Veterinary & Biosecurity
WHO in an appraisal Visit to CoVAB
The World Health Organisation Regional Experts Advisory Committee on Traditional Medicine for Covid-19 Response on Monday 7th March 2022 visited the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security (CoVAB) to take stock of the developments in clinical trials and other efforts in the development of drugs and vaccines to address COVID 19.
The team that made a guided tour of the facilities and activities undertaken in the Centre for Bio Security and Global Health (CeBIGH) was also briefed about a number of ongoing studies.
The Head of the delegation of the WHO/REACT mission Prof. Joseph Okeibunor said the team of regional experts was at the college to take a look at the infrastructure in place, document the successes so far realised in the clinical efforts, identify gaps and to make recommendations for further support towards the ongoing efforts.
He said the visiting team would identify areas of support towards the acceleration of the processes of the development of traditional medicine to address COVID- 19.
Prof. Joseph Okeibunor was happy to note that there were already a number of successful interventions in the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of COVID 19, citing the example of the remedy in Madagascar and that the mission of the world Health organization at COVAB was to take stock of what was happening in regard to the processing of Traditional Medicine in order to ensure standardization and proper packaging to levels that were internationally satisfactory.
He said their mission in the college was to make a rapid appraisal of the available capacities in regard to internationally set standards and also come up with a plan to provide technical support in raising the national capacity in the development of Traditional medicine.
While welcoming the team to the College, Prof. Norbert Frank Mwiine, the Principal CoVAB said Makerere University was celebrating 100 years of its existence and that this period was characterized by lots of research output in the region and globally. He said Uganda and Africa in general was naturally endowed and that in the past parents and grandparents used traditional medicine for various ailments including treatment of cattle. He urged researchers to take on the duty of identifying such knowledge and information the way it was passed on to the present generation.
He said the College had for the past sixteen years been involved in research with a number of successful outcomes as evidenced in Covidex, a product by Professor Ogwang, who was one of the beneficiaries of the programs offered at the College. He said the President of the republic of Uganda gave a go ahead to such products in order to increase the care for the people infected with COVID 19, amidst the limited number of vaccinated people and that the College was proud to be associated with the success realised.
‘In western Uganda where I grew up, I learnt how to treat animals using traditional medicine, he said adding that the ongoing research at the College is embracing ethnobotany and not purely western medicines.
The representative form the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation said as a Ministry, they were proud of CoVAB and that researchers at the College were some of the initial Scientists the Ministry worked with in the establishment of central laboratory facilities and drug development. She commended the contribution made by Prof. John David Kabasa as Principal Investigator who was instrumental in the implementation of this Presidential Initiative since the year 2020 that helped in nurturing the pathogen economy. ‘We needed central facilities because many institutions were not in position to set up such initiatives’ she said. She noted that the Scientists were ready for the clinical trials as well as animal trials despite the gaps identified. She said the ministry set up a number of teams of innovators some in the academia while others were out there in the communities.
In order to appreciate the positioning of traditional medicine in the College, a presentation was made about the central Laboratory Animal Research Facility (CLARF). It was explained that the process was on to establish a state of the Art animal house to include both large and small experimental animals at CoVAB for production, testing and diagnosis therapeutics.
The goal was to commercially produce biological molecules for diagnosis, treatment and control of infectious diseases as well as breed and sell lab animal services
Prof. Enoch Matovu further illustrated a number of ongoing research projects in the Centre for Bio Security and Global Health, a centre focused on strategic research. These included the Anti-Tick Vaccine development project, the Safe fish project, COVID 19 Elisa surveillance and the COVID 19 Sub Unit Vaccine among many others.
The WHO team among others comprised of Ossy M.J Kasilo, Regional Advisor for Traditional Medicine from Brazaville Congo, Prof Motlalepulan G. Matsabisa from University of Free State, South Africa.
The Visit by the team from WHO follows a number of earlier processes that started off with the Office of the President’s decision to drive 8 industrial value chains that were prioritised for development one of which was the pathogen economy or pathogen Industrial chains. One of the components of these industrial chains was in the natural products or herbal industry under the stewardship of Prof. John David Kabasa.
CoVAB was identified as a major stakeholder in the natural products Industry in Uganda and Africa. It hosted and coordinated the development of African natural herbal products, research and training network which involved a number of countries in east Africa including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. To date, The network has trained over 20 PhDs and 38 MSC Scientists.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Alumni of Molecular Biology Honor Prof. George William Lubega for Outstanding Contributions
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Uganda Advances Bacteriophage Research in Fight against Antimicrobial Resistance
Makerere University convened a symposium to explore bacteriophage applications in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and addressing health, agricultural, and environmental challenges. Organized by The Alliance for Phage Research and Development Uganda Ltd (PhageTeam Uganda), the event brought together researchers from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Kampala International University, and Ian Clarke International University, and other players, highlighting a collaborative approach to tackling global and local issues.
Day two of the symposium saw researchers and policy makers together with partners from the UK and USA hold a discourse on the best way forward in the promotion of bacteriophage research and production in the country to support efforts against anti-microbial resistance.
Speaking at the event held at Hilton Garden Inn, Dr. Jesca Nakavuma, the lead phage researcher from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Makerere University, stressed the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial agents due to the rise in drug resistance and limited discovery of new antibiotics. Bacteriophages, natural viruses that target bacteria, she said, were identified as a promising solution to revolutionize disease control, treatment, and food security. She said research in this area was key because humankind was at risk of the impending calamity of life-threatening treatment failure.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Makerere University‘s Director for Research, Innovations, and Partnerships, who spoke on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the importance of building local capacity in phage research. He noted that such efforts could enhance Uganda’s resilience against AMR and yield homegrown solutions for human, animal, and crop health.
