Veterinary & Biosecurity
CoVAB Celebrates the Life & Accomplishments of the Late Prof. Christine Dranzoa
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security (CoVAB) joined the rest of the Makerere community and other mourners to celebrate the life of the Late Prof. Christine Dranzoa on Friday 1st July 2022 at St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University.
The requiem mass organized in honor of the late Prof. Dranzoa attracted a number of mourners that included a representative of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni who was the chief mourner, family, friends, colleagues from various walks of life as well as the Makerere University fraternity where the late was an alumna and an academic member of staff for long.
Prof. Dranzoa was remembered by the clergy as a devout member of the St. Augustine community who actively participated in the varied church programs.
Numerous eulogies described the late Professor Dranzoa as the first in many respects, as the first woman to get a Ph.D. and to become a Professor in the West Nile Region and a renowned advocate for the girl child as well as mentor and advisor to many who were privileged to interact with her.
During her tenure at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security, (CoVAB), Prof. Dranzoa was remembered and recognized as the founder of the Wildlife Animal Resources Management (WAAM) from a small unit in the Anatomy department. The unit through her effort and zeal trained and impacted many people who are serving the nation, the region and the world in various capacities. She also served as the Head of department until the year 2005 when she left to serve in other capacities.
Prof. Christine Dranzoa who was remembered as an all-round Academic, Researcher, Ecologist, Conversationalist and Administrator was also recognized in her role as the founder Vice Chancellor of Muni University, one of the public universities and degree-awarding institutions in the country located in Arua.
“In her 56 years of life from 2nd September 1965 to the time she died on 26th June 2022, she left Moyo, West Nile, Uganda, Africa and the whole world better than she found it” noted the chairperson of the organizing committee for the burial of the late Prof. Christine Dranzoa while addressing mourners during the mass. Many of the condolence messages including one from CoVAB’s Principal Prof. Nobert Frank Mwiine and Dr. Nalule Sarah from the WAAM department could not be read due to the overwhelming messages from organizations and individuals she impacted.
She was remembered for the roles she played as Chairperson, Member and Advisor on a number of bodies and agencies including the Forum for Women University Vice Chancellors, Uganda Veterinary Association, Uganda National Academy of Sciences and many more.
“She was altruistic, a perfectionist, a pillar and dependable person and so the family has lost a pivot,” said her children and other family members while giving their eulogy. ‘to you the employers of the Late Prof. Dranzoa, you have also lost a great asset’ they noted. They further commended the management and staff of Makerere University for giving the late Prof Dranzoa the opportunities that opened her doors worldwide as evidenced from the messages from many people.
The Vice Chancellor Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in a condolence Message read for him by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (DVCAA) Prof. Umar Kakumba said the Late Prof. Dranzoa was raised and nurtured at Makerere University where she acquired her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1987, later joining as a lecturer in 1991, earning her Masters the same year and later in in 1997 she got her PhD in Zoology.
“Professor Dranzoa’s service to Makerere can best be described as dedicated and impactful. She spearheaded efforts to turn the Wildlife subsection under the Department of Anatomy in the then Faculty of Veterinary Medicine into a fully-fledged Department of Wildlife and Animal Resources Management. As Head of this department, she initiated programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, whose graduates continue to make important contributions to wildlife and biodiversity conservation all over the world” it was stated in a statement by Prof. Nawangwe.
The Vice Chancellor said that the Late Prof. Christine Dranzoa served as Deputy Director of the then School of Graduate Studies where she led many policy reforms including the introduction of the Doctoral Committee Supervision Model and Public Defense of Theses and Dissertations. She also popularized the award of joint degree programs by units of the University.
He further noted that with her exceptional qualities, Professor Dranzoa was appointed as Chairperson of the Taskforce charged with setting up Muni University from December 2009 to May 2010 and thereafter as Vice Chancellor where she contributed to the transformation of Muni University.
Prof. Nawangwe extended special condolences to Muni University upon the loss of their Vice-Chancellor, senior colleague and mentor as well as the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum upon the loss of an active and resourceful Member.
Other condolence messages were received from many other agencies that included the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) where the Late Prof. Dranzoa was Chairperson, the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) where she was a Member and President Emeritus. The Nile Women Initiative where she was a co-founder and Chairperson.
