Health
Uganda’s Swedish Embassy Celebrates Karolinska-Makerere 20-year Research Cooperation
Kampala, May 5, 2022—On May 4, more than 100 research and innovation stakeholders were hosted by the Swedish Ambassador to Uganda to mark the two-decade-long research partnership of the Karolinska Institute and Makerere University.
The teams from Makerere University led Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, the Rector Benadir University Professor Mohamed Mohamud Bidey, and President, Karolinska Institute Professor Ole Petter Ottersen were ushered into at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence located along Elizabeth Avenue in Kololo, Kampala where the team held cordial discussions.
Adam Kahasai Rudebeck, the Deputy Head of Development at the Embassy speaking on behalf of the Ambassador H.E Maria Hakansson who is currently away on official duties back home said Sweden capacity strengthing, (at the level of individuals as well as institutions) and networking with Swedish universities/ institutes has always been at the center of the mission’s objective with a long-term commitment and a scientific cooperation on equal footing as important cornerstones.
“As we are all aware, with the emergence of the ‘knowledge economies’, nations and regions respond the new challenges that affect choices in the development of higher education, research and innovation systems,” he said.
Mr. Rudebeck said the Swedish Government has identified support to higher education and research as one important area of Swedish development cooperation. Over the years, in terms of monetary terms, the total Swedish support amounts to 120million USD.
“The production, accumulation, transfer and application of knowledge are all central factors in socio-economic development and are increasingly found essential to national and regional development strategies. And while access to local and international scientifically based knowledge is crucial to the development in all countries, it is critical in developing countries,” said Mr. Rudebeck.
These celebrations coincide with Makerere University’s 100 anniversary. Speaking at the event, Professor Ole Otterson said he was excited that the more than 20 years research collaboration gave birth to Karolinska Institute’s international flagship project — the virtual Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health (CESH), a collaboration between Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet. He proposed a toast for the first 100 years of Makerere University citing that the collaboration has shown potential for sustainability and reciprocity.
“Not only do we celebrate 100 years since the foundation of 100 years of Makerere University, but we celebrate at least 22 years of the collaboration between Makerere University and Karolinska institute,” said Prof. Ottersen.
CESH seeks to develop capacity and mobilise actions to drive the agenda for sustainable health and the philosophy of the collaboration and the Centre is permeated by the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Professor Ottersen says SDGs casts a responsibility on everyone to ensure we achieve the target three (3) of Good Health and Wellbeing for all, at all ages. “We all know that we have these goals, that we should reach within 8years from now, the sustainability development goals. Quite an ambition. But sustainability has a special meaning when it comes to collaboration and in particular academic collaboration,” he said.
“Sustainability means that we must have a special mindset. Whatever we do in terms of research, should have a long-term perspective. So not only should we in our collaborative research think ahead to the day that the publication is out with our findings… that is just a step. The very essence of sustainability is that we should think, one step further,” Professor Ottersen explains.
He urged researchers to be self critical and ensure they embrace value, and the importance and the necessity of reciprocity. “More often, we have been blind when we move into collaborative projects across continents. We have done this, perhaps, not having this open mind that there could be reciprocity. It means that we should have an open mind; that we should learn from each other in a reciprocal fashion; and this will make a difference when it comes to the health of the future generations,” Professor Ottersen.
Since 2000, Sweden has maintained bilateral research cooperation with Uganda with support particularly in research in the country through thematic regional programs.
The overriding rationale for this move according to the ambassador was that Uganda needed at least one research university that was able to produce graduates, with qualified analytical skills for the country at large.
“Against this background, it was decided to focus the contribution towards strengthening the capacity for research, and training to the country’s major university, Makerere University in Kampala. Since then, the Swedish research funding to Uganda has included components of institutional support that is organically linked to support for graduate training, institution-building, postgraduate training, and the existence of an environment that is conducive for research and research training are all part of one single effort,” he said.
