowledge abroad. Without mutual respect, equity will always face challenges.”
Prof. Annika Östman Wernerson, president of Karolinska Institutet, said sustainable partnerships depend on continuous engagement.
“Every collaboration begins with people meeting. Warmth and curiosity are crucial between individuals and institutions,” she said. “Equity is not static; it requires continuous work. Trust and transparency are critical.”
A Global Model for Sustainable Partnerships
The 25-year collaboration between Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet demonstrates how long-term, equitable partnerships can strengthen research systems and inform policy.
As Nawangwe put it:
“Students return home, communities benefit, and research informs global health policy. This is a model of how equity and trust drive sustainable partnerships.”
The Makerere–Karolinska (KI-Mak) partnership shows how universities, funders, and governments can work together fairly and Like many others working in this field, the Center recognises that there is still much to learn and discuss about how partnerships can continue to evolve through openness, dialogue, and shared reflection.
As Makerere and Karolinska look to 2030, their renewed agreements promise more than ceremonial goodwill. The two universities will intensify exchanges between students and faculty, expand joint research, share academic output, and organise lectures, conferences, and workshops. They will also open new paths for training, scientific collaboration, and shared learning. After 25 years, the partnership has proven that long-term cooperation can endure and excel with mutual respect, steady investment, and a clear purpose.
Dr. Angelina Mwesige Kakooza, Associate Professor of Paediatrics in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) received the 2025 TWAS-Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi Award in Medical Sciences. She was recognised for her research on neurodevelopmental disorders – particularly epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and nodding syndrome – and for advancing policy and research, mentorship, as well as local community interventions to enhance children’s health.
The award was given at the recent 17th General Conference of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil under the theme ‘Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation for Global Development.’ Organized in partnership with the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and TWAS, the conference brought together leading scientists, policymakers, and institutional leaders from across the global South and beyond.
In her remarks after receiving the award, Dr. Kakooza said, “This award highlights the importance of neurodevelopmental disorders which are a great health problem worldwide, often diagnosed late and treated poorly,” said Kakooza. “It affirms my contribution to science in Africa, strengthens advocacy for gender equity in science and education and makes me a role model for others, increasing my influence in the scientific community.”
Dr. Angelina Kakooza Mwesige is a Ugandan scholar with over 25years teaching experience whose research focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders in children centred on their epidemiology, early screening, identification and community based interventions in Uganda. Her current areas of research cover studies on early detection and interventions for young infants at high risk of neurodevelopmental delay and disability in Nepal and Uganda; development of community engagement projects to empower adolescents living with epilepsy in Uganda reduce stigma in their communities; as well as development and testing of an interactive epilepsy smart phone application to improve resilience among them.
TWAS is a global merit-based science academy based in Trieste, Italy, and administered as a UNESCO Programme Unit. Read more here: https://twas.org/
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