Connect with us

Health

Ugandan Legislators applaud MakSPH for Road Safety & Injuries Research

Published

on

Members of Parliament under the Parliamentary Forum on Road Safety (PAFROS) have commended research efforts by the Makerere University School of Public Health’s Trauma and Disability Unit (TRIAD) for its leadership in injury and prevention research. The legislators signed a commitment to support all efforts aimed at improving road safety in Uganda.

 The legislators said this while at an engagement meeting with researchers at MakSPH that took place on Thursday 17th February 2022 at Sheraton Hotel. In a well-attended session, the research team shared evidence from a number of publications that have influenced policy, and over 10-11 years, and the several achievements the School has achieved in collaboration with partners both national and international.

Members of Parliament under the Parliamentary Forum on Road Safety (PAFROS)
Members of Parliament under the Parliamentary Forum on Road Safety (PAFROS) alongside TRIAD PI Dr. Olive Kobusingye during a breakfast meeting.

The 2014 WHO Global Health Estimates show high burden of injuries with over five million people dying of injuries every year. Mr. Frederick Oporia, a PhD fellow says nearly every six seconds, someone dies from an injury leaving over 50 million people with disabilities.

Despite this, there is insufficient research capacity to drive prevention and management of these injuries which makes multidisciplinary approach in handling multidisciplinary nature of injuries.

Mr. Frederick Oporia, a PhD fellow speaks at the dialogue with MPs.
Mr. Frederick Oporia, a PhD fellow speaks at the dialogue with MPs. 

TRIAD’s main objective is to contribute to the reduction of injury burden in Uganda by strengthening research capacity on injuries and their medical, social and economic consequences both at Individual, community and National level.

There are various kinds of injuries that range from being intentional and non-intentional. Some of these include violence, burns, poisoning, drowning, falls and road traffic crashes. In all these injuries, road traffic contributes the highest burden 24% hence a big problem.

Currently, TRIAD focuses on mobility, Road Traffic Injury prevention, drowning prevention, childhood injury prevention and emergency Trauma Care and emergency medical services.

“When we compare HIV, tuberculosis and Malaria rates, we see that injuries alone almost double what these other Disease claim and it’s a problem we need to tackle,” says Oporia.

Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seeks to ensure health and well-being for all, at every stage of life. Equally so, the UN Decade of Action included road safety in the framework of Sustainable Development Goals with an ambition to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 2020.

The 2011-2020 decade of action for road safety was premised on five pillars that included road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users, and post-crash response.

However, trends analysis in the Uganda Police Reports show that Uganda instead increased road traffic crashes. The SDG Goal 11 that commits UN member States to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable ambitiously states that by 2030, the member states should be able to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.

Hon. Naome Kabasharira, the Rushenyi County Constituency MP shares a light moment with the TRIAD Unit research team at Sheraton. Listening in is Dr. Olive Kobusingye, the PI
Hon. Naome Kabasharira, the Rushenyi County Constituency MP shares a light moment with the TRIAD Unit research team at Sheraton. Listening in is Dr. Olive Kobusingye, the PI

The Road safety performance review report of 2018 show that Uganda’s road safety management is managed in the Ministry of Works and Transport under the Directorate of Road Transport. Some of the road transport legislations include, the Traffic and Road Safety Act (Amended) 2020, the Uganda National Roads Authority Act, 2006, the Uganda Road Fund Act, 2008, the National Road Safety Policy, 2014 and the Non-Motorized Transport policy, 2012.

Hon. Bright Amooti
Hon. Bright Tom Amooti, MP Kyaka Central appends his signature on the commitment from MakSPH to promote road safety in Uganda.

Speaking to the legislators, Esther Bayiga Zziwa, a PhD fellow at MakSPH’s TRIAD unit says however that Uganda has legislative gaps in majority of the risk factors for instance, while Uganda has national drink-driving law in place, and drink – driving based on Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or equivalent breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), the BAC limit for the general population is way higher than the global standard. The global standard is at below 5 gram per blood liter. However, in Uganda, the law puts it at 7 gram per blood liter which is high. Ms. Bayiga says there is a need to handle this back to the global level.

Uganda has a national motorcycle helmet law in place which applies to motorcycle drivers and adult passengers and to all road types an engine type. However, the law does not require helmets to be properly fastened as well as meet the national and or international standards.