As the world grapples with the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bacteriophage research offers a promising alternative. Phages, which are natural enemies of bacteria, have the potential to revolutionize the approach to treatment, disease control, and food security, he noted. He said building local expertise in phage application can enhance Uganda’s resilience against AMR and produce sustainable homegrown solutions to health and environmental challenges.
Prof. Robert Wamala said Makerere University was committed to supporting cutting-edge research and innovation that addresses national and global challenges in line with the university’s role in knowledge generation, technology advancement, and policy influence. The importance of regulatory institutions, he said, cannot be overemphasized in this endeavor, since they enforce compliance, uphold ethical standards, and foster an enabling environment for impactful research and innovation. He said the engagement presented an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between researchers, institutions, and regulatory bodies to ensure that the outcomes are scientifically sound and are aligned to the national development priorities and global best practices.
Dr. Claire M. Mugasa, the Dean of the School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS), CoVAB reiterated the fact that antimicrobial resistance was on the rise in Uganda and Africa, more than elsewhere in the world. She said it was time now that efforts be intensified in looking for sustainable options to curb the dangerous trends. She said this cuts across the human and the animals. She said it was an opportune time for players to come together to find ways of getting the required alternative. She said by coming together, the different ideas developed individually would in a concerted effort, pulling resources together for a way forward.
During the discourse, several subjects were addressed, including an introduction to antimicrobial resistance, phage biology, phage application, and lessons learnt from the establishment of a phage research centre in the UK, which was presented by Prof. Martha Clokie from the University of Leicester. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and regulatory compliance, positioning Uganda as a leader in sustainable solutions for global challenges.
The symposium was sponsored by Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF), through a grant to the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in partnership with Phages for Global Health.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
First Symposium on Bacteriophage Research & Applications in Uganda Highlights Remarkable Milestones & Future Prospects
Bacteriophage research and its applications were the focal point of the 1st Symposium on Bacteriophage Research and Applications, convened by Makerere University‘s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) on Thursday, March 27, 2025. This landmark event showcased Uganda’s strides in harnessing bacteriophages as innovative solutions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and other pressing health and agricultural challenges.
Key speakers included Dr. Jesca Nakavuma, CoVAB (Makerere University), who showcased Uganda’s pioneering phage research initiatives and vision. Tobi Elaine Nagel, the President of Phages for Global Health (USA), discussed the global significance of phage research. Prof. Martha Clokie, from the University of Leicester’s Centre for Phage Research (UK), shared insights into the latest advancements in phage therapy. Dr. Robert Blasdel, representing VASALE (Belgium), presented innovative solutions using bacteriophages. Ms. Abigail Riggs, from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), emphasized international partnerships and policy development.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Edward Wamala, Makerere University’s Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships, who represented the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the event, highlighted the critical role of bacteriophage research in addressing the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). He explained how the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human health, agriculture, and aquaculture have accelerated the emergence of drug-resistant bacterial strains, rendering standard treatments ineffective. Citing statistics from the World Health Organization, he pointed out that AMR claims over 1.3 million lives annually, a number expected to rise without urgent action. He lamented the stagnation of new antibiotic development due to high research costs and rapid bacterial resistance, making bacteriophage therapy a powerful and promising alternative.
Prof. Wamala expressed Makerere University’s commitment to advancing research that addresses critical societal challenges, aligning with its mission of generating transformative knowledge and fostering sustainable development. He emphasized Uganda’s potential to lead in bacteriophage research, driven by multi-disciplinary partnerships and capacity building. He also highlighted ongoing studies into aquaculture-specific bacteriophages at CoVAB as an example of how phage technology can revolutionize sectors like agriculture while addressing AMR. Through such efforts, the university aims to position Uganda as a global leader in innovative solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance and enhance public health.
Dr. Jesca Nakavuma, widely regarded as the mother of phages in Uganda, delivered a compelling presentation at the Symposium, where she detailed the impressive progress of phage research in Uganda since its inception in 2017. She highlighted Makerere University’s pioneering efforts, starting with a cohort of five undergraduate students, which have since expanded into groundbreaking research addressing challenges in agriculture, clinical health, food safety, and environmental safety. Key achievements include advancements in E. coli and Salmonella detection, tackling avian colibacillosis, and innovations in decontamination methods, underscoring the transformative potential of phage technology in combating antimicrobial resistance and enhancing public health.
The symposium honored collaborative efforts, including the establishment and accomplishments of Phage Team Uganda, which developed a repository of 125 characterized phage isolates and trained over 20 PhDs, MScs, and BSc students. Partnerships with international organizations such as IDRC InnoVet AMR and AU Safe Fish have significantly contributed to advancements in antimicrobial resistance and aquaculture.
Despite these achievements, Dr. Nakavuma noted challenges such as insufficient facilities for large-scale phage production, regulatory limitations, and financial constraints. She affirmed that despite the challenges, the team remained ambitious, envisioning the creation of a fully equipped Phage Research and Development Center, the commercialization of phage products, and the establishment of policy frameworks to support the use of phages in Uganda.
The Deputy Principal of CoVAB, Prof. James Acai Okwee, warmly welcomed the partners to the conference and acknowledged their invaluable contributions to the college’s research efforts. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving innovation and achieving impactful results, highlighting the pivotal role that partnerships play in fostering academic and scientific growth. Prof. Okwee’s remarks set an encouraging tone for the conference, reinforcing the college’s commitment to advancing research initiatives and creating opportunities for shared learning and development.
The event that attracted the participation of various stakeholders including academia, civil society, and policy makers, concluded with acknowledgments of the efforts of Phage Team Uganda, collaborators, and funders, setting the stage for an exciting future in Uganda’s journey to combat antimicrobial resistance and ensure food and environmental safety.
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