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Experts Gather to Analyze and Strengthen Efforts in Maternal and Reproductive Health

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By Samantha Agasha and Davidson Ndyabahika

Uganda has made notable progress in increasing coverage of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services over the past two decades, but overall progress remains uneven due to inadequate investment and funding for health, fragmented and disorganized healthcare systems, gaps in evidence-based policy, and weaknesses in policy implementation.

In an effort to catalyze policy improvement in Africa, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and the Malaysia-based United Nations University International Institute of Global Health (UNU-IIGH) have agreed to co-fund a program of work aimed at promoting Maternal, Newborn, Sexual and Reproductive Health (MNSRH) policy improvement and development in five African countries, including Uganda.

On Wednesday 18th January 2023, a partner engagement meeting was held in Kampala to conduct a situational analysis of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services in Uganda and discuss challenges in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Charles Ibingira highlighted the challenges in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation in RMNCAH services.

“Our targeted outputs are; updated/improved versions of existing policies, or new policies, an improved MNSRH research-policy-practice system (including better coordination and communication between commissioners, producers, and users of research), case studies of catalyzing policy improvement in Africa – CPIA model, and two structured courses for a cohort of young professionals in policy analysis and implementation research,” Prof. Ibingira highlighted.

Prof. Charles Ibingira, the team lead on the project takes notes during the RMNCAH partner's engagement.
Prof. Charles Ibingira, the team lead on the project takes notes during the RMNCAH partner’s engagement.

The session was moderated by Professor Elizeus Rutebemberwa, the Deputy Dean, School of Public Health assisted by Dr. Josaphat Byamugisha, of Obstetrics & Gynecology and the Director, Makerere University Health Services with assistance from Professor Lynn Atuyambe.

Professor Elizeus Rutebemberwa, the Deputy Dean, School of Public Health moderates the session.
Professor Elizeus Rutebemberwa, the Deputy Dean, School of Public Health moderates the session.

According to Dr. Sarah Byakika, the Commissioner Health Services Planning, Financing, and Policy at the Ministry of Health, there is a need to evaluate program indicators on a regular basis.

“The challenge is that when it comes to monitoring and evaluation, and following up on why we are not achieving targets, there is a big gap. We produce annual sector performance reports but don’t give time to reviewing this performance. People always just go back home and wait for the next report,” remarked Byakika.

Further adding; “We are good at designing policies but are struggling when it comes to learning from them.”

Dr. Sarah Byakika, the Commissioner Health Services Planning, Financing, and Policy at the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Sarah Byakika, the Commissioner Health Services Planning, Financing, and Policy at the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Moses Walakira, the family planning program specialist at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) decried the absence of a joint multi-sectoral action plan when it comes to addressing RMNCAH issues.

“How do we work collaboratively to address structural barriers? Who are the gatekeepers? And how do we target them together? Harmonization of perspectives and commitments at different levels is so important, otherwise, we shall remain fragmented in our policy implementation,” said Dr. Walakira.

Dr. Moses Walakira, the family planning programme specialist at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Dr. Moses Walakira, the family planning programme specialist at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Ms. Friday Madinah, a Senior Youth Officer from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, advises that when dealing with issues related to young people, women, children, and people with disabilities, the Ministry of Health should involve the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, as they also have the necessary linkages and structures to assist in implementing these policies.

Ms. Friday Madinah, a Senior Youth Officer from the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development speaking at the event.
Ms. Friday Madinah, a Senior Youth Officer from the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development speaking at the event.

 “When issues of young people, women, children and even those of people with disabilities are being handled, it is mostly the Ministry of Health taking charge yet we at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development also have the linkages and structures to help in implementing these policies. Please bring us on board, and make use of our competencies in these areas,” says Madinah.

Dr. Olive Sentumbwe, Family Health, and Population Adviser, at the World Health Organization (WHO), also underscores the need for a platform for the RMNCAH team to utilize in discussions with the other key players in regard to the kind of support they can provide.

Dr. Olive Sentumbwe, Family Health and Population Adviser, at the World Health Organization (WHO) speaks at the partners engagement.
Dr. Olive Sentumbwe, Family Health and Population Adviser, at the World Health Organization (WHO) speaks at the partners engagement.

“The platform is crucial when it comes to accountability; following up/asking other sectors, and Ministries whether our policies and action points are being implemented. We also need different platforms at the different levels of government so there is an understanding of policies and their implementation processes by the different beneficiaries,” she said.

According to Dr. Jessica Nsungwa, the Commissioner for Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health of Uganda, accountability ought to be mutual in order for policies to be successful.

“Government should be accountable to its people, but the people also need to be accountable to the government. For example, we bought a bunch of COVID-19 vaccines using government money but people refused to come for them and some of those doses ended up expiring,” Dr. Nsungwa attests.

Dr. Jessica Nsungwa, the Commissioner for Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health of Uganda.
Dr. Jessica Nsungwa, the Commissioner for Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health of Uganda.

The Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng reported in June 2022 that 2.6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine expired due to a lack of interest and misinformation. This highlights the need to improve cooperation and coordination between the public, private sectors, and community to improve access to maternal, newborn, sexual, and reproductive health.

Participants holding a discussion at the RMNCAH partners' engagement meeting.
Participants holding a discussion at the RMNCAH partners’ engagement meeting.

Hon. Dr. Bhoka Didi George, a public health specialist, area MP for Obongi County in Obongi District, and a member of the Committee on Health in Parliament reminded the team that the current public health law in