In addition to supporting the Makerere University Library, Labs, ICT, GIS, Gender mainstreaming and cross-cutting PhD course among others, Sweden entered cooperation with four other public universities including Kyambogo, Busitema, Gulu and Mbarara University of Science and Technology from 2010,
According to the Ambassador, Uganda’s prosperity is important, both as a source of global growth and to promote an inclusive sustainable globalization. Further citing that effective, balanced international partnerships between Swedish and Ugandan Universities and in the region are essential for continuing to tackle the global challenges laid out in the SDGs.
“Your current 5 years agreement of the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Health will not only capitalize on the exciting partnership between the two institutions but is also an important next step in the long-standing collaboration and a significant contribution in the efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals,” said the representative to the Ambassador.
Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean, School of Public Health –Makerere University while speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said the Swedish government and Karolinska Institute have truly been great partners to Makerere and a great part of the 100 hundred years.
“You did not give us the fish. You taught us how to fish. And you went beyond that in terms of the support for our systems for research. You supported the ecosystem for that research. So many years down the road, we have so many PhDs smart young people across generations that have used the knowledge and the skills that they picked from this support to be able to grow networks across Africa. We are doing so much work across Africa because of the skills and the capacity that we picked from this collaboration,” Prof. Rhoda said.
She also noted that the partnership needs to demonstrate that growth by helping others citing that true leadership means supporting and uplifting those that might not have had the same privilege and bring them along.
“The world has become so small although we continue to draw boundaries. The problems do not have boundaries and we now need to transcend those boundaries so that we can speak about the issues that move the world to the next level. I am really looking forward to the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health being that nucleus that can activate that change so that we can make this world a better place,” says Prof. Wanyenze.
She thanked the Swedish government for giving Makerere University an opportunity build capacity and continue inspiring other institutions across the region including Somalia, the DRC and the globe.
“To the Swedish government through the Embassy, there has been so much impact out of the investment which you have done. So, when you count the investment, it’s not just about the number of people that were trained. A lot of the networks that we have today, a lot of work what we are doing with colleagues in Somalia and in DRC, and so much more is as a result of the investment that you chose to do. To invest in us and that we can also invest in others so that this is sustainable. Thank you so much for contributing to the 100 years of Makerere and as our motto says we build for the future, so we are building for the next 100 years and more and professor peter and the team, colleagues from Somalia, it’s exciting to know that you are going to be part of the next 100 years as we build for the future,” Prof. Wanyenze said.
The Swedish government support through SIDA was built on establishing a partnership between Ugandan and Swedish Universities, and during the years, it has developed to a partnership between more than 17 Swedish universities/ institutions and 5 Ugandan universities that are also linked to several regional and international networks.
Health
Makerere-Incubated Safe Bangle Technologies Wins Prestigious World Summit Award for Innovation Against GBV
By Joseph Odoi
In a groundbreaking achievement, SafeBangle Technologies, an innovation incubated at Makerere University, has won the prestigious World Summit Award 2025 for its groundbreaking contribution to the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in Africa. This remarkable honor comes in recognition of the development and implementation of a real-time domestic violence reporting bracelet.
The award was presented to the SafeBangle team that was represented by Saul Kabali, Messach Luminsa, and Janet Christine Nabaloga from SafeBangle Technologies at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad, India, where Uganda’s innovation potential was proudly showcased on a global stage.
The award was conferred in the Inclusion & Empowerment category for Safe Bangle’s cutting-edge solution; a wearable safety bracelet designed to address the pressing challenge of gender-based violence (GBV) across Africa.
The SafeBangle is a smartwatch-like, real-time domestic violence reporting bracelet that allows users to send SMS alerts via a single button press. Its core mission is to create a safer, more secure environment for women and children in Africa through innovative, affordable tech solutions.
According to Saul Kabali and Messach Luminsa, the innovators behind SafeBangle from SafeBangle Technologies, hosted at the Resilient African Network Lab. This award is very timely and a recognition that cements the importance of community rooted technology.
