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Assoc. Prof. Lawrence Mugisha hailed for spearheading Animal Ethics in Research & Teaching

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Assoc. Prof. Lawrence Mugisha from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security (CoVAB) has been commended for taking a lead role in the development of the National Guidelines for use of animals in research and teaching and the establishment of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

This was during a workshop held at CoVAB on 9th March 2022 to launch accreditation process of the School of Veterinary and Animal Resources (SVAR) Institutional Animal Care and use Committee (SVAR IACUC).

Associate Prof Lawrence Mugisha who is the current Chairperson of the Institutional Animal care and use committee (IACUC) said the process of establishing the committee started in 2017 and that the guidelines provided that for it to be accredited, it must have a fully constituted and trained membership, with a well-established secretariat in a functional office run by a full time administrator.

Associate Prof Lawrence Mugisha.

He said the purpose of the forum was to review the present form of the Institutional Animal care and use committee (IACUC), the standard operating procedures (SOPS) in preparation for accreditation that was due in April 2022.

While giving reference to the Animal Cruelty Act 1957, which was operating without guidelines, Prof. Mugisha noted that these were established to promote the welfare of animals and promote proper use of animals in research and teaching. “Our national regulation for use of animal in research and teaching is in line with several international regulations and guidelines. For example, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), The Council for International Organisation for Medical Sciences (CIOMS) and The International Council Laboratory Animal Sciences (ICLAS)  which states that animals should be used only when necessary and only when their use is scientifically and ethically justified.

He said the principles of the 3Rs-Replacement, Reduction and Refinement should be incorporated into the design and conduct of scientific and or educational activities that involve animals. In addition, animals selected for the research should be suitable for the purpose and of an appropriate species and genetic background to ensure scientific validity and reproducibility, he explained.

Prof. Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration

The Vice Chancellor Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who was represented at the event by Prof. Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration congratulated CoVAB for the initiative. He said as a research led University, it was imperative that the guidelines were in place and called upon the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology to regularly make consultations with Makerere University bearing on its mantra of being research centred.   He commended the leadership of CoVAB for making good use of the MAK RIF funds part of which supported the process through the study entitled; Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Ethical conduct of Research involving Animals (ICEcoRIA).

The Assistant Executive Secretary, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) Ms. Hellen Opolot has hailed Prof. Mugisha who as the Chairperson was instrumental in leading a multidisciplinary group of members to design The National Guidelines for Use of Animals in research and teaching.  She said the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) launched the guidelines on the 16th of September 2021, an  event presided over by the Minister Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.  She said the guidelines now provide a framework for scientists, institutional animal care and use Committees, facility managers, sponsors, funders ,teaching institutions and animal care staff to consider while planning to use animals in research and teaching’ explained Miss Opolot of  UNCST.

Ms. Hellen Opolot Assistant Executive Secretary, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.

For national regulatory oversight in the use of animals in research and teaching, Miss Opolot   noted that UNCST has powers to accredit specialized committees and research councils and that section 3 of The National Guidelines for Use of Animals in research and teaching Act stipulates that IACUCs are established by institutions owning and caring for animals used for purposes of research and teaching.   She highlighted the key requirements for the establishment of IACUCs that included appointment of the IACUC members and IACUC administrator by the head of the institution or his/her designee. Other requirements include well established operational offices and board meeting space, well written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and assurance of financing mechanism for the committee.

Prof. Norbert Frank Mwiine the College Principal extended his appreciation to Uganda National Council for Science and Technology for partnering with Makerere University to promote quality research and animal use. He equally thanked Prof Mugisha for his leadership in research and the promotion of animal ethics nationally and internationally.  He highlighted the importance of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and established National guidelines in promoting the quality research and harmonized animal use in line with international standards.

Prof. Frank Mwiine Principal COVAB

He implored staff in the college to acquit themselves with provisions of the guidelines and operations of the IACUC in order to follow the due process of protocol to obtain all approvals required to undertake research using animals.   He pledged commitment towards supporting the operations of committee in the college and the university as a whole.

Prof. Robert Tweyongyere, Dean of School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR) stressed the importance of regulation in the use of animals in research and teaching adding that the guidelines were necessary and timely for practice purposes. “I would like  to  thank Uganda National Council for Science and Technology for  embracing the idea of having an animal  research and teaching committee and taking it forward to national level’.  Prof.  Tweyongyere  commended the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) for funding animal research and teaching at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources.

