Health

CAGE-TB Project Vacancies: Three (3) PhD Fellows

Published

4 years ago

December 22, 2021

Mark Wamai

A Male PhD Graduand from MUBS strides down the red carpet shortly after being conferred upon his award on Day 3 of the 69th Graduation Ceremony, 17th January 2019, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

We are recruiting three (3) PhD students to join the CAGE-TB programme, a multidisciplinary consortium supported by a grant from the European Commission and Coordinated by Stellenbosch University. CAGE-TB brings together African and European scientists to develop a mobile phone-based cough triage test for Tuberculosis (TB).

The Cough Audio triaGE for TB (CAGE-TB) project aims at promoting the adoption of mobile health-based cough audio triage testing for active pulmonary tuberculosis in health facilities in high-burden settings. Specifically the study aims are; a.) to generate and separately validate a cough audio classifier that meets the criteria for the World Health Organization (WHO) triage test target product profile for sensitivity and specificity, b.) to produce data on potential cost savings, and c.) to package the underlying technology into an easy-to-use smartphone app built using human-centred design ready-for-use in large-scale clinical evaluations. It will do so through:

Collecting cough audio data in a discovery cohort of patients with a prolonged cough who present to primary care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa; and optimising a classifier scheme;
Validating the audio classifier algorithm in separate clinical validation cohorts in Cape Town, South Africa and Kampala, Uganda and calculate potential cost savings; and
Using a human-centred design process to integrate the classifier into a smartphone application and identifying potential barriers and facilitators to its successful deployment.

CAGE-TB will provide opportunities for PhD training as part of its research activities. There will be three (3) PhD positions. The research topics for these PhDs will include aspects of diagnostic and implementation research, costing, mHealth, and human-centered design.

Under the supervision of a multi-discipinary research team, the PhD candidate will conduct mixed-methods research, hence the relevant tracks will be focusing on diagnostic OR implementation and costing research OR mHealth and human-centered design, to:

assess current smartphone and app usage among healthcare staff;
explore existing policies and practices of TB triage and diagnosis in primary health facilities;
conduct cost data collection and analysis of the phone-based cough triage test; and
support participatory app design process.

The role:

Design and conduct qualitative (e.g. structured interview guides) and/or quantitative research (e.g. survey questionnaires);
Develop a research protocol and obtain approval from ethical review committees;
Understand cultural background of participants to evaluate findings and methods in this context;
Analyze qualitative (e.g. coding) and/or quantitative data (e.g. statistical analyses)
Prepare and hold presentations for an audience with a varied disciplinary background;
Take the lead in authoring articles to be published in international peer-reviewed journals;
Compile a thesis based on the articles (and submitted manuscripts);
Participate in and present findings at CAGE-TB consortium meetings.

Professional background:

Required

A completed master’s degree in a health-related social science discipline, such as medical anthropology, medical sociology, OR a masters in, biological sciences, Medical-related discipline, global/public health, health services research, clinical epidemiology, and biostatistics with a significant proportion of qualitative research.
Experience in designing and conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research, biomedical science research, implementation science research
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex findings to an audience with varied disciplinary background.
Willingness and ability to work independently and to collaborate with a multidisciplinary and international team.
Socially engaged, highly motivated to understand social dynamics, autonomous and creative.
The willingness to be part of an international research team.

Desirable

Proficient in qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis software.
Experience of undertaking data collection in primary care settings.
Has taken a leading role in at least one article published in an international peer-reviewed journal (i.e., first author added advantage).
Demonstrable experience in the proposed track of choice i.e., diagnostic, implementation, and costing research, or mHealth and human-centered design
MUST be a Ugandan

Do you recognize yourself in this job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 31 January 2022. You can apply by sending the following to Ms. Nakayiza Hariet, email; kayizaharry[at]gmail.com. Please indicate ‘PhD TB-CAGE’ in the subject line.

CV. Please mention the months (not just years) in your CV when referring to your education and work experience.
a transcript of all university courses taken, and grades obtained;
a one-page motivation letter which includes a brief statement of research interests and experience;
a concept note: two pages plus one page of relevant literature. Clearly whether you are interested in diagnostic, implementation, and costing research, or mHealth and human-centered design.
Two (2) reference letters

Please combine all documents into a single PDF file and send it to Ms. Nakayiza Hariet, email; kayizaharry[at]gmail.com. Applications need to be submitted on or before 31 January 2022.

The Cough Audio triaGE for TB PhD Advert _ 8 12 2021 Download

Related Topics:App CAGE-TB coding Data design Fellows health mHealth PhD primary quantitative WHO

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Health

Makerere Health Services Guidance on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2026

Mak Editor

How to protect yourself and your loved ones from Ebola. Ministry of Health, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda recently reported an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which is a serious and often deadly disease caused by a person being infected by the Ebola virus.

The virus spreads through direct contact with body fluids such as blood, saliva, faeces, vomit, urine, sweat or genital fluids from a person who is infected with EVD.

