Veterinary & Biosecurity
Researchers embark on Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) Project in Uganda
By Joseph Odoi
Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security (CoVAB), with a consortium of partners, namely the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech (ISAAA) have embarked on implementing a new project titled; Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) Project, funded by the European Union.
This project aims to generate an inclusive Research & Innovation ecosystem, facilitating rapid uptake, adaption and adoption of solutions to issues that can be dealt with using a One Health approach, with the One Health concept embedded across society in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), working for healthy humans, animals and environments.
The project was launched during a stakeholders meeting held on 7th December 2022 at the Biosecurity Centre, Makerere University. The function was graced by Prof. James Okwee Acai, the Deputy Principal of CoVAB, Rose Nakabugo from the Office of the Prime Minister and other government institutions that include Ministry of Health, Kyambogo University and the National One Health Platform among others.
While officially launching the project, Prof. Clovice Kankya, the Project’s Principal Investigator (PI) for East Africa welcomed the participants to the event. He noted that; the world is facing unprecedented, inter-connected threats to the health of people, animals, and the environment; addressing these threats requires cross-sectoral, systems-wide approaches.
“The One Health concept recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and the environment.COVID-19 and its origins as a zoonotic pathogen is a particularly pertinent example, but One Health concerns many of the other major threats of our time, such as climate change and disease emergence, antimicrobial resistance, ecosystem destruction with loss of biodiversity and the fragility of food and feed systems.
In a globalised world, it is imperative that all nations and societies better manage One Health. In this project we look to build One Health capacity in Eastern and Southern Africa” Prof.Kankya explained of the new project
Expected outputs
- Government entities with OH mandates and OH stakeholders across society capacitated in cross-sectoral collaboration around OH
- Government entities capacitated in the development of evidence-based OH strategies and policies
- National secondary, tertiary, and vocational education institutes strengthened in building OH capacity for the next generation workforce
- Research institutes capacitated in training next generation OH researchers
- Research institutes capacitated in identification, development, adaption, and delivery of OH solutions (technologies, soft skills and strategic approaches for addressing current challenges)
- Service providers (public, private) capacitated in identification, adoption and delivery of OH solutions
- OH related Public-Private Partnerships strengthened in delivery of OH solutions and consultation on OH issues
- Contribution to emerging understanding on OH, its appropriate use and added value
- Knowledge and Information on OH research and policies in ESA promoted through project platforms
In his remarks, Professor James Okwee Acai, the Deputy Principal on behalf of the Principal Prof. Norbert Frank Mwiine emphasized the importance multi-sectoral approach and collaboration in One Health adding that capacity building is key in One Health research. He also thanked partners for choosing to work with Makerere University as a trusted partner in One Health research.
In her remarks, Rose Nakabugo from the Office of the Prime Minister said, ‘Uganda as a country is faced by zoonotic diseases thus the coming of COHESA will help in addressing these challenges affecting humans, animals and environment.’ She, in a special way, thanked the project team lead for Uganda, Prof. Kankya for taking lead in an initiative that will help in knowledge generation and provide direction for One Health including a curriculum for further education in One Health
During this launch, One Health Stakeholders were taken through focus group discussions, interviews with key stakeholders were organized, and the Q & A feedback and evaluations were collected. The focus group session was chaired by Mr. Okello Justine from COVAB
Some of the issues highlighted by the participants were relevance of One Health at their workplace, the importance of capacity building in one health, funding challenges around One Health, capacity building, coordination and collaborations around One Health, what should be done to promote One Health and challenges and the future of One Health in 10 years from now.
More about the Project
The COHESA project consortium works with in-country multiplier organizations (mostly One Health research and implementation organizations) to deliver the project to beneficiaries, mainly government, education, research and service providers engaged in One Health.
Duration: December 2021-November 2025 (funded by the European Union)
Project Leads:
Theo Knight-Jones (ILRI), Alexandre Caron (CIRAD); Margaret Karembu (ISAAA)
For more information, visit the project website: https://www.ilri.org/research/projects/capacitating-one-health-eastern-and-southern-africa
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.
The Makerere University Biomedical Laboratory Technology Students Association (MUBLISA) recently organized a transformative mentorship meeting at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity (CoVAB) at Makerere University, inspiring students to excel in biomedical laboratory technology. The mentorship session aimed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application while promoting diversity, inclusion, and professional development.
Two accomplished alumni were present at the event and they shared invaluable insights into thriving in the professional landscape beyond academic lectures. Their stories resonated with attendees, providing practical advice and motivation to navigate the challenges of building successful careers. It was also attended by the Dean, of the School of Biosecurity, Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS), Dr. Claire M. Mugasa.
Dr. Kiyemba Stephen Kaggwa, the distinguished director of Ebenezer Laboratories, delivered an uplifting keynote address that left a lasting impression on students and professionals alike. Known for his groundbreaking contributions to biomedical laboratory technology, Dr. Kaggwa encouraged aspiring professionals to explore their field’s untapped potential and underscored the transformative role of mentorship in fostering personal and professional growth.
Dr. Kaggwa, who leads Ebenezer Laboratories, an institution celebrated for its dedication to accurate diagnostics and advancing medical science in the region as a prominent clinical laboratory based in Kampala, further demonstrated his commitment to healthcare innovation and patient-centered care. The inspiring event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of leadership, mentorship, and innovation in shaping the next generation of professionals. It left students motivated to not only succeed but also to make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields.
The other speaker, Ms. Eunice Ainomugisha, the Vice Chair of the Allied Health Professionals Council where she represents the medical laboratory reiterated the value of building meaningful relationships and staying organized to seize opportunities. Ainomugisha who illustrated her points by using her own experience as a struggling young girl to seize the available opportunities in the field, encourages the students to dream big and seek out the best for themselves despite the circumstances.
Dr. Gabriel Tumwine, representing the head of the Biomedical Laboratory Technology Department, Dr. Kato Drago highlighted the need for mentorship alongside academic training. He commended MUBLISA for taking the lead in empowering students to develop connections and skills essential for their careers. Students were inspired by the event’s message of perseverance, hard work, and the “power of right connections.” This pioneering mentorship program set the stage for many more initiatives aimed at equipping biomedical laboratory technology students with tools for success in academia, research, and industry.
The mentorship meeting not only celebrated the achievements of the department but also served as a powerful reminder of the impact Makerere University‘s graduates continue to make in advancing health and scientific research.
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