The Workshop attracted over 30 participants from government institutions, academia and regulatory agencies among others. The guidelines for animal research and teaching can be accessed on   www.uncst.org

Written by Harriet Musinguzi and Odoi Joseph.

Harriet Musinguzi

Veterinary & Biosecurity

Tracking Trails Project Launched at Makerere University to Study Free-Roaming Dogs and Disease Spread across Five Nations

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Participants pose for a group photo at the Tracking Tails project launch workshop on 16th October 2025. Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurates Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies, with expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. 16th October 2025, Fairway Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

In a groundbreaking advancement for zoonotic disease research, Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurated the Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies.

This endeavor brings together expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. It integrates epidemiology, ecology, veterinary medicine, genomics, and socio-cultural anthropology, forging a transdisciplinary approach to health that is as inclusive as it is innovative.

The project under the department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health at CoVAB was officially launched at Fairway Hotel in in Kampala on October 16th 2025, at a ceremony attended by a consortium of national and international collaborators.

Dr. Terrence Odoch, CoVAB, Co-PI, Makerere University, and Dr. Salome Dürr of the University of Bern, the Principal Investigator, gave a brief about the project. Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurates Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies, with expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. 16th October 2025, Fairway Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Terrence Odoch, CoVAB, Co-PI, Makerere University, and Dr. Salome Dürr of the University of Bern, the Principal Investigator, gave a brief about the project.

Dr. Salome Dürr of the University of Bern, the principal investigator, underscored the imperative of comprehending canine mobility not solely through the prism of rabies, but as a broader vector of zoonotic pathogen transmission. “Our inquiry transcends mere rabies surveillance, we intend to interrogate the health ramifications of canine movement,” she said.

Uganda as the Initial Epicenter

Uganda has been strategically designated as the inaugural locus for implementation, owing to its heterogeneous demographic fabric, divided into urban and rural ecosystems, alongside its ongoing national rabies eradication agenda. Research operations will span five districts of Kyegegwa, Masaka, Arua, Soroti, and Kampala, each offering varied ecological and socio-cultural matrices.

Dr. Terence Odoch, the Co – Principal Investigator from CoVAB Makerere University, emphasized the twofold imperative of generating actionable scientific evidence while concurrently cultivating academic capacity through the active inclusion of postgraduate cohorts.

Prof. James Acai Okwee (C) officiates at the launch of the project. Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurates Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies, with expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. 16th October 2025, Fairway Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. James Acai Okwee (C) officiates at the launch of the project.

 He said what distinguishes the Tracking Trails project is its integrative methodological representation that includes GPS telemetry, behavioral ecology, socio-cultural ethnography, and genomic analysis converge to address critical interrogatives, he said while giving a brief about the project.  Why do dogs roam? In what ways are they embedded within human ecologies? Which movement vectors potentiate pathogen propagation? Interventions, he noted, must be established upon the understanding of these dynamics, rather than simplistic vaccination paradigms.

Contextual Complexity across Continents

A section of the implementers from the Districts who attended the launch and will play key roles. Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurates Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies, with expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. 16th October 2025, Fairway Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A section of the implementers from the Districts who attended the launch and will play key roles.

During the launch, the different implementing countries made brief report about the status of their intended interventions and the prevailing circumstances.  It was reported that in Chad, nomadic pastoralism renders canine mobility both indispensable and problematic. Professor Fayiz Abakar emphasized that prior vaccination efforts in N’Djamena achieved epidemiologically significant coverage only when rendered cost-free, underscoring the primacy of accessibility and public engagement.

For India, one of the implementing countries, it was reported that this was a home to an estimated 60 million canines, struggling with a paradoxical cultural disposition that is also spiritual in nature coupled with neglect and abandonment. Dr. Harish Tiwari delineated contrasting rural-urban movement ecologies, revealing expanded urban ranges and increased aggression post-COVID.

Some of the researchers that include PhD and Post Doc fellows taking part in the project were at the launch. Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurates Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies, with expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. 16th October 2025, Fairway Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the researchers that include PhD and Post Doc fellows taking part in the project were at the launch.

For the case of Indonesia, the situation of free roaming dogs was no any better given the socio-religiously complex set up and the endemic rabies in 26 provinces. Dr. Ewaldus Wera described distinctive behavioral adaptations in rural versus urban dogs across Flores, Lombok, and West Timor. Underscoring logistical impediments to surveillance in topographically inaccessible locales.

