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Publications Arising Directly from THRiVE-2 Funding in 2021

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  1. Milugo TK, Tchouassi DP, Kavishe RA, Dinglasan RR, Torto B. Root exudate chemical cues of an invasive plant modulate oviposition behavior and survivorship of a malaria mosquito vector. Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 20;11(1):14785. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94043-5.PMID: 34285252
  2. Kaaya, R.D., Kajeguka, D.C., Matowo, J.J, Ndaro A.J., Mosha FW, Chilongola J. O. and Kavishe R. A. Predictive markers of transmission in areas with different malaria endemicity in north-eastern Tanzania based on seroprevalence of antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum. BMC Res Notes 14, 404 (2021).
    doi: 10.1186/s13104-021-05818-y
  3. Mosha MV, Msuya SE, Kasagama E, Ayieko P, Todd J, Filteau S.PLoS One. Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among primary school children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. 2021 Apr 22;16(4):e0249595. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249595. eCollection 2021.PMID: 33886578
  4. Mosha MV, Kasagama E, Ayieko P, Todd J, Msuya SE, Grosskurth H, Filteau S. Description and comparison of physical activity from self-reports and accelerometry among primary school children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a pilot study. AAS Open Res. 2021 May 17;3:40. doi: 10.12688/aasopenres.13118.4.eCollection 2020.PMID: 34056542
  5. Mcharo RD, Mayaud P, Msuya SE. Where and how do young people like to get their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information? Experiences from students in higher learning institutions in Mbeya, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021 Sep 16;21(1):1683. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11728-2.PMID: 34530796
  6. Okello E, Ndagire E, Muhamed B, Sarnacki R, Murali M, Pulle J, Atala J, Bowen AC, DiFazio MP, Nakitto MG, Harik NS, Kansiime R, Longenecker CT, Lwabi P, Agaba C, Norton SA, Omara IO, Oyella LM, Parks T, Rwebembera J, Spurney CF, Stein E, Tochen L, Watkins D, Zimmerman M, Carapetis JR, Sable CA, Beaton A. Incidence of acute rheumatic fever in northern and western Uganda: a prospective, population-based study. Lancet Glob Health. 2021 Oct;9(10):e1423-e1430. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X (21)00288-6. Epub 2021 Aug 19. PMID: 34419237
  7. Beaton A, Okello E, Rwebembera J, Grobler A, Engelman D, Alepere J, Canales L, Carapetis J, DeWyer A, Lwabi P, Mirabel M, Mocumbi AO, Murali M, Nakitto M, Ndagire E, Nunes M, Omara IO, Sarnacki R, Scheel A, Wilson N, Zimmerman M, Zühlke L, Karthikeyan G, Sable CA, Steer AC. Secondary Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease. Accepted, NEJM, 8/24/21.
  8. Arthur Kwizera, David P Kateete, Ronald Ssenyonga, Lydia Nakiyingi, Jane Nakibuuka, Christine Namata, Arthur Mwanje, Emmy Okello, Daphne Kabatoro, Noah Kiwanuka, Robert C Bollinger, James Tumwine, Charlotte Summers. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in an African Intensive Care Unit Setting: A Prospective Study of Prevalence and Outcomes. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2021 Oct 19. doi: 10.1513/ AnnalsATS.202103-270RL.
  9. Christine Oryema, Karlmax Rutaro, Sam William Oyet and Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga. Ethnobotanical plants used in the management of symptoms of tuberculosis in rural Uganda Tropical Medicine and Health (2021) 49:92 https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-021-00384-2
  10. Mulugeta Belay, Begna Tulu, Sidra Younis, David A Jolliffe, Dawit Tayachew, Hana Manwandu, Tenagnework Abozen, Emawayish A Tirfie, Metasebia Tegegn, Aboma Zewude, Sally Forrest, Jonathan Mayito, Jim F Huggett, Gerwyn M Jones, Denise M O’Sullivan, Henny M Martineau, Mahdad Noursadeghi, Aneesh Chandran, Kathryn A Harris, Vlad Nikolayevskyy, Julie Demaret, Stefan Berg, Martin Vordermeier, Taye T Balcha, Abraham Aseffa, Gobena Ameni, Markos Abebe, Stephen T Reece, Adrian R Martineau. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA in CD34-positive peripheral blood mononuclear cells of asymptomatic tuberculosis contacts: an observational study. The Lancet Microbe, 2021 Jun. 2(6): p. E267-E275.
  1. Mosha MV, Kasagama E, Ayieko P, Todd J, Msuya SE, Grosskurth H Fulteau S.. Description and comparison of physical activity from self-reports and accelerometry among primary school children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a pilot study [version 4; peer review: 2 approved]. AAS Open Res 2021, 3:40 (https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13118.4)
  2. Philemon RN , Mmbaga BT , Bartlett J, Renju J, Mtuy T, Mboya IB , Msuya SE. Do Women Enrolled in PMTCT Understand the Recommendations: A Case Study from Kilimanjaro 16 June 2021 Volume 2021:15 Pages 1301—1309 DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S307847
  3. Okello E, Ndagire E, Muhamed B, Sarnacki R, Murali M, Pulle J, Atala J, Bowen AC, DiFazio MP, Nakitto MG, Harik NS, Kansiime R, Longenecker CT, Lwabi P, Agaba C, Norton SA, Omara IO, Oyella LM, Parks T, Rwebembera J, Spurney CF, Stein E, Tochen L, Watkins D, Zimmerman M, Carapetis JR, Sable CA, Beaton A. Incidence of acute rheumatic fever in northern and western Uganda: a prospective, population-based study. Lancet Glob Health. 2021 Oct;9(10):e1423-e1430. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00288-6. Epub 2021 Aug 19. PMID: 34419237
  4. Joel L. Bargul, Kevin O. Kidambasi, Merid N. Getahun, Jandouwe Villinger, Robert S. Copeland, Jackson M. Muema, Mark Carrington, Daniel K. Masiga. Transmission of ‘Candidatus Anaplasma camelii’ to mice and rabbits by camelspecific keds, Hippobosca camelina. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 15(8): e0009671. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009671
  5. Hudson Onen, Robinson Odong, Moses Chemurot, Frédéric Tripet and Jonathan K. Kayondo Predatory and competitive interaction in Anopheles gambiae sensu lato larval breeding habitats in selected villages of central Uganda. Parasites Vectors (2021) 14:420 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04926-9