“Helmets standards for motorcyclists put up by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) need to make sure that those ones on market meet the standards and if you are found wearing a fake helmet, you are not better off than one not wearing any because in case of a crash, it will damage your head instead of protecting it, and people need to fasten their Helmets for better effectiveness,” says Bayiga.

Research on road safety has found that behaviour interventions area not as effective as environmental, legislative and enforcement actions. Bayiga says the Behavioural component alone cannot be effective. She recommends a multipronged approach that includes bbehavioural, environmental modification, enforcement and legislation in road safety regulation.

Uganda lacks a national child restraint law based on age, weight, height or a combination of these factors that would restrict children under a certain age-height from sitting in the front seat.

“In Uganda, even here in Kampala, those who can afford cars do not buy child safety seats for their babies and the children are carried by other adults and do not have a seat on their own. However, in case of a clash, those are the first ones that fall off the car because of their body mass and can’t survive with the normal seat,” Bayiga says.

Esther Bayiga Zziwa, a PhD fellow at MakSPH’s TRIAD unit
Esther Bayiga Zziwa, a PhD fellow at MakSPH’s TRIAD unit presenting at a meeting with members of PAFROS at Sheraton Hotel during a breakfast meeting on February 17, 2022.

According to Bayiga, other countries have the regulations but; “Our law does not take account any with regarding children, and probably some people think cannot afford, but this can not be compared to the lives and value of children, they too need safe seat because every life matters and a law should be put in place to address this.”

Hon. Linda Irene Mugisa, the Fort portal City Woman MP and member of the Road Safety Forum acknowledges the role of legislators to make laws and policies that would protect Ugandans.

Hon. Linda Irene Mugisa, the Fort portal City Woman MP and member of the Road Safety Forum
Hon. Linda Irene Mugisa, the Fort portal City Woman MP and member of the Road Safety Forum signs a MakSPH-Road Safety commitment

“We have a big role of sensitizing the masses. Right now, we have very many youths who are earning income through riding boda-bodas. And the unfortunate part of this is that most of these youths have not gone through training and most of them are riding illegally because some cannot afford the driving permits. As members of parliament we feel we should advocate for the reduction in the amount of money a rider requires in order to acquire a driving permit,” says Hon. Linda.

Juliet Bashiisha Agasha, the Woman MP for Mitooma District said she was impressed by the dialogue and was excited to learn that indeed, the Trauma, Injury and Disability Unit at Makerere University School of Public Health was the only unit in Uganda that focuses on research of injury and prevention.

Juliet Bashiisha Agasha, the Woman MP for Mitooma District submits during a MakSPH-PAFROS breakfast meeting at Sheraton in Kampala on road safety.
Juliet Bashiisha Agasha, the Woman MP for Mitooma District submits during a MakSPH-PAFROS breakfast meeting at Sheraton in Kampala on road safety.

According to Hon. Agasha, there are many unqualified drivers on Uganda’s road who commit a lot of traffic offenses and sometimes walk away without punishment due to lack of monitoring systems. She also says most drivers lack good training and that some simply acquire driving permits without ever going to the driving schools.

“If we can have the measures that can monitor whoever makes a mistake, and then they charge accordingly, I know as Ugandans, we fear fines very much. The moment they fine you today, I don’t think tomorrow you can repeat the same mistake,” says Hon. Agasha.

She advocates for more cameras to track traffic crimes in order to improve road safety. “In fact, you find someone who is driving without a seatbelt and when he senses a traffic person, that is when he remembers that seatbelts are supposed to be used. So there is a lot of effort that we have to put in in order to reduce on road accidents especially on these motorcycles. You find a big group of motorcycles driving when there are red lights and they don’t mind whether there is red or green for them they keep moving. But if they can be controlled or sensitized about dangers of a vehicle that coming from a different direction, I believe we can reduce on the road accidents,” says Hon. Agasha.

The MP for Iki-Iki County in Budaka district, Robert Kasolo agrees that using technology in enforcement of traffic order is the way to go. He expresses concern that cameras in Uganda are largely not for road traffic law enforcement but for security reasons. “But I think that would be the ideal situation. In developed countries, cameras are part of the gadgets for enforcing traffic laws. We need to move in that direction. Policemen cannot be everywhere. But a camera can record a wider area and can be a source of evidence,” says Hon. Kasolo, who also doubles as Vice Chairperson of the Physical Infrastructure Committee of Parliament.