Rabies as a Persistent Global Threat

During the launch, officiated by CoVAB’s Deputy Principal Prof. James Acai Okwee on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe , it was explained that rabies continues to pose a formidable public health threat, remaining a virulent zoonosis with a near-100% case fatality rate once clinical symptoms appear , despite being entirely preventable through timely prophylaxis.

Local and international students react to issues raised after they presented their research concepts during the Launch seminar. Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurates Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies, with expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. 16th October 2025, Fairway Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Local and international students react to issues raised after they presented their research concepts during the Launch seminar.

Dr. Alfred Wejuli of Uganda’s Ministry of Health emphasized the urgent need for intersectoral collaboration under the One Health framework. He underscored that coordinated governance across human, animal, and environmental health sectors is indispensable for sustained disease mitigation and effective rabies control.

By equipping free-roaming dogs with GPS collars, researchers will gain real-time insights into canine movement patterns, enabling the mapping of trajectories, analysis of pack dynamics, home range variability, and interactions with human environments.

Academic and Institutional Capacity Building

Beyond empirical inquiry, the initiative is an incubator for emerging scholars. Makerere University and its partner institutions have embedded postgraduate training into the project’s architecture, equipping students with competencies in cross-disciplinary fieldwork, laboratory diagnostics, and community-based research.

Global Solidarity and Forward Trajectory

CoVAB’s Dr. Sam Okech moderated the sessions at the launch seminar. Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurates Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies, with expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. 16th October 2025, Fairway Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
CoVAB’s Dr. Sam Okech moderated the sessions at the launch seminar.

Notwithstanding anticipated challenges ranging from logistical constraints in remote terrains to sociocultural sensitivities, the Tracking Trails project offers an unprecedented confluence of innovation, collaboration, and public health utility. As it scales across Africa and Asia, it aspires to generate an empirically grounded, culturally attuned, and ethically informed blueprint for rabies control and canine population management. Dr. Dürr encapsulated the initiative’s ethos: “Rabies transcends borders. Dog mobility defies administrative frontiers. To safeguard both human and animal health, a synergistic, global, and interdisciplinary response is imperative.”

Participants contribute to the discussion. Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) inaugurates Tracking Trails project, an ambitious, transnational research initiative that aims to expose the spatiotemporal dynamics of free-roaming dogs and their epidemiological implications, particularly concerning rabies, with expertise from Uganda, Chad, India, Indonesia, and Switzerland, exemplifying an ideal One Health model. 16th October 2025, Fairway Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Participants contribute to the discussion.

Harriet Musinguzi

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Veterinary & Biosecurity

Sekajja Agro Farms Ltd Seeks Graduate Trainee Partnership with CoVAB

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Dr. Abu Mayanja (L), the Chief Operations Officer, and other SAF staff at the meeting

Sekajja Agro Farms Ltd (SAF), a fully integrated poultry enterprise located in Buyuki Nama Sub-County, Mukono District, has initiated strategic discussions with Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) to establish a Graduate Trainee partnership. This collaboration is designed to bridge the persistent gap between academic instruction and practical industry experience by offering final-year students and recent graduates immersive training across the entire poultry value chain.

At a meeting held at CoVAB, the SAF team, led by Dr. Abu Mayanja, the Chief Operations Officer SAF, and the staff of the Department of Livestock and Industry Resources (LIR), a range of operations where the students would benefit were explained, ranging from feed mill production and hatchery management to broiler farming, outgrower coordination, and abattoir services, providing a rich environment for experiential learning. Dr. Abu said the initiative will not only enhance graduate employability but also foster innovation and research, and build technical capacity in Uganda’s poultry sector, while promoting knowledge exchange and entrepreneurial thinking among young professionals. Dr. Mayanja highlighted the significant human resource gap in Uganda’s poultry industry, noting that most workers acquire skills informally on the job. To address this challenge, the partnership will offer final-year students and recent graduates a six-month comprehensive training program, combining mentorship with hands-on experience across SAF’s integrated poultry operations from feed production and hatchery management to broiler farming and processing.