Other organizations that joined the mass in celebrating the life of Prof. Christine Dranzoa included the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum, National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), The Education Service Commission, UNESACO Uganda, Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB), Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) and many more
In the homily by the main celebrant at the requiem mass, he noted that educated people detest God when still alive and are only forced in church when they die. He reminded the congregation that from dust they came and they would go.
“If we know that this hour will come to all of us, it’s wise that when still alive we prepare for this moment and this is what Christine did. She was 56, she left a trail. Which trail are you leaving? We should cultivate values that will prepare us to see God” he emphasized.
Please click the embedded videos below to view the Requiem Mass at St. Augustine Chapel, Tribute by Muni University Council and Arua City as well as the Burial Ceremony.
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.
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.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
CoVAB Prepares Future Educators with One Health Skills to Address Zoonotic and Climate Risks
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.
“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.
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.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
CIMTRADZ Founders Convention Reflects on Achievements and Sets a Bold Agenda for Global Biosecurity
In a strategic gathering at Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), the Consortium for Integrated Management of Transboundary Diseases and Zoonoses (CIMTRADZ) held its Founder’s Convention to reflect on its 12-year journey and unveil its ambitious next chapter: the Multisectoral Alliance for Global Biosecurity and Bioeconomy Advancement (MAGBBA). The event, hosted under the School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Biomolecular Sciences (SBLS), brought together scientists, students, and strategic partners from across Uganda and beyond. The convention served as both a retrospective and a launchpad, celebrating CIMTRADZ’s achievements while setting a bold agenda for MAGBBA’s future.
Ms. Brenda Nakazibwe, Team Lead for the Pathogen Economy at the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Secretariat, delivered an address on behalf of Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation. She commended the brains and effort behind CIMTRADZ for their relentless efforts in implementing research and training programs initially supported under the Presidential Initiative on Science and Technology that set the pace for the numerous achievements realised to-date.
Nakazibwe outlined Uganda’s strategic roadmap for harnessing science and innovation to drive national development. She revealed that since March 2022, the STI Secretariat has operated through eight specialized bureaus focused on mobility, export promotion, and productivity acceleration. “Our mandate is to coordinate the ecosystem,” Nakazibwe emphasized, “bringing together academia, media, and the private sector to ensure science leads us to another level.”
While emphasisng the commitment of continued support to the academia in finding solutions to societal challenges, Nakazibwe also spotlighted Uganda’s prioritized industrial value chains, which include ICT, artificial intelligence, infrastructure innovation, aeronautics, and space science. She stressed that science must be a tool to combat poverty and unemployment, aligning with the goals of National Development Plan III.
Representing Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza praised the university’s growing network of research centers, some of which have attained Level 5 status as centers of excellence. He emphasized that the transition from the Consortium for Integrated Management of Transboundary Diseases and Zoonoses (CIMTRADZ) to the proposed Multisectoral Alliance for Global Biosecurity and Bioeconomy Advancement (MAGBBA) signals a strategic shift toward sustainability and broader impact.
“In the face of pandemics and epidemics, the world is counting on scientists,” Prof. Buyinza said. “This is no longer a concern confined to laboratories, but it’s a matter of national survival.”
He called on Uganda’s scientific community to develop a comprehensive national inventory of pathogens, stressing that biosecurity must be a shared responsibility across sectors. He also commended the movement of Makerere’s academic talent into government and private agencies, describing it as a positive extension of the university’s influence.
“We are in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he noted, urging researchers to harness their expertise to address pressing health and development challenges. “Collaboration and cooperation are no longer optional but are essential.”
Prof. Buyinza concluded by pledging institutional support for scientific initiatives that translate into tangible products and services, reinforcing Makerere’s role as a driver of innovation and societal transformation.
During the convention Prof. John David Kabasa delivered a powerful message on the future of biosecurity and bioeconomy, calling on scientists to take the lead in safeguarding society against biological threats. Prof. Kabasa emphasized the urgent need to protect both human and animal populations from emerging pathogens. He described biosecurity and bioeconomy as critical pillars for national resilience and global competitiveness.