MP for Iki-Iki County in Budaka district, Robert Kasolo at the Breakfast meeting.
MP for Iki-Iki County in Budaka district, Robert Kasolo at the breakfast meeting. 

Tonny Ayo, the Member of Parliament for Kwania County, and Vice chairperson Parliamentary committee on Road Safety wants the Uganda Police Traffic department to begin to use the cameras both within the cities and high ways to bring drivers to book.

“One of our concerns of ensuring that people follow the traffic regulations and laws is that government put in place the cameras on streets and highways and we have spent money on this and the purpose was not only to deal with crime and terrorism but one of them was enforcement of traffic rules and regulations which unfortunately as a Forum as parliament and a public are wondering why government cannot come up to enforce this,” says Hon. Ayo.

Hon. Tonny Ayo, the Member of Parliament for Kwania County, and Vice chairperson Parliamentary committee on Road Safety
Hon. Tonny Ayo, the Member of Parliament for Kwania County, and Vice chairperson Parliamentary committee on Road Safety

He opines that; “When you drive along highways and roads within Kampala, the reckless driving of high speed, the bad overtaking, we expected that cameras could take stock of what is happening. We are calling on government to move in to ask police to begin to use these cameras to enforce the laws.”

According to Hon. Ayo, using video and pictorial evidence from the cameras, government will go a long way in collecting huge non-tax revenue through fines of traffic offenders.

“If we do this consistently for 6 months, then we are going to see discipline by the motorist in in this country and I think by the decade plan of action we were supposed to have reduced road crashes and injuries in the country by half by 2020. Now we are in 2022, and instead of reducing, the crashes and injuries have increased. That means now we need to act because we have noticed that sensitization and talking to people,” says Hon. Ayo.

Dr. Olive Chifefe Kobusingye, an accident & emergency surgeon, injury epidemiologist at MakSPH says TRIAD’s biggest concern is road safety and accessible for all road users. She ads that this can be achieved through good road designs.

“Designing for all road users not just for motorists. Making sure that there is space to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and accommodate those that are using wheel chairs for instance and to pay attention to the size of the population so that we in the design cater for heavy pedestrian presence, those spaces are adequate for them,” says Dr. Kobusingye.

Dr. Olive Chifefe Kobusingye, an accident & emergency surgeon, injury epidemiologist at MakSPH
Dr. Olive Chifefe Kobusingye, an accident & emergency surgeon, injury epidemiologist at MakSPH speaking during the breakfast meeting at Sheraton Hotel.

In addition to the design, Dr. Kobusingye also agrees with the legislators on the need to increase enforcement of traffic regulations in Uganda to ensure road safety.

“There are areas where we need to enforce for instance where there is limited access to motorized traffic. These are all provided for in the non-motorized transport policy. So, the implementation of that policy is key to ensuring that transportation is safe, its accessible, its affordable and that its equitable that we do not prioritize certain types of road users over others,” Dr. Kobusingye observes.

The TRIAD research team in a group photo with Members of Parliament under the Parliamentary Forum on Road Safety (PAFROS) at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala on
The TRIAD research team in a group photo with Members of Parliament under the Parliamentary Forum on Road Safety (PAFROS) at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala on Feb. 17, 2022

Davidson Ndyabahika

Health

MakCHS Staff recognised for their contribution to health at 2025 HIHA Awards

Published

on

Staff from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) recognised for their contribution to the health sector in Uganda and beyond during 6th edition of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) held 14th November 2025 during the Africa Health Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. Professor Moses Galukande (Right) and Dr. Mary Nabbosa (Left) with Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (Centre) after receiving their respective Minister’s Special Recognition Awards.

Professor Moses Kamya, Professor Nelson Sewankambo, Professor David Serwadda and Professor Moses Galukande, staff from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) were recognised for their contribution to the health sector in Uganda and beyond. The recognition was at the 6th edition of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) held on 14th November 2025 during the Africa Health Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Kampala.

Professors Kamya, Sewankambo and Serwadda won the Excellence in Health Academia Award. The award is in recognition of their outstanding contribution to advancing health policy, practice and innovation through teaching, research and mentorship. HIHA organisers noted that the legacy of the three professors inspires the next generation of health leaders.

