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
Makerere University Hosts Southwest Minzu University Delegation to Explore Academic Collaboration in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
Makerere University on the 23rd July 2026 welcomed a delegation from Southwest Minzu University, China, led by the Vice President, Professor Yang Sheng-Tao, for a high-level meeting focused on academic collaboration and joint capacity development in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. The meeting, presided over by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Sarah Ssali, brought together senior administrators from the College of Veterinary medicine, Animal resources And Bio-security (CoVAB), researchers, and partners from the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) to explore practical pathways for cooperation between the two institutions.
The visit forms part of a growing interest among international partners in the depth of expertise Makerere University has built over decades in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine and related fields. For Southwest Minzu University, a public university with a strong reputation in ethnic and regional studies as well as agricultural and veterinary sciences, the visit represented an opportunity to identify shared research priorities and areas where the two institutions could pool resources, knowledge and talent.
The engagement is the latest in a series of international visits Makerere University has hosted in recent years, as the institution continues to position itself as a preferred partner for universities and research organizations seeking collaboration in agriculture, biosciences and allied fields. CoVAB has over the years built a reputation for research and training that draws interest from partners across Africa, Asia and beyond, and it is against this backdrop that the visit by the Southwest Minzu University delegation was received with considerable enthusiasm.
A Coordinated Effort Rooted in Local Expertise
The visit was coordinated by Mr. Kirunda Halid, a Makerere University alumnus currently working with the National Agricultural Research Organization and Uganda Christian University. Mr. Kirunda’s role in facilitating the engagement between Southwest Minzu University and Makerere reflects the value that the university continues to draw from its alumni network, particularly those who have gone on to build careers in research institutions with strong ties to national development priorities.
Presenting his report on the outcomes of the visit and the associated meetings, Mr Kirunda noted that the discussions had brought forth clear opportunities to expand collaboration in biotechnology, with particular emphasis on bio-fertilizers and research chemistry. He explained that these areas represent a natural convergence between the technical strengths of Southwest Minzu University and the applied research capacity that NARO and Makerere have developed over the years, particularly through facilities such as the Kawanda laboratories.
According to Mr. Kirunda, the conversations held during the visit went beyond general goodwill and touched on the practical steps required to move any partnership from an idea into a hands-on programme. He observed that both sides recognised the potential of biotechnology applications in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, especially where biofertilizer research could support sustainable agricultural practices, and where research chemistry could underpin diagnostics and product development work relevant to both institutions.
Mr. Kirunda’s dual position as a Makerere alumnus and a NARO researcher placed him in a unique position to bridge the interests of the visiting delegation with the realities of research infrastructure on the ground in Uganda. He noted that National Agricultural Research Organization facilities, particularly those at Kawanda, already carry out substantial work in areas that overlap closely with the interests expressed by Southwest Minzu University, and that this overlap is what makes the proposed collaboration especially promising. Rather than starting from scratch, he explained, the two sides would be building on existing capacity and simply need to align it more closely with shared objectives.
Makerere Open to Partnerships That Transfer Knowledge and Technology
In her remarks to the visiting delegation, Professor Sarah Ssali reaffirmed Makerere University‘s openness to collaborations of this nature. She emphasised that the university remains committed to building connections between universities and industries as a means of enabling knowledge and technology transfer, with the ultimate purpose of advancing joint research that benefits both institutions and the wider communities they serve.
“Partnerships such as the one being explored with Southwest Minzu University are consistent with Makerere University‘s broader institutional priorities, which place a strong emphasis on research that has real world application and on collaborations that strengthen the university’s ability to contribute to national and regional development”, Professor Ssali emphasized. She noted that animal husbandry and veterinary medicine are areas where Uganda continues to face practical challenges that require sustained research investment, and that international partnerships bring valuable perspectives, resources and technical expertise to tackle these challenges.
She also took the opportunity to thank Mr Kirunda for channelling the proposed collaboration from Southwest Minzu University to Makerere, describing his role as an example of the continuing value that Makerere alumni bring to the university long after they have left its lecture halls. Her remarks underscored the university’s recognition that partnerships of this kind often begin through individual relationships and networks built over years, before growing into formal institutional arrangements.
Introducing Southwest Minzu University
The head of the visiting delegation, Vice President of Southwest Minzu University, Professor Yang Sheng-Tao, used his remarks to introduce his university to the Makerere audience, sharing a number of quick facts about the institution’s history, academic focus and areas of strength. He explained that his presence at Makerere was driven by a genuine interest in enhancing collaboration between the two universities, and that he saw considerable potential for shared work in the fields of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine given the complementary strengths of both institutions.
