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.
Health
Makerere-Incubated Safe Bangle Technologies Wins Prestigious World Summit Award for Innovation Against GBV
By Joseph Odoi
In a groundbreaking achievement, SafeBangle Technologies, an innovation incubated at Makerere University, has won the prestigious World Summit Award 2025 for its groundbreaking contribution to the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in Africa. This remarkable honor comes in recognition of the development and implementation of a real-time domestic violence reporting bracelet.
The award was presented to the SafeBangle team that was represented by Saul Kabali, Messach Luminsa, and Janet Christine Nabaloga from SafeBangle Technologies at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad, India, where Uganda’s innovation potential was proudly showcased on a global stage.
The award was conferred in the Inclusion & Empowerment category for Safe Bangle’s cutting-edge solution; a wearable safety bracelet designed to address the pressing challenge of gender-based violence (GBV) across Africa.
The SafeBangle is a smartwatch-like, real-time domestic violence reporting bracelet that allows users to send SMS alerts via a single button press. Its core mission is to create a safer, more secure environment for women and children in Africa through innovative, affordable tech solutions.
According to Saul Kabali and Messach Luminsa, the innovators behind SafeBangle from SafeBangle Technologies, hosted at the Resilient African Network Lab. This award is very timely and a recognition that cements the importance of community rooted technology.
The team further stated that ‘’This award is a powerful affirmation of our mission and refuels our commitment to empowering Ugandan women and girls through innovation and technology. It influences our next steps by opening doors to new partnerships, increasing our credibility, and accelerating efforts to scale the SafeBangle nationally. We’re now more equipped to positively impact the daily lives of Ugandan women and girls through our SafeBangle bracelet.
To further the innovation, the team has called upon government to support the Safe Bangle Innovation
‘’Governments can support us by providing funding, facilitating policy support, and creating collaborative platforms for innovation. NGOs can help with grassroots outreach, and connect us to potential donors and funders interested in solving Sexual and Gender Based Violence amongst vulnerable communities; and tech partners can enhance scalability through infrastructure, data insights, and capacity building.
Moving forward, the team emphasized the importance of uniting innovation, partnership, and purpose to scale impact. “As we empower communities, invest in local solutions, and promote collaboration, we can transform how technology protects and uplifts women and girls across Uganda,” added the award-winning team.
The Story Behind the Safe Bangle Bracelet Innovation
According to the Safe Bangle innovators Saul Kabali and Messach Luminsa , ‘’The inspiration behind SafeBangle came from a deeply personal place. ‘’We heard countless stories of women who couldn’t call for help during moments of danger. We were deeply affected by the story of Aisha, a young woman in a rural village who was attacked while walking home alone at night. With no way to call for help, she felt helpless and vulnerable. This incident made us realize the critical need for immediate reporting alert tools, accessible to women like Aisha. We knew technology could play a crucial role and this incident awakened a strong desire in us to create a solution’’
To Makerere University School of Public Health’s Dr. Juliet Kiguli, who collaborated closely with the team during the rollout of the bracelet, this award is a vote of confidence in the work of Makerere University, whose core function focuses on teaching, learning, community engagement, research, and innovation, all contributing to the university’s efforts in addressing domestic violence.
‘’The award-winning innovation stems from the findings of a longitudinal study led by the Makerere University School of Public Health.
While carrying out a study after the Covid-19 Pandemic, we identified gaps when it comes to reporting and response to Gender Based Violence (GBV) among women in informal settlements. Therefore, we used to incorporate the SafeBangle intervention to solve the problem of lack of affordable and immediate reporting mechanisms for violence using a bracelet that reports violence in real time
We’re excited about the progress so far, and with this recognition, we hope that more like-minded partners will join us to scale this initiative and ultimately help make the world a safer place for all.” Added Dr Kiguli of the Safe Bangle innovation potential
The research team, comprising Dr. Juliet Kiguli (Principal Investigator), Dr. Roy Mayega (Deputy Chief of Party, RAN), and Dr. Agnes Nyabigambo (Study Coordinator), piloted the bracelet under the PEER (Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research) program with support from USAID and the National Academies of Sciences.