The team further stated that ‘’This award is a powerful affirmation of our mission and refuels our commitment to empowering Ugandan women and girls through innovation and technology. It influences our next steps by opening doors to new partnerships, increasing our credibility, and accelerating efforts to scale the SafeBangle nationally. We’re now more equipped to positively impact the daily lives of Ugandan women and girls through our SafeBangle bracelet.
To further the innovation, the team has called upon government to support the Safe Bangle Innovation
‘’Governments can support us by providing funding, facilitating policy support, and creating collaborative platforms for innovation. NGOs can help with grassroots outreach, and connect us to potential donors and funders interested in solving Sexual and Gender Based Violence amongst vulnerable communities; and tech partners can enhance scalability through infrastructure, data insights, and capacity building.
Moving forward, the team emphasized the importance of uniting innovation, partnership, and purpose to scale impact. “As we empower communities, invest in local solutions, and promote collaboration, we can transform how technology protects and uplifts women and girls across Uganda,” added the award-winning team.
The Story Behind the Safe Bangle Bracelet Innovation
According to the Safe Bangle innovators Saul Kabali and Messach Luminsa , ‘’The inspiration behind SafeBangle came from a deeply personal place. ‘’We heard countless stories of women who couldn’t call for help during moments of danger. We were deeply affected by the story of Aisha, a young woman in a rural village who was attacked while walking home alone at night. With no way to call for help, she felt helpless and vulnerable. This incident made us realize the critical need for immediate reporting alert tools, accessible to women like Aisha. We knew technology could play a crucial role and this incident awakened a strong desire in us to create a solution’’
To Makerere University School of Public Health’s Dr. Juliet Kiguli, who collaborated closely with the team during the rollout of the bracelet, this award is a vote of confidence in the work of Makerere University, whose core function focuses on teaching, learning, community engagement, research, and innovation, all contributing to the university’s efforts in addressing domestic violence.
‘’The award-winning innovation stems from the findings of a longitudinal study led by the Makerere University School of Public Health.
While carrying out a study after the Covid-19 Pandemic, we identified gaps when it comes to reporting and response to Gender Based Violence (GBV) among women in informal settlements. Therefore, we used to incorporate the SafeBangle intervention to solve the problem of lack of affordable and immediate reporting mechanisms for violence using a bracelet that reports violence in real time
We’re excited about the progress so far, and with this recognition, we hope that more like-minded partners will join us to scale this initiative and ultimately help make the world a safer place for all.” Added Dr Kiguli of the Safe Bangle innovation potential
The research team, comprising Dr. Juliet Kiguli (Principal Investigator), Dr. Roy Mayega (Deputy Chief of Party, RAN), and Dr. Agnes Nyabigambo (Study Coordinator), piloted the bracelet under the PEER (Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research) program with support from USAID and the National Academies of Sciences.
A consortium of partners, including SafeBangle Technologies, Makerere School of Public Health/RAN , the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Somero Uganda, implemented the rollout of the Domestic Violence Real-Time Reporting Bracelet. The initiative was supported by USAID and the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. Key contributors to the project included Dr Juliet Kiguli Roy Mayega from Makerere University School of Public Health, Dr. Kelly Robbins, Dr. Lina Stankute-Alexander, Dr. Brent Wells, Dr. Melissa Trimble, and Uganda’s Dr. Gloria Kasozi at USAID. Wisconsin Madison Medical University’s Prof. Julia Dickson-Gomez was also a collaborator.
In terms of the acceptability of the SafeBangle innovation as a solution to GBV, the team has piloted the technology with more than 1,000 users, resulting in a 63% reduction in response times
During the event, SafeBangle Team participated in the “Equity by Design” panel, sharing insights on inclusive technology development with global experts including Dorothy Gordon, Abhishek Singh from India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT, Baroness Beeban Kidron, and representatives from UNESCO and WE Hub.