A section of CoVAB staff who were at the meeting deliberated on the potential partnership
A section of CoVAB staff who were at the meeting deliberated on the potential partnership

Dr. Sylvia Nalubwama, along with other CoVAB staff, emphasized the strategic importance of the proposed Graduate Trainee partnership with Sekajja Agro Farms Ltd (SAF). The team highlighted that the initiative aligns well with Makerere University’s broader mission to provide education that meets societal needs, especially through practical, skills-based training. The two parties agreed to formalize the partnership following the established process, starting at the departmental level through the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR), and concluding with approval of the Memorandum of Understanding by University Management. They also agreed that, due to the urgent workforce gaps in the poultry industry, they would begin immediate engagement and move forward with preliminary activities, including reaching out to interested students and planning the program, even while formalities are still being finalized.

Among some of the terms of the engagement is providing student facilitation, including rent, internet access, and meals, while emphasizing the importance of attitude, adaptability, and willingness to learn. Students will be selected through a merit-based application and interview process. The meeting also spoke of the need for collaboration with BTVET institutions, certification for trainees, and aligning academic programs with industry expectations.

Representatives of the final-year students in attendance expressed keen interest in the Graduate Trainee program and raised pertinent questions regarding remuneration and post-training employment opportunities. In response, representatives from Sekajja Agro Farms Ltd (SAF) acknowledged the importance of financial incentives but emphasized that the true value of the program lies in the unique exposure it offers to the commercial and operational aspects of poultry production. They assured students that the six-month training module is designed to equip them with critical skills, industry insights, and entrepreneurial competencies that are essential for driving growth and innovation within Uganda’s poultry sector.

Harriet Musinguzi

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 CoVAB Prepares Future Educators with One Health Skills to Address Zoonotic and Climate Risks

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Secondary School teachers undergoing training in One Health from 22nd - 25th September 2025, at CEBIGH in CoVAB

On Monday, 22nd September 2025, the Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health (BEP) at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Health and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Makerere University, launched a four-day intensive training program aimed at equipping Uganda’s next generation of educators with foundational knowledge in One Health. This initiative seeks to foster interdisciplinary understanding among future teachers, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing emerging public health challenges.

The initiative, titled “One Health Training of Uganda’s Next Generation of Teachers,” targets selected third-year education students from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University (UCU), and Kabale University, along with newly graduated teachers from across the country. The training is one of the activities of the broader Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA)project, a regional program spanning 12 countries aimed at strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting integrated approaches to health education and practice.

Prof. Clovice Kankya, Head of the BEP Department at CoVAB and Principal Investigator of the COHESA project in Uganda, underscored the transformative impact of the training, describing it as a strategic investment in the nation’s future health resilience. He noted that by equipping educators with foundational knowledge in One Health, Uganda is fostering a sustainable network of informed leaders capable of influencing both formal education systems and grassroots communities. These teachers will not only embed One Health principles into their curricula but also serve as local ambassadors and champions for improved sanitation, climate adaptation, and disease prevention within their communities.

Prof. Clovice Kankya, Head of the BEP Department at CoVAB and Principal Investigator of the COHESA project in Uganda
Prof. Clovice Kankya, Head of the BEP Department at CoVAB and Principal Investigator of the COHESA project in Uganda

“This is more than a training,” Prof. Kankya remarked. “It’s a movement to embed One Health thinking into the social fabric of Uganda, given that educators are trusted voices in society. When they grasp the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, they become powerful catalysts for behavioral change and community-driven action.”

He emphasized the pivotal role of teachers as agents of change, stressing that One Health, a multidisciplinary approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health, is vital for addressing today’s complex health challenges. Despite its growing global relevance, he observed that the concept of One Health remains largely underrepresented in Uganda’s education and public health sectors. This gap, he argued, makes the involvement of teachers especially critical, as they can serve as catalysts for a multiplier effect, extending the reach and impact of One Health principles across both formal education systems and local communities.

A section of the participants engaged in group work during the training
A section of the participants engaged in group work during the training

Prof. Clovice Kankya further highlighted that the ripple effect of empowering teachers will extend beyond schools, reaching homes, villages, and regional networks. In doing so, the initiative aims to build a generation of citizens who are not only aware of health risks but are also equipped to respond collaboratively and sustainably.

The trainees, drawn from diverse teaching disciplines, received instruction in key areas such as an introduction to One Health principles, zoonotic diseases and outbreak investigation, risk communication strategies, community engagement, and exit protocols, among others. Facilitators from AFROHUN and CoVAB were carefully selected for their expertise in outbreak response, strategic communication, and community-based education. The curriculum is enriched with social science perspectives to strengthen community entry approaches and promote culturally sensitive messaging, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to engage effectively with local populations.

Harriet Musinguzi

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