Professor Yang’s remarks gave the Makerere hosts a clearer picture of Southwest Minzu University’s academic profile and helped frame the discussion around where the two institutions might find the greatest value in working together. His emphasis on enhancing collaboration echoed the broader tone of the visit, which combined introductions and relationship building with a practical focus on identifying specific technical areas for joint work.
Proposed Next Steps and Already Established Actions
Drawing from the discussions and Professor Yang Sheng-Tao and Mr Kirunda’s remarks, several concrete actions and next steps were proposed or are already underway to give the collaboration a firm foundation.
The first of the already established actions is a July 23rd 2026 visit to the China-Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Park in Luwero to provide technical guidance and training on Phased livestock production and standardized management practices. This assessment is intended to establish the current state of infrastructure, equipment and capacity at the relevant sites, so that any future partnership is built on an accurate understanding of what exists and what may still be needed.
The second proposed step is the development of a detailed collaboration workplan between the universities and the national laboratories involved. This work plan is expected to cover the specific technical areas identified during the visit, namely biotechnology, biofertilizers and chemistry, alongside clear articulation of funding sources, institutional responsibilities and timelines for implementation. Meeting participants agreed that a work plan of this nature would give both institutions a shared reference point for tracking progress and holding each other accountable to agreed milestones.
The coordinated visit, led by NARO and supported by Makerere University leadership alongside the Southwest Minzu University delegation, opened up promising avenues for collaboration in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, particularly around biotechnology applications such as biofertilizers. The Kawanda laboratory was singled out as a key site for technical partnership going forward.
Looking Ahead
The meeting between Makerere University and the visiting Southwest Minzu University delegation reflects a wider pattern in which international academic partnerships are increasingly anchored in specific, actionable areas of shared interest rather than broad cooperation. The emphasis placed on site assessments, a detailed workplan, funding clarity and further engagement between technical and administrative parties suggests that both institutions intend to treat this visit as the beginning of a structured process rather than a one-off exchange of pleasantries.
For Makerere University, the engagement adds to a growing portfolio of international collaborations in agricultural and veterinary sciences, and reinforces the role that the university’s alumni, such as Mr Kirunda Halid, continue to play in connecting Makerere to new opportunities across the globe. For Southwest Minzu University, the visit represents an early but important step toward what Professor Yang Sheng-Tao and his delegation hope will become a lasting partnership grounded in shared research, capacity building and mutual benefit.
As both institutions now turn to the practical work of assessing laboratories, drafting workplans and identifying funding sources, the coming months are expected to determine how quickly this early goodwill translates into concrete joint programmes in biotechnology, biofertilizers, research chemistry, and the broader fields of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine that first brought the two universities together.
Makerere University‘s leadership expressed confidence that the foundation laid during this visit, built through the combined efforts of Professor Ssali’s office, the visiting delegation under Professor Yang Sheng-Tao, and the coordination provided by Mr Kirunda Halid and NARO, would translate into a partnership of lasting value. Both institutions indicated their willingness to maintain open communication as the proposed site assessments and workplan development proceed, with further meetings among technical and administrative leaders expected to follow in the short term.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Makerere University Equips Livestock Finalist students for a Changing Job Market
At a time when youth unemployment continues to challenge economies across Africa, Makerere University is taking deliberate steps to prepare graduates for success beyond the classroom. The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) recently hosted a Careers Day for finalists in the Bachelor of Industrial Livestock and Business (BILB) and Bachelor of Animal Production Technology and Management (BAPT) programs.
Held under the theme “Bridging Academic Training and Industry Practice: Preparing Livestock Graduates for Professional Excellence and Sector Transformation,” the event brought together academic leaders, government officials, industry practitioners, and human resource experts to share insights on navigating the transition from university to the world of work.
Inspiring Messages of Integrity and Resilience
Dr. Dorothy Kalule Nampanzira, Head of the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources, urged students to embrace integrity, resilience, and self-discovery as they step into professional life. “You are now adults, and wherever you go, you carry the name of Makerere University,” she reminded them.
Connecting Students to Opportunities
Dr. Sylvia Baluka introduced the Agricultural Sector Apprenticeship Programme, which provides paid placements to fresh graduates, offering hands-on experience and confidence-building opportunities. She emphasized the need for awareness and proactive applications to maximize access.
Rethinking Education and Work
Professor Anthony Mugisha challenged students to reflect on the difference between schooling and true education, urging them to become problem-solvers and entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
Government and Industry Perspectives
Speakers from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development highlighted Uganda’s untapped opportunities in agriculture and livestock, encouraging graduates to approach challenges as openings for innovation. Practical sessions on CV writing and interview preparation reinforced the importance of readiness and professionalism.
Student Reflections
Final-year students described the Careers Day as transformative, noting that it bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world expectations while boosting confidence in their career paths.
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