About SafeBangle Technologies
SafeBangle Technologies is a Ugandan social enterprise hosted at Resilient African Network Lab focused on addressing gender-based violence through innovative safety solutions. The company combines wearable technology with an interactive web platform to provide real-time reporting of violence and physical assaults, even in areas without internet connectivity. Founded in 2018, SafeBangle operates with a mission to make safety accessible and affordable for vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
Health
A Humble Petition from the Marabou Storks of Kampala to His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Your Excellency,
We send you warm greetings from the skies above Kampala — from your old, bald-headed friends, the Marabou Storks, or as we are fondly called, the Kalooli. We are not the prettiest of birds, with our wrinkled faces, hunched shoulders, and sharp beaks, but we carry an important duty. Where others see waste and decay, we see purpose. We are nature’s cleaners, recycling what would otherwise rot and cause harm.
Some count us among Africa’s “Ugly Five,” alongside hyenas, vultures, wildebeests, and warthogs, but we take no offense. Beauty was never the Creator’s mission for our mission, but service was. We glide quietly between life and death, keeping the balance, cleaning the mess, and doing the work that must be done.
Today, we come to you not with complaints, but with a plea for partnership, to protect our shared home and ensure a cleaner, healthier Uganda for all. We still remember the day in 2008, Mr. President, when you gave the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Kampala Capital City Authority instructions to “kindly relocate us” from the esteemed grounds of State House, Nakasero. We don’t harbor angry feelings. Truly. We realized back then, as we do now, that not everyone finds our odd looks or the noble scent that naturally results from a lifetime of cleaning your lovely nation appealing.
Your Excellency, we are modest. And forgiving. We maintained our composure even when we were discussed in Parliament in 2020, when honorable members referred to us as “health threats” and asked that we leave the Parliament gardens. We birds, after all, literally have thicker skin!
We are better citizens now. Thanks to Makerere University‘s kind hospitality, we have discovered a new haven. We express our deep thanks to Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe for preserving the ancient trees, the very canopies that now provide us with protection, generation after generation. Students here lovingly refer to us as “the real professors of Makerere,” observing us as we keep a watchful eye on campus life with our sage, steady gaze. Some people think it’s a blessing to see a Kalooli before an exam. We take selfies with other people. We have kind of turned into little celebrities, sir. We appreciate the tranquility, love and peace you provided, with your comrade freedom fighters. They bring uhuru to these trees, and our kids pray for you every day for more life.
However, we come before you today not just to reminisce, but to raise important concerns not for ourselves alone, but for the survival of Uganda’s fragile ecosystem.
We are concerned about the growing crisis in waste, plastics, and environmental decay.
Your Excellency, you are a man who loves numbers. Allow us to present some:
- 768 metric tons — that is the amount of food waste produced DAILY in Kampala alone.
- 65% to 79% of solid waste in Kampala landfills consists of food waste.
- The dairy industry in Uganda loses $23 million annually from waste alone, according to the Food Rights Alliance.
- 135,804 tons of plastic waste generated in the Kampala Metropolitan Area recently.
- 42% of that waste remains uncollected, leading to clogged drains, flood risks, pollution of wetlands, and of course, diseases.
- Shockingly, 10% of this waste ends up in Uganda’s precious water systems!
Your Excellency,
It might surprise you but it’s true. Between 2018 and 2021, Uganda produced 12,330 tons of recycled polyethylene (rPET). And that’s not all conservative estimates predict a 91% increase in production between 2022 and 2025, should imports stay the same.
Mr. President, we Marabou Storks have served loyally as your unpaid, unsung environmental officers. While your citizens discard waste carelessly, we fly across the city, scavenging, sorting, and managing organic decay. We are your frontline solid waste managers, yet without uniforms, pensions, or even a simple “thank you.”