“We are living in an era of insufficiency,” Prof. Kabasa stated, “where bio threats are no longer distant possibilities but immediate challenges demanding coordinated action.”
He commended Makerere University for its visionary leadership and the platform it has provided to advance scientific research and innovation. He also acknowledged the Government of Uganda for its substantial investments across institutions, which he said have laid the foundation for transformative progress.
Prof. Kabasa stressed the importance of capacity building and value amplification, and called on universities and schools to equip learners with skills that enhance the value of biological assets and foster entrepreneurial thinking.
Prof. Kabasa however, he expressed concern over the persistence of outdated ideologies, weak innovation culture, and limited Pan-African collaboration. To address these gaps, he advocated for a culture of collaboration across higher education, research, and service delivery.
“Scientists hold the key to societal transformation,” he said, urging them to embrace their responsibility and develop solutions to pressing challenges.
Prof. M. Kaneene of Michigan State University delivered an inspiring presentation that underscored Uganda’s growing role in global biosecurity and infectious disease preparedness. Speaking as one of the founding mentors of the Consortium for Integrated Management of Transboundary Diseases and Zoonoses (CIMTRADZ), Prof. Kaneene reflected on the initiative’s journey and its far-reaching impact. He highlighted a Special Issue of a scientific journal featuring four foundational papers that helped catalyze new projects not only in Uganda but across Africa and beyond. “Centers like CEBIGH give CoVAB a unique niche in addressing regional and global biosecurity challenges,” Prof. Kaneene said, emphasizing the importance of research and training in tackling emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.
He urged stakeholders to build on past achievements and expand the center’s influence through targeted programs such as short courses and summer training initiatives. With Uganda poised to take a leadership role, he stressed that biosecurity must remain a national priority.
The Principal of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, represented by Prof. Savino Biryomumaisho reflected on the consortium’s decade-long impact. He noted that CIMTRADZ had significantly contributed to the expansion of the former Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, particularly under the School of Biosecurity, Biotechnology, and Laboratory Sciences.
“CIMTRADZ has been instrumental in shaping our infrastructure and academic programs,” Prof. Mwiine said. He highlighted key developments including the central laboratory, animal research facility, biomarker and diagnostic facility, and the Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health. He also pointed to the launch of advanced degree programs,Master’s and PhDs,that have created new opportunities for staff and students to pursue higher education and research excellence.
“These achievements align perfectly with Makerere University’s vision of being a thought leader in knowledge generation for societal transformation,” he added. Prof. Mwiine cited vaccine development as one of the tangible outcomes of the consortium’s work and expressed optimism about the next phase of the initiative, which transitions into the Multisectoral Alliance for Global Biosecurity and Bioeconomy Advancement (MAGBBA).
Dr. Claire Mack Mugasa, Dean of the School of Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS), presented an overview of the school’s mandate in biosecurity, biosafety, and biomedical sciences. “Our laboratories are not just teaching spaces, they are hubs of innovation shared across departments, schools, and colleges,” Dr. Mugasa said. She emphasized the importance of partnerships with sister universities in Uganda and abroad, noting that collaboration is key to building capacity and driving scientific progress.
Following her remarks, Dr. Enoch Matovu, Director of the Centre for Global Health, addressed the urgent need for preparedness in the face of emerging and re-emerging diseases. He cited the 2022 chickenpox outbreak as a wake-up call for the region’s health systems.
“The establishment of this research centre was a strategic response to such threats,” Dr. Matovu said. “Through programs like vaccinology, we are equipping scientists to protect both human and livestock ecosystems.”
He praised the founding team behind the Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health for their vision and dedication, which have propelled CoVAB to the forefront of regional biosecurity efforts.
During the CIMTRADZ Founder’s Convention at Makerere University, participants celebrated a decade of achievements in biosecurity and institutional development at CoVAB. Key milestones included the establishment of a state-of-the-art research center, enhanced international collaborations, staff capacity building, and the launch of advanced academic programs. The event also highlighted cultural and academic exchanges such as summer schools, workshops, and conferences. These accomplishments reflect CoVAB’s strategic growth and its evolving role as a regional leader in biosecurity, now transitioning into the next phase under MAGBBA.
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