The symptoms of EVD usually develop after 8 – 10 days from contact with an infected person and may include fatigue, high fever, headache, sore throat, muscle and joint pains, vomiting and diarrhea and in severe cases, bleeding.

What should we do as the Makerere University community?

The Chief, Makerere Health Services, Prof. J.K. Byamugisha advises as follows:

Avoid unnecessary contact such as shaking hands, hugging etc.
Place alcohol disinfectants or hand washing equipment at all entry points within the University and ensure everyone is using them.
Students should sit in single-person chairs while in class, avoiding contact with their neighbours.
Do not sit too close to one another especially in frequently crowded places such as classrooms, library or any other waiting area.
While at the University Hospital, wash hands a the gate, use alcohol disinfectant at the reception.
All patients should have a maximum of one caretaker – others can check on them by calling.
Avoid bringing luggage to the University Hospital.
Target to do as instructed by the health worker.
For further information and guidance on Ebola, please call Dr. Charles Basigara on Tel: 0702 966652 and Sr. Eunice Namubiru on Tel: 0779 950978 (Contact persons for the University Health Services)

Additionally, always look out for and ensure full compliance with Ministry of Health (MoH) Infection Prevention and Control measures such as the one below.

How to report suspected Ebola cases to Health Authorities. Ministry of Health, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***How to report suspected Ebola cases to Health Authorities.***

Please find attached detailed communications from Prof. Byamugisha and
the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health.

Makerere-Health-Services-Ebola-Virus-Disease-Memo-28-May-2026 Download

Ministry of Health Circular on Mass Gatherings Download

Health

Call for Applications: Masters Support in Self-Management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden

Published

1 week ago

May 25, 2026

Mak Editor

An aerial photo of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University showing Left to Right: The Sir Albert Cook Memorial Library, School of Biomedical Sciences, Davies Lecture Theatre, School of Public Health, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH)-Background Left and Nakasero Hill-Background Right, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Case Western Reserve University, partnering with Mbarara University of Science and Technology, are implementing a five-year project titled “Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult Ugandans with Epilepsy.”

The program is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). One aspect of the program is to provide advanced degree training to qualified candidates interested in pursuing clinical and research careers in Epilepsy. We aim to grow epilepsy research capacity, including self-management approaches, in SSA.

The Project is soliciting applications for Master’s Research thesis support focusing on epilepsy-related research at Makerere University and Mbarara University, cohort 3, 2026/2027.

Selection criteria

Should be a Master’s student of the following courses: MMED in Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing, or a Master’s in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, or any other related field).
Should have completed at least one year of their Master’s training in the courses listed above.
Demonstrated interest in Epilepsy and Neurological diseases, care and prevention, and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career, and devoted to Epilepsy, Clinical Practice, and Prevention.

Research Programs:

The following are the broad Epilepsy research priority areas (THEMES), and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of: Applicants are not limited to these themes; they can propose other areas.

The epidemiology of Epilepsy and associated risk factors.

Determining the factors affecting the quality of life, risk factors, and outcomes (mortality, morbidity) for Epilepsy, epilepsy genetics, and preventive measures among adults.
Epilepsy in childhood and its associated factors, preventative measures etc.
Epilepsy epidemiology and other Epilepsy related topics.
Epilepsy interventions and rehabilitation

In addition to a formal master’s program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Good Clinical Practice, behavioral sciences research, data and statistical analysis, and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

· Relevance to program objectives

Quality of research and research project approach
Feasibility of study
Mentors and mentoring plan; in your mentoring plan, please include who the mentors are, what training they will provide, and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors, and a 2-page concept or an approved full proposal describing your project and addressing Self-Management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adults or an epilepsy-related problem.

For more information, inquiries, and additional advice on developing concepts, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the following:

Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Prof. Mark Kaddumukasa: kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Mbarara University

Ms. Josephine N Najjuma: najjumajosephine@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Administrator of the Epilepsy Project. Email: smireb2@gmail.com; Closing date for the Receipt of applications is 5^th July 2026.

Health

ALLSTAR Training Program: Applications Open for AI and Machine Learning Course in TB Research

Published

2 weeks ago

May 20, 2026

John Okeya

Officials pose for a group photo with participants in the specialized short course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) focused on their application in tuberculosis (TB) research, held from June 23–27, 2025, ResilientAfrica Network (RAN), Kololo MakSPH Annex. Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), through the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, in collaboration with the Global Health Institute at the University of Georgia, USA, is inviting applications for an intensive five-day short course on the Foundations and Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Tuberculosis (TB) Research.

Date: June 22–26, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (EAT)
Venue: ResilientAfrica Network (RAN), Kololo MakSPH Annex

The course is designed for Master’s and PhD students, research fellows, junior researchers, and professionals in public health, medicine, digital health, TB/HIV, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computer science, geography, nursing, and related fields.

Participants will gain hands-on exposure to AI/ML applications in TB and TB/HIV research, including Generative AI, LLMs, Computer Vision, GeoAI, ethical AI use, data management, and model deployment.

Limited scholarships are available.
Application deadline: June 1, 2026