A consortium of partners, including SafeBangle Technologies, Makerere School of Public Health/RAN , the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Somero Uganda, implemented the rollout of the Domestic Violence Real-Time Reporting Bracelet. The initiative was supported by USAID and the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. Key contributors to the project included Dr Juliet Kiguli Roy Mayega from Makerere University School of Public Health, Dr. Kelly Robbins, Dr. Lina Stankute-Alexander, Dr. Brent Wells, Dr. Melissa Trimble, and Uganda’s Dr. Gloria Kasozi at USAID. Wisconsin Madison Medical University’s Prof. Julia Dickson-Gomez was also a collaborator.
In terms of the acceptability of the SafeBangle innovation as a solution to GBV, the team has piloted the technology with more than 1,000 users, resulting in a 63% reduction in response times
During the event, SafeBangle Team participated in the “Equity by Design” panel, sharing insights on inclusive technology development with global experts including Dorothy Gordon, Abhishek Singh from India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT, Baroness Beeban Kidron, and representatives from UNESCO and WE Hub.
About SafeBangle Technologies
SafeBangle Technologies is a Ugandan social enterprise hosted at Resilient African Network Lab focused on addressing gender-based violence through innovative safety solutions. The company combines wearable technology with an interactive web platform to provide real-time reporting of violence and physical assaults, even in areas without internet connectivity. Founded in 2018, SafeBangle operates with a mission to make safety accessible and affordable for vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
Health
A Humble Petition from the Marabou Storks of Kampala to His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Your Excellency,
We send you warm greetings from the skies above Kampala — from your old, bald-headed friends, the Marabou Storks, or as we are fondly called, the Kalooli. We are not the prettiest of birds, with our wrinkled faces, hunched shoulders, and sharp beaks, but we carry an important duty. Where others see waste and decay, we see purpose. We are nature’s cleaners, recycling what would otherwise rot and cause harm.
Some count us among Africa’s “Ugly Five,” alongside hyenas, vultures, wildebeests, and warthogs, but we take no offense. Beauty was never the Creator’s mission for our mission, but service was. We glide quietly between life and death, keeping the balance, cleaning the mess, and doing the work that must be done.
Today, we come to you not with complaints, but with a plea for partnership, to protect our shared home and ensure a cleaner, healthier Uganda for all. We still remember the day in 2008, Mr. President, when you gave the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Kampala Capital City Authority instructions to “kindly relocate us” from the esteemed grounds of State House, Nakasero. We don’t harbor angry feelings. Truly. We realized back then, as we do now, that not everyone finds our odd looks or the noble scent that naturally results from a lifetime of cleaning your lovely nation appealing.
Your Excellency, we are modest. And forgiving. We maintained our composure even when we were discussed in Parliament in 2020, when honorable members referred to us as “health threats” and asked that we leave the Parliament gardens. We birds, after all, literally have thicker skin!
We are better citizens now. Thanks to Makerere University‘s kind hospitality, we have discovered a new haven. We express our deep thanks to Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe for preserving the ancient trees, the very canopies that now provide us with protection, generation after generation. Students here lovingly refer to us as “the real professors of Makerere,” observing us as we keep a watchful eye on campus life with our sage, steady gaze. Some people think it’s a blessing to see a Kalooli before an exam. We take selfies with other people. We have kind of turned into little celebrities, sir. We appreciate the tranquility, love and peace you provided, with your comrade freedom fighters. They bring uhuru to these trees, and our kids pray for you every day for more life.
However, we come before you today not just to reminisce, but to raise important concerns not for ourselves alone, but for the survival of Uganda’s fragile ecosystem.
We are concerned about the growing crisis in waste, plastics, and environmental decay.
Your Excellency, you are a man who loves numbers. Allow us to present some:
- 768 metric tons — that is the amount of food waste produced DAILY in Kampala alone.
- 65% to 79% of solid waste in Kampala landfills consists of food waste.
- The dairy industry in Uganda loses $23 million annually from waste alone, according to the Food Rights Alliance.
- 135,804 tons of plastic waste generated in the Kampala Metropolitan Area recently.
- 42% of that waste remains uncollected, leading to clogged drains, flood risks, pollution of wetlands, and of course, diseases.
- Shockingly, 10% of this waste ends up in Uganda’s precious water systems!
Your Excellency,
It might surprise you but it’s true. Between 2018 and 2021, Uganda produced 12,330 tons of recycled polyethylene (rPET). And that’s not all conservative estimates predict a 91% increase in production between 2022 and 2025, should imports stay the same.