In comments from staff at MakCHS the professors are summed up as, ‘senior colleagues, teachers, and mentors for the lifelong dedication to strengthening health systems, advancing ground-breaking research shaping national policy, and training generations of public health leaders. Their work has elevated not only Makerere University, but the entire health sector in Uganda and beyond’.

Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Dr. Diana Atwine with Professors Moses Galukande (Left), Nelson Sewankambo (3rd Left), David Serwadda (2nd Right) and another official. Staff from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) recognised for their contribution to the health sector in Uganda and beyond during 6th edition of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) held 14th November 2025 during the Africa Health Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Dr. Diana Atwine with Professors Moses Galukande (Left), Nelson Sewankambo (3rd Left), David Serwadda (2nd Right) and another official.

Professor Moses Galukande received the Minister’s Special Recognition Award for his outstanding service and dedication to advancing health outcomes and innovation.

HIHA is an annual public-private partnership initiative launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Health in Uganda with support from Xtraordinary Media. It is a public choice award where members of the public nominate and vote for individuals, organizations, and programs making outstanding contributions to the health sector. The awards aim to recognize and celebrate unsung heroes across Uganda, including frontline health workers, innovators, researchers, policymakers, students, and community health champions. “Strengthening Health Systems, Empowering Communities through Self-Care and Sustainable Solutions,” emphasizing the importance of community engagement, innovation, and resilience in healthcare delivery was the theme for HIHA 2025.

Zaam Ssali
Zaam Ssali

Continue Reading

Health

MakSPH, MOH and JMS Lead National Efforts to Build a Resilient Health Supply Chain

Published

on

Participants in the stakeholder consultative workshop convened by MakSPH to guide the research component of the initiative on Monday, 10 November, at Kabira Country Club. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Kampala, 11 November 2025 —Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) have launched a project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain. Backed by the Gates Foundation, it aims to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience.

The intervention began on Thursday, 6 November, with the flag-off of emergency distribution of medicines and health supplies at JMS in Nsambya. Under a sub-award from MakSPH, JMS is leading warehousing, distribution, redistribution of essential commodities, reverse logistics, and technical support to health facilities, including digital training for over 1,100 facilities in the Integrated Online Ordering System. The operation aims to deliver USAID-supplied medicines that had remained in storage since donor support was suspended earlier this year, preventing expiry and restoring last-mile delivery across the country.

Building on this, MakSPH convened a stakeholder consultative workshop on Monday, 10 November, at Kabira Country Club to guide the research component of the initiative. Officials from the Ministry of Health, development partners, and health logistics experts reviewed the scope of a new study on strategic analytics to strengthen a sustainable and resilient health supply chain. The consultation focused on refining research questions to ensure alignment with national priorities and stakeholder needs.

Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management (HPPM), stressed the need for practical, evidence-based collaboration.

“Our commitment is to make sure that whatever evidence we generate is useful. We want perspectives on governance, implementation, and the frontline, because when the supply chain isn’t functioning, a lot goes wrong,” said Prof. Kiwanuka.

Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management (HPPM), speaking at the inaugural consultative meeting with stakeholders at Kabira Country Club on Monday, November 10, 2025. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management (HPPM), speaking at the inaugural consultative meeting with stakeholders at Kabira Country Club on Monday, November 10, 2025.

The Ministry of Health has welcomed ongoing support from partners to stabilise the supply chain.

“I want to draw attention back to our 10-year health supply chain roadmap. Despite disruptions, we made important milestones in the first five years, and with support from Makerere University School of Public Health and the Gates Foundation, we are now focused on understanding challenges and building a resilient, sustainable supply chain,” said Dr. Ajulong Martha Grace, Assistant Commissioner, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and Logistics.

Dr. Ajulong Martha Grace, Assistant Commissioner, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and Logistics submitting during the meeting. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Ajulong Martha Grace, Assistant Commissioner, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and Logistics submitting during the meeting.

Over the past decade, Uganda’s health supply chain has made steady progress under the 10-Year Roadmap for Health Supply Chain Self-Reliance (2021/22–2031/32), which sets out a vision for a self-reliant, efficient, and transparent system that ensures uninterrupted access to essential medicines. Efforts have focused on increasing financing, digitising logistics, strengthening local manufacturing, and expanding infrastructure.

Despite these gains, the system remains vulnerable. Limited financing, capacity gaps at subnational levels, and poor commodity reporting have contributed to stockouts and wastage. Heavy reliance on donor support, compounded with back-to-back shocks, has left Uganda’s health system exposed to shocks, such as the recent suspension of USAID support, which disrupted last-mile delivery to over 530 private not-for-profit health facilities.