  6. Dinah Amongin, Frank Kaharuza, Claudia Hanson, Annettee Nakimuli, Susan Mutesi, Lenka Benova and Lynn Atuyambe. “… I would have left that man long time ago but, …” exploring circumstances of and motivators for repeat adolescent birth in Eastern Uganda. Archives of Public Health (2021) 79:142
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-021-00662-9
  7. TK. Milugo, D P. Tchouassi, RA. Kavishe, RR. Dinglasan & B. Torto. Root exudate chemical cues of an invasive plant modulate oviposition behavior and survivorship of a malaria mosquito vector Nature Portfolio Scientific Reports | (2021) 11:14785 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94043-5
  8. Getange, D.; Bargul, J.L.; Kanduma, E.; Collins, M.; Bodha, B.; Denge, D.; Chiuya, T.; Githaka, N.; Younan, M.; Fèvre, E.M.; et al. Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Associated with Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northern Kenya. Microorganisms 2021, 9, 1414. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9071414
  1. Dacal E, Bermejo-Peláez D, Lin L, Álamo E, Cuadrado D, Martínez Á, Mousa A, Postigo M, Soto A, Sukosd E, Vladimirov A, Mwandawiro C, Gichuki P, Williams NA, Muñoz J, Kepha S, Luengo-Oroz M. Mobile microscopy and telemedicine platform assisted by deep learning for the quantification of Trichuris trichiura infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 Sep 7;15(9):e0009677. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009677. PMID: 34492039; PMCID: PMC8448303
  2. JM Muema, JL Bargul, JM Mutunga, MA. Obonyo, GO. Asudi, SN Njeru. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, Neurotoxic Zanthoxylum chalybeum root constituents invoke mosquito larval growth retardation through ecdysteroidogenic CYP450s transcriptional perturbations https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2021.104912
  3. Nakanjako D, Kendall D, Sewankambo NK, Razak M H, Oduor B, Odero T, Garcia P, Farquhar C. Building and Sustaining Effective Partnerships for Training the Next Generation of Global Health Leaders. Annals of Global Health. 2021; 87(1): 66, 1–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.3214
  4. Mosha MV, Msuya SE, Kasagama E, Ayieko P, Todd J, Filteau S (2021) Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among primary school children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. PLoS ONE 16(4): e0249595. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249595
  5. Tushabe P, Howard W, Bwogi J, Birungi M, Eliku JP, Kakooza P, Bukenya H, Namuwulya P, Gaizi J, Tibanagwa M, Kabaliisa T, Mulindwa J, Muhanguzi D, Suchard M, Gumede N, Bakamutumaho B.J. Molecular characterization of non-polio enteroviruses isolated from acute flaccid paralysis patients in Uganda. Med Virol. 2021 Jan 17. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26804. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33458840
  6. Martin Mbonye, Godfrey Siu & Janet Seeley (2021) Conflicted masculinities: understanding dilemmas and (re)configurations of masculinity among men in long-term relationships with female sex workers, in Kampala, Uganda, Culture, Health & Sexuality. DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2021.1891569
  7. Atuhairwe S, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Byamugisha J, Kaharuza F, Tumwesigye NM, Hanson C. Abortion-related nearmiss morbidity and mortality in 43 health facilities with differences in readiness to provide abortion care in Uganda. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Feb;6(2):e003274. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003274.PMID: 33547174
  8. Bagasha P, Namukwaya E, Leng M, Kalyesubula R, Mutebi E, Naitala R, Katabira E and Petrova M. Comparison of the healthrelated quality of life of end stage kidney disease patients on hemodialysis and non-hemodialysis management in Uganda. Bagasha et al. BMC Palliative Care (2021) 20:52 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-021-00743-0
  1. Kwizera R, Katende A, Bongomin F, Nakiyingi L and Bruce J. Kirenga. J Misdiagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis as pulmonary tuberculosis at a tertiary care center in Uganda: a case series. Med Case Reports (2021) 15:140 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-021-02721-9
  2. Nattoh G, Bargul JL, Magoma G, Mbaisi, L, Butungi H, Mararo E, E Teal, JK Herren (2021) The fungus Leptosphaerulina persists in Anopheles gambiae and induces melanization. PLoS ONE 16(2): e0246452. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246452
  3. D. Abera, CK Kibet, T Degefa, L Amenga‑Etego, JL Bargul, and L Golassa. Genomic analysis reveals independent evolution of Plasmodium falciparum populations in Ethiopia Malar J (2021) 20:129 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03660-y
  4. Richard Kwizera, Emmanuel Mande, Denis Omali, Samuel Okurut, Sheila Nabweyambo, Rose Nabatanzi, Damalie Nakanjako and David B. Meya. Translational research in Uganda: linking basic science to bedside medicine in a resource limited setting. J Transl Med (2021) 19:76 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-021-02747-z
  5. Amongin D, Kågesten A, Tunçalp Ö, Nakafeero M, Atuyambe L, Hanson C, Benova L. Later life outcomes of women by adolescent birth history: analysis of the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. BMJ Open 2021;11:e041545. doi:10.1136/ bmjopen-2020-041545
  6. Atuhairwe S, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Byamugisha J, et al. Abortion- related near-miss morbidity and mortality in 43 health facilities with differences in readiness to provide abortion care in Uganda. BMJ Global Health 2021;6:e003274. doi:10.1136/ bmjgh-2020-003274
  7. Milugo TK, Tchouassi DP, Kavishe RA, Dinglasan RR, Torto B. Derivatization increases mosquito larvicidal activity of the sesquiterpene lactone parthenin isolated from the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Pest Manag Sci. 2021 Feb;77(2):659-665. doi: 10.1002/ps.6131. Epub 2020 Oct 26.PMID: 33034953