Mr. President, we Marabou Storks have served loyally as your unpaid, unsung environmental officers. While your citizens discard waste carelessly, we fly across the city, scavenging, sorting, and managing organic decay. We are your frontline solid waste managers, yet without uniforms, pensions, or even a simple “thank you.”
We join you in mourning the tragic loss of life that occurred at Kiteezi Landfill. We experienced devastation because the birds that live there consider that place their territory. We directly observed your people’s struggle to survive while they navigated hazardous unstable waste piles. Our deepest condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones and to every Ugandan citizen. The disaster served as a harsh reminder that waste mismanagement impacts people directly beyond just environmental concerns. Working together as environmental custodians we ask you to take action to prevent more deaths from occurring beneath waste mountain piles.
Just for context, Mr. President, since you fondly like science, here is the scientific truth about us
You may recall Dr. Derek Pomeroy and Mr. Michael Kibuule, distinguished researchers at Makerere University, who in 2021 published the history of our kind in Uganda. They noted:
- Over 1,200 nesting pairs once graced Kampala city alone.
- Over 800 Marabous nested at Makerere University.
- Uganda likely hosts the largest urban colony of Marabou Storks in the world.
Dr. Pomeroy and Kibuule should receive Katonga medals because we recognize their devotion to us. They have loved us. Dr. Pomeroy first came to Uganda in 1969 to work in Makerere University‘s Department of Zoology. He developed deep affection for us and demonstrated excellent understanding. He has written affectionately about us. He knows we are innocent. Dr. Pomeroy maintains his affiliation to Makerere University while conducting independent research as both a Zoologist and an ecologist.
Mr. President, in the beginning, our existence was in the untamed savanna. We transitioned to urban areas alongside human development to assist with cleanup duties rather than to create any disturbance. We came to clean up the areas where you discarded bones and waste. Ronald Norman Magill stated that despite being part of Africa’s “Ugly Five,” we remain crucial to ecosystems because our simple and gritty nature is what makes us indispensable. Our role includes feeding on dead animals and decomposing matter to prevent diseases and sustain soil health through silent and selfless recycling of life.
Your Excellency, here are our humble pleas to you, Our President
- Please urge your people to plant trees.
Our homes are disappearing completely. Sky scrapers are popping up everywhere we used to patch. Your Excellency, we merely ask that you recognize our role and protect our habitats; we are not opposed to development. In order to locate nesting sites, we now have to travel a considerable distance between Kiteezi, Lubigi, and the University. For all creatures, feathery, four-legged, and two-legged—healthy trees translate into richer soils, cleaner air, better rainfall, and cooler cities. - Please strengthen plastic waste management.
Your laws Mr. President, the 10-Year Restoration Plan, the National Environment Act 2019, and the Extended Producer Responsibility rules are all positive steps, but laws that do nothing are just as useful as wings on a tortoise. Please advocate for implementation, particularly in the areas of public education on responsible dumping and enforcement. We implore you to encourage your people to stop illegal dumping, sort their waste, recycle, and treat the environment as a gift rather than a trash can. - Please invest boldly in waste infrastructure.
Your Excellency, - If Parliament can enjoy a small patriotic “thank you” of the legendary “100 silver coins” for safeguarding peace, surely a few crumbs can reach us, the Marabou Storks; Kampala’s tireless, unpaid sanitation workers, as a token of national gratitude. Imagine what a few billion shillings for KCCA, for trucks, bins, and civic education could achieve. A cleaner Kampala would mean less wandering for us and less embarrassment for you when tourists meet our noble, bald-headed selves. At least then, we would feast in dignity, not after cross-country marathons over scattered rubbish.
- Support Community Environmental Heroes.
Students, youth, schools, churches, and communities are already doing cleanup drives. Support them with grants, incentives, recognition, and encouragement. Empower a new generation of eco-warriors.
Mr. President, we, Marabou Storks are no longer the nuisance you once sought to relocate.
We are living proof that resilience, adaptation, and hard work can co-exist even in a changing, urbanized world.
All we ask now is for you and your government to join wings with us, birds and humans alike to clean up Kampala, to green Uganda, and to create a legacy that future generations will bless you for.
Let us work together, so that Uganda shines not under mounds of waste, but under canopies of trees, rivers flowing freely, and skies where even the humble Kalooli can soar proudly.
Yours sincerely,
The Marabou Storks of Kampala
The writer is a science and health communicator
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