Official flag off, Dr. Bildard Baguma, Executive Director of Joint Medical Store, Ms. Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at Ministry of Health and Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health and Principal Investigator of the Project at JMS offices in Nsambya last week. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Official flag off, Dr. Bildard Baguma, Executive Director of Joint Medical Store, Ms. Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at Ministry of Health and Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health and Principal Investigator of the Project at JMS offices in Nsambya last week.

Commodities worth more than UGX 79 billion have remained in storage, risking expiry and could potentially reverse service delivery gains. The Gates Foundation’s support comes at a critical moment to stabilise last-mile distribution while generating analytics to address deeper structural challenges.

“Before these financial disruptions, our public sector supply chain was already under intense pressure to meet rising last-mile demands. The current challenges are a critical opportunity to address long-standing bottlenecks, improve delivery of essential medicines, strengthen real-time monitoring, and build a more sustainable health system in Uganda,” said Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist.

Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist speaking at the consultative meeting. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist speaking at the consultative meeting.

MakSPH, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, will carry out Strategic Systems Analytics to strengthen Uganda’s supply chain. The research will examine financing gaps, fiscal space, operational inefficiencies, and performance at the subnational and last-mile levels.  This co-created evidence generation will also identify opportunities for sustainable financing and efficiency gains to reduce reliance on external aid and to guide reforms that ensure that essential medicines and products remain accessible to all Ugandans.

L-R: The project team, Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist, Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at the Ministry, and Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka share notes shortly after the consultative meeting at Kabira Country Club, Kampala. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
L-R: The project team, Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist, Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at the Ministry, and Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka share notes shortly after the consultative meeting at Kabira Country Club, Kampala.

This work is spearheaded by Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, as the Principal Investigator, and Associate Professor Suzanne Kiwanuka, the Co-Principal Investigator/Research Technical Lead on the Makerere University side. Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, is the focal person on a five-member steering committee overseeing the implementation. The team includes Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at the Ministry, and Mr. Timothy Musila.

View on MakSPH

Davidson Ndyabahika

Continue Reading

Health

JASH2025 wraps with the 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture and Kampala Declaration Statement

Published

on

Panelists moderated by ED IDI-Dr. Andrew Kambugu (Left) reflect on Dr. Lukwiya's legacy during the 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture on 7th November 2025. Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture, Kampala Declaration Statement and Closing Ceremony 5th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health Conference (JASH) and Inaugural National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Conference (NACNDC) held at Speke Resort Munyonyo ended on Friday 7th November, 2025 with the 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture and a Kampala Declaration Statement.

The joint conference that began on 3rd November, 2025 themed, ‘Unified Action Against Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases’ was organised by Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and Ministry of Health (MoH). The meeting brought together representatives from Central Government, Ministry of Health, academia, civil society, local governments, private sector, development partners, professional associations, local governments and communities.

Kampala Declaration Statement

Dr. David Musoke, Assoc. Professor at MakSPH who was Co-Chair of the Organising Committee delivered the Kampala Declaration which defined the priorities/commitments of the delegates from the dialogue at the conference.

The declaration highlighted the background of setting the priorities as thus: 1. Uganda’s dual disease burden from communicable diseases (CDs) alongside the growing rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 2. The biological, social and clinical intersections between CDs and NCDs, which compete for limited resources. 3. Threats posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate-sensitive diseases, zoonotic spillovers, and emergency outbreaks such as Ebola, COVID-19, and Marburg. 4. Uganda’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the International Health Regulations (IHR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). 5. The integration of health services at facility level continues to face challenges due to high patient-to-health worker ratios and inadequate infrastructure, which impede the delivery of comprehensive, timely, and quality healthcare services;

Emphasizing the need to involve all stakeholders—including from education, agriculture, environment, engineering, urban planning, gender, as well as community and religious leaders, and others—in the fight against communicable and non-communicable diseases; 6. The persistent challenges in access to healthcare across the country due to delays in diagnosis and treatment-seeking, and emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen early detection, ensure timely access to quality healthcare, and enhance community awareness about prompt medical attention; 7. Protection and promotion of human rights are fundamental to ensuring health, dignity, and well-being for all citizens, as these rights form the  foundation of equitable access to quality healthcare services; 8. The global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), now causing an estimated 700,000 deaths annually, and recognizing its strong link to self-medication, poor diagnostic capacity, and weak public health interventions; 9. Health policies and investments have focused more on curative than preventive care, underscoring the need to reinstate a strong prevention-oriented approach; 10. Many Ugandans remain inadequately informed about health issues affecting them and their role in promoting health within their communities; 11. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and lifestyle changes are significantly contributing to the rising burden of NCDs;