Read more in the THRiVE Newsletter Oct-Dec 2021

Mark Wamai

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Directorate of Graduate Training concludes 9-day Phd Cross Cutting Training

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By: Moses Lutaaya

The Directorate of Graduate Training has completed a 9- day PhD crosscutting training course, inducting three groups of PhD students. The groups of students included those in Cohort 1, Cohort 2 and the Non Cohort PhD students. The number of PhD student participants were over 300 students learning via both face to face and online.

The training that started on Monday 2nd June 2025, took place in the New Library Building.

In his closing remarks, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma encouraged the PhD students to put up a spirited fight that would see them remain in the cohort up to the end of the three years of their doctoral studies.

“Get organized, show seriousness in your doctoral pursuit, stay together, make use of your supervisors as and when you need them. We will fully support you in your Doctoral academic journey.” Prof. Kikooma said.

Prof. Kikooma emphasized the need for PhD graduate training saying, “We need more research for the University and Country. This cannot be achieved without increasing the number of graduate students especially PhDs.”

At their different stages of PhD doctoral training, Prof. Kikooma encouraged the students to give feedback to the Directorate and the supervisors so that they are served seamlessly.

Prof. Kikooma further informed the students that going forward, they must cover all the three mandatory cross cutting courses meant to be taught under the three-year program of their doctoral studies.

“All three foundation courses including Scholarly Writing, Advanced Research Methods and Philosophy of Methods will be covered. Tighten your belts. We want to ensure that all these structured programs prepare you for the foundations you need for next two years of research. Success becomes easy when you undertake foundations.”

