The Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program is a 5-year CDC-supported collaboration of Makerere UniversitySchool of Public Health (MakSPH), the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and Health Information Systems Program (HISP Uganda).
Highlights of the METS July 2022 Newsletter
Fostering interoperability for Data Exchange across Health Information Systems in Uganda
The Viral Load (VL) exchange: VL test requests and results are exchanged between facility-based EMRs (UgandaEMR and ClinicMaster) and the VL information systems housed at the MoH Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL).
The EMR-DHIS2 (NextGen reporting) exchange: Enables aggregated data from facility-based EMR to be exchanged with the national electronic health data reporting system (DHIS2).
HIV recency testing and case based surveillance: De-identified patient level data is sent from the facility EMR to a central database, where it is cleaned, and transformed and visualized on a dashboard.
EMR usage statistics exchange: As the rollout of UgandaEMR continues to increase through the implementation model of working with comprehensive implementing partners, there is a need to track the progress of new site setup, upgrade of existing sites and migration to Point of Care (PoC).
EMR- electronic TB Case Based Surveillance System (eCBSS) exchange: THis integration is a 2-way sync of patient level data between the two systems, UgandaEMR at health facility and eCBSS deployed and managed centrally.
METS applauded for supporting the Mid-Term Review of HMIS Tools
MoH with support from METS organized a 14-day retreat from 4 – 15 July 2022 at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja. Several key stakeholders participated with over 130 representatives from the Ministry of Health/AIDS Control Program, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), USAID, METS, SITES, Uganda Cancer Institute, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP), National Drug Authority, Regional Referral Hospitals, ARC, PATH, PEPFAR Implementing Partners such as Baylor Uganda, Rakai Health Sciences Program, TASO, Mildmay among others.
UgandaEMR an Open Source supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Response Innovation Lab, in partnership with URIDU organized an innovation and networking event focusing on Open Source as a contribution towards SDGs focusing on Health, Education and Equity. This event was held on the 6th July 2022 at Fairway Hotel Kampala.
Discussions focused on use of Open Source and its contribution; possibilities of integration to optimize resources and access; scalability of it to across all health care points, building on top of UgandaEMR to meet the needs of public and private health care providers.
Using Single Page Application (SPA) in UgandaEMR to improve service delivery at Family Health clinic
Makerere University School of Public Health Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support Programs (MakSPH-METS) in partnership with the stakeholders organized “Bootcamps” to develop and improve features in the UgandaEMR to cater to the needs of users while improving Family Health services delivery at public Health Facilities across the country.
At the end of the Bootcamps, the developers were able to achieve notable milestones;
MCH (Maternal and child health) Registers completed and integrated into the latest version of UgandaEMR
Added 3 more forms under Family Health Module (Child Health and Family Planning registers)
Created a design document draft for the requirements to be used in the development of SPA react based interface. SPA is single page application module embedded into OpenMRS
Completed the process of packaging UgandaEMR in OpenMRS 3.x frontend, ensuring that all the data entry tools/ forms are saving properly
Completed the migration of UgandaEMR concept management to OpenMRS
Lessons Learnt from Case Based Surveillance Pilot
The Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), with funding from CDC piloted CBS to inform potential national scale-up.
This pilot was implemented in partnership with MoH, UCSF and the regional implementing partners. The CBS Pilot was implemented at high volume Health facilities in the districts of Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Kikuube and Hoima from 2016. The selection of pilot districts was informed by the high HIV prevalence rates in the selected districts at the time.
Annual Supply Chain Week
The Annual Health Supply Chain Week was a platform to showcase digitization innovations in the Health Supply Chain system. The digitization process is essential for improving performance, efficiency and strengthening data driven decision making across the health supply chain system.
The event was part of the several activities under the theme ‘Digitizing the Health Supply Chain, a key component in implementing the 10-year National Health Supply chain roadmap.
The Makerere University Non-Communicable Disease (MAK-NCD) Research Training Program is a research capacity building program based at Makerere University College of Health Sciences with collaboration at John Hopkins University and funded by the United States National Institute of Health-Fogarty International Centre (D43TW011401). The overall goal of this training program is to develop a comprehensive mentored research-training program in Uganda that will build local capacity to address the challenges of NCD control and management and promote the use of research findings to inform decision-making and policy.
PhD Fellowship
The PhD fellowship support is for up to three (3) years (full-time), subject to annual performance reviews and progress milestones. Successful scholars will be registered at Makerere University and may undertake sponsored didactic research methods training at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU), USA, to receive additional skills development and mentorship in NCD research. This call is targeting mainly junior researchers with interest in building an independent research career in noncommunicable diseases research with focus on Epidemiology, Data Science and Implementation Science research to strengthen evidence-based interventions, policy and control in Uganda.
Masters Fellowship
MakNCD is pleased to invite applications for Master’s level training in the following disciplines: Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Health monitoring and Evaluation. These training opportunities are intended to build a critical mass of professionals equipped with research, leadership, health systems, and management skills relevant to addressing the growing burden of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries.
Application Deadline: 23rd February 2025; Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is pleased to announce the Certificate Course in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (CWASH) – 2026.
This intensive and practical short course is designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of professionals involved in the planning, implementation, and management of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services. The programme responds to the growing demand for competent WASH practitioners in local government, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.
Course Highlights
Duration: 8 weeks (01 June – 24 July 2026)
Mode: Day programme (classroom-based learning and field attachment)
Fees:
UGX 900,000 (Ugandans / East African Community)
USD 500 (International participants)
Application deadline:Friday, 27 March 2026
Who Should Apply?
Practising officers in the WASH sector
Environmental Health workers seeking Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Applicants with at least UACE (or equivalent) and one year of WASH-related work experience
Attached to this announcement, interested persons will find:
The course flier, providing comprehensive programme details, and
The application form, which should be completed and returned to MakSPH together with the required supporting documents.
For full course details, application procedures, and contact information, please carefully review the attached documents. Eligible and interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline and take advantage of this opportunity to build practical competence in WASH service delivery.
The Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) on Thursday, 8 January 2026 organised a Member Sensitisation Session on “Understanding Identity Shifts; Developing Routines; Sustaining Motivation and Purpose”. The session focused on holistic retirement planning, emphasising that readiness for life after work goes beyond finances to include psychological, emotional, and social well-being across all career stages—from early career to post-retirement.
The session featured a keynote presentation by Professor Seggane Musisi, who highlighted how work-related titles and roles often shape personal identity, and how retirement can trigger a sense of loss if individuals are unprepared to redefine themselves. Members were encouraged to consciously design a post-work identity grounded in values, purpose, and community contribution.
Participants learned practical strategies for:
Preparing early for retirement at different career stages;
Developing healthy, meaningful routines that support mental stability and productivity;
Sustaining motivation and purpose beyond formal employment;
Managing stress, maintaining physical and mental health, and nurturing social connections; and
Balancing family responsibilities with personal well-being.
The discussion also addressed cultural realities of retirement in Uganda, including family expectations, social obligations, and financial pressures. Special attention was given to age-related challenges such as dementia, depression, and chronic illness, underscoring the importance of preventive health care, emotional resilience, and timely professional support.
Overall, the session reinforced the message that retirement is a lifelong transition, not a one-time event. Members were encouraged to plan early, adapt continuously, and intentionally design a fulfilling, purposeful life beyond work—psychologically, socially, and financially.
To view the session, please click the embedded video below. Further below is the presentation.
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