The Kampala Declaration was presented as a shared call to action, a platform for sustained collaboration, and a blueprint for strengthening integrated and equitable health systems. The declaration is premised on the following priorities:

  • Multisectoral Collaboration and One Health Approach: Affirmation of the requirement for involvement of the whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to accelerate disease prevention, health promotion, and self-care through evidence-based awareness.
  • Integrated, People-Centered Disease Prevention and Care: The urgent need to focus on people, not diseases, using a life-course approach and strengthening integrated service delivery across CDs and NCDs at all levels.
  • Strengthened Data, Research, and Policy Translation: Recognition of the importance of timely, interoperable, and disaggregated data to inform policy, financing, and implementation decisions. In addition, commit to collaboration between academic institutions, policymakers, CSOs, and community influencers to bridge the gap between research and practice.
  • Financing: Commit to advocate for increased domestic financing to progressively reduce dependence on external aid, ensuring predictable and sustainable resources for integrated disease prevention and care. Promote efficiency and accountability in health spending by strengthening budget tracking, performance-based financing, and public financial management systems. Support innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, social health insurance, and community-based financing schemes to expand coverage and affordability.

Specific calls were directed to the various stakeholders respective to their mandates and roles.

Government of Uganda and the Ministry of Health: To accelerate implementation of integrated strategic plans for CDs, NCDs, and epidemic preparedness under a unified health systems approach; Institutionalize NACNDC–JASH as the official Annual Integrated National Health platform for disease dialogue and innovation, co-led by the Ministry of Health and academia; Mobilize domestic and international financing to strengthen primary healthcare, laboratory networks, and community systems; Enforce laws and policies aimed at preventing and controlling substance abuse nationwide.

Academia: Generate policy-relevant evidence and drive innovation in diagnostics, surveillance, and culturally appropriate care; Establish multidisciplinary working groups to connect research, clinical practice, and policy; Train health professionals in integrated, competency-based, and future-ready approaches; Create innovation hubs and partnerships linking academia, communities, and industry to co-develop scalable, people-centred solutions; Leverage technology and innovation to effectively address CDs and NCDs; and Prioritize locally led research focused on Uganda’s health realities, including NCDs, CDs, mental health, and climate-linked risks.

Development Partners and Donors: Align technical and financial support with Uganda’s integrated disease control priorities; Support the development of a national research agenda driven by local health needs; Strengthen health system resilience, digital transformation, and community-led interventions; and promote regional knowledge sharing, South-South collaboration, and local manufacturing of diagnostics and medicines.

 Private Sector and Civil Society: Engage in public-private partnerships to expand access to diagnostics, care, and innovation; Champion community-responsive models for disease prevention; rehabilitation, and continuity of care; Strengthen advocacy, accountability, and public education through multimedia and grassroots platforms; Raise public awareness on mental health, sickle cell disease, asthma, and diabetes, integrating these services into primary care and reducing stigma and discrimination.

In view of the background, priorities and expected action from the stakeholders as highlighted above, the declaration also endorsed the development and dissemination of: a National Integrated Disease Control Strategy, informed by best practices and policy dialogues from this conference; a Multisectoral Action Framework guiding collaboration among health, education, agriculture, environment, and finance sectors; A Monitoring Mechanism to track implementation and institutionalize annual

reporting on disease integration; and the continuation of joint annual NACNDC and JASH conferences to sustain momentum.

Setting the Pace

Through the conference, keynote speakers delivered addresses which set pace for the dialogue by participants at the conference.

Dr. Queen Dube, Lead – Newborn Programme Implementation, Policies and Standards at the World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva and Co-Chair of Every Woman, Every Newborn (EWENE) Country Implementation Group highlighted the reasons for rising disease burden of NCDs across sub-Saharan Africa including industrialization and urbanization; shifting dietary patterns; improved means of transport and communication which converts to less movement.