He challenged the students to use the program in guiding their research directions, making informed decision, improving their critical thinking and consumption of knowledge.

Dr. Dixon Knanakulya, one of the trainers of the doctoral students said, “At PhD level, it is no longer a normal research. It is at a level of knowledge production. The students must understand the main philosophical assumption behind the research methods they use and they must consider the ethical implications of their research. Philosophy of Methods enables them to go through that.”

“PhD students must be creative, innovative and start at the level of researching in the mind. This challenges them to think differently.” He added.

He further said that Philosophy of Methods helps in researches done at the different aspects of the national development plan. “Usually, the students question how the National plans are come up with and support improvement of government policies.”

Dr. Kanakulya added that the research output can be used by government for improvement because it is done by highly skilled researchers. Adding, “They come with very good insights which can be taken on to improve implementation of government programs such as Emyoga and Parish Development Model (PDM).”

He further said that policies are not enough without the social conditions and mindset of the people, saying that PhD scholars can help government know the social conditions and apply policies better.

The Cohort 1 PhD students’ president Mr. Wanyakoko Ebiru Moses said, “This training is extremely important for each student under taking doctoral studies and without it, they cannot acquire the fundamental skills they need to become independent researchers.”

He added that with the knowledge acquired in the Philosophy of Methods training, they will focus on research that aims to resolve societal and community problems.

Dr. Robert Kakuru, the President of Makerere University Academic Staff Association said that Philosophy of Methods is an important pillar in the doctoral journey of every PhD student.

“The Course, Philosophy of Method provides a critical foundation and Philosophical grounding for research methods that doctoral students use to undertake their respective studies. The course further underlines other critical issues that graduate students ought to know, integrate, adopt or adapt in their doctoral journeys.” He said.

Dr. Jim Spire Ssentongo, a senior lecturer and coordinator of the training said, “Philosophy of Methods builds a mass of critical researchers who are able to look at the world not from a narrow point of view but a holistic and broad based sense of understanding reality.”

He added, “Students understand how they can imagine the world to be. They take into account assumptions which inform the methods of research used, how they conduct themselves during research and how they approach respondents during the research process. Such assumptions are laid bear in this training and it helps participants to understand the things they have always held at the back of their minds without deliberately knowing that these are the assumptions they hold and this is how they affect and influence studies.”  

Dr. Ssentongo further said that once PhD students are engaged in reality in its broadness with right assumptions, they are then better placed as researchers to investigate such realities and that whatever they investigate, be it related to the National Development Plan and National Development Initiatives like Emyoga and Parish Development Model. This training positions, them at a more critical level as researchers not only in terms of assumptions but also being thinkers.

The Philosophy of Methods training was supported by the ICARTA – Institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Africa, a NORHED II Project at Makerere University.

Mak Editor

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CARTA Early Career Researchers in Action

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A photo montage of Dr. Godwin Anywar at the project ‘Traditional medicine in Transition (TMT)’ at the Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany (ISEB) and Botanical Garden, University of Zurich, Switzerland. 4th-12th June 2025. Photo: LinkedIn/Dr. Godwin Anywar

Godwin Anywar, cohort 6, facilitated a brainstorming session on grant writing and application during the research planning and conceptualization workshop and exhibition from a cooperative research and exhibition project, ‘Traditional Medicine in Transition,’ at the Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany (ISEB) and Botanical Garden, University of Zurich, from June 4 to 12, 2025.

Within the month, Godwin also joined the Rising Scholars as a mentor. Formerly known as AuthorAID, Rising Scholars is a global network offering free support, mentorship, training, and resources to researchers across the Global South.

Source: CARTA Newsletter Issue 90

Mark Wamai

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Advancing Regional Health Priorities Through the CARTA Research Hubs

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Training of pre-service cadres in outbreak investigation. Photo: CARTA

Strengthening Research Capacity to Tackle Emerging Infectious Diseases in East Africa

Africa continues to shoulder over 80% of the global infectious disease burden, with emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs and REIDs) like Ebola, COVID-19, tuberculosis, and Rift Valley fever posing serious threats to health systems, economies, and regional security. In biologically fragile regions like East Africa, home to dense populations, climate-sensitive ecosystems, and porous borders, multidisciplinary, cross-border responses are essential. 

To tackle this, the Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Research Hub has been established under CARTA and is hosted at Makerere University. Led by CARTA graduate Charles Kato, TERID brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers to fill critical gaps in disease surveillance, policy, prevention, and rapid response, strengthening regional capacity through high-impact, locally relevant science. Learn more

Source: CARTA Newsletter Issue 90

Mark Wamai

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