We join you in mourning the tragic loss of life that occurred at Kiteezi Landfill. We experienced devastation because the birds that live there consider that place their territory. We directly observed your people’s struggle to survive while they navigated hazardous unstable waste piles. Our deepest condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones and to every Ugandan citizen. The disaster served as a harsh reminder that waste mismanagement impacts people directly beyond just environmental concerns. Working together as environmental custodians we ask you to take action to prevent more deaths from occurring beneath waste mountain piles.
Just for context, Mr. President, since you fondly like science, here is the scientific truth about us
You may recall Dr. Derek Pomeroy and Mr. Michael Kibuule, distinguished researchers at Makerere University, who in 2021 published the history of our kind in Uganda. They noted:
- Over 1,200 nesting pairs once graced Kampala city alone.
- Over 800 Marabous nested at Makerere University.
- Uganda likely hosts the largest urban colony of Marabou Storks in the world.
Dr. Pomeroy and Kibuule should receive Katonga medals because we recognize their devotion to us. They have loved us. Dr. Pomeroy first came to Uganda in 1969 to work in Makerere University‘s Department of Zoology. He developed deep affection for us and demonstrated excellent understanding. He has written affectionately about us. He knows we are innocent. Dr. Pomeroy maintains his affiliation to Makerere University while conducting independent research as both a Zoologist and an ecologist.
Mr. President, in the beginning, our existence was in the untamed savanna. We transitioned to urban areas alongside human development to assist with cleanup duties rather than to create any disturbance. We came to clean up the areas where you discarded bones and waste. Ronald Norman Magill stated that despite being part of Africa’s “Ugly Five,” we remain crucial to ecosystems because our simple and gritty nature is what makes us indispensable. Our role includes feeding on dead animals and decomposing matter to prevent diseases and sustain soil health through silent and selfless recycling of life.
Your Excellency, here are our humble pleas to you, Our President
- Please urge your people to plant trees.
Our homes are disappearing completely. Sky scrapers are popping up everywhere we used to patch. Your Excellency, we merely ask that you recognize our role and protect our habitats; we are not opposed to development. In order to locate nesting sites, we now have to travel a considerable distance between Kiteezi, Lubigi, and the University. For all creatures, feathery, four-legged, and two-legged—healthy trees translate into richer soils, cleaner air, better rainfall, and cooler cities. - Please strengthen plastic waste management.
Your laws Mr. President, the 10-Year Restoration Plan, the National Environment Act 2019, and the Extended Producer Responsibility rules are all positive steps, but laws that do nothing are just as useful as wings on a tortoise. Please advocate for implementation, particularly in the areas of public education on responsible dumping and enforcement. We implore you to encourage your people to stop illegal dumping, sort their waste, recycle, and treat the environment as a gift rather than a trash can. - Please invest boldly in waste infrastructure.
Your Excellency, - If Parliament can enjoy a small patriotic “thank you” of the legendary “100 silver coins” for safeguarding peace, surely a few crumbs can reach us, the Marabou Storks; Kampala’s tireless, unpaid sanitation workers, as a token of national gratitude. Imagine what a few billion shillings for KCCA, for trucks, bins, and civic education could achieve. A cleaner Kampala would mean less wandering for us and less embarrassment for you when tourists meet our noble, bald-headed selves. At least then, we would feast in dignity, not after cross-country marathons over scattered rubbish.
- Support Community Environmental Heroes.
Students, youth, schools, churches, and communities are already doing cleanup drives. Support them with grants, incentives, recognition, and encouragement. Empower a new generation of eco-warriors.
Mr. President, we, Marabou Storks are no longer the nuisance you once sought to relocate.
We are living proof that resilience, adaptation, and hard work can co-exist even in a changing, urbanized world.
All we ask now is for you and your government to join wings with us, birds and humans alike to clean up Kampala, to green Uganda, and to create a legacy that future generations will bless you for.
Let us work together, so that Uganda shines not under mounds of waste, but under canopies of trees, rivers flowing freely, and skies where even the humble Kalooli can soar proudly.
Yours sincerely,
The Marabou Storks of Kampala
The writer is a science and health communicator
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