Dr. Dube noted that, the poorer one is, the higher the risk of one dying due to an illness either through communicable or non-communicable diseases. She stressed the importance for a unified action against diseases as opposed to fragmentations or silos by different working groups of various diseases. Duplication of efforts spreads thin the available resources, yet more efficiency and effectiveness could be enjoyed, she added.

Her call for action was, ‘health is interconnected, our response must be to; collaboration saves lives; and together, we can build a healthier, more resilent world’.

Prof. Francis Omaswa delivers the keynote address. Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture, Kampala Declaration Statement and Closing Ceremony 5th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Francis Omaswa delivers the keynote address.

Delivering his keynote speech on the final day of the conference, Prof. Francis Omaswa, Founder and Director – African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST) reminded the delegates that, ‘it is up-to us to achieve our goals provided we commit to do what is expected of us in the best possible way’.

He questioned why Africa continues to lag behind in the global health indices considering the professionals present on the continent. ‘Inclusiveness, equity and working together is the way forward’, he advised.

Prof. Omaswa reminded the delegates that Uganda in particular achieved in areas like HIV/AIDS control, therefore the means we used then must be employed in fighting communicable and non-communicable diseases. He heighted that, some of the means included leadership at all levels, working together, for monitoring and reporting, engagement of youth through the means they respond to among others.

Prof. Francis Omaswa (2nd Right) with panelists that discussed his keynote address. Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture, Kampala Declaration Statement and Closing Ceremony 5th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Francis Omaswa (2nd Right) with panelists that discussed his keynote address.

‘Let no one go to sleep, each one of us is a leader at our levels of responsibility and we must make sure that there is coordination and supportive supervision within the health system’, Prof. Omaswa reiterated.

In his keynote speech, Dr. David Serwadda, a Professor in the Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health at MakSPH reminded researchers and academia the importance of their work to disease prevention and control. He stressed that the link between research and implementation is critical for a unified action, and there bridging the gap must be intentional.

Prof. David Serwadda delivers his keynote address on "Health Systems Resilience Amidst Global Funding Cuts: What African Countries Must Do". Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 6th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. David Serwadda delivers his keynote address on “Health Systems Resilience Amidst Global Funding Cuts: What African Countries Must Do”.

23rd Dr. Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture

Dr. Matthew Lukwiya is remembered for his leadership and selflessness as a Ugandan physician at the forefront during the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Uganda in 2000 until de succumbed to the disease. He was the supervisor at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, outside Gulu City, Uganda; Gulu district was an epicentre of the disease at the time.

As has been the case at the previous JASH conferences, the 23rd edition of the Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture was held on the final day of the conference, themed, “Identified Critical Gaps in the Response to Outbreaks”.

The session convened leading scientists, policymakers, community and health professionals to reflect on lessons learnt from past epidemics and chart strategies for stronger preparedness, response and resilience across the health system.

The Way forward

At the end of the meeting, delegates were advised that information from the meeting will be shared through a link on the MakSPH website and abstracts will be published as well.

Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean-MakSPH who also represented Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal-MakCHS thanked all participants for attending the dual conference and willingness to share information in support of integrating to improve Uganda’ Health System. She also thanked the organising committee and partners for the support leading to a successful conference.

‘What is it that touched you at this conference, what are the takeaways and I implore you to reflect on the discussions and create a change. This is not business as usual and let us make change.’, the Dean said.

Prof. Wanyenze handed the baton to the School of Medicine who will work with the MoH in organising the conference in 2026.

Closing by the Permanent Secretary

PS-MoH, Dr. Diana Atwine. Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture, Kampala Declaration Statement and Closing Ceremony 5th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
PS-MoH, Dr. Diana Atwine.

The conference was officially closed by Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary-MoH. She highlighted five points for all of us to remember as takeaway from the dialogue.

  • All of us should innovate solutions for the challenges before us including innovative leadership. Uganda’s population growth remains high and the resources are not growing at same rate therefore challenges will continue to arise therefore innovation is necessary.
  • Inculcate a culture and mindset change and remember health change begins with each of us.
  • Integrate not verticalization because it is the right thing to do, leads to efficiency and gives results.
  • As government continues to explore means of resource mobilisation, smart investments in high impact activities and priorities are critical.
  • Call upon all of us, to implement the resolutions reached.

She thanked all stakeholders for the contributions made towards success of the conference.

Zaam Ssali
Zaam Ssali

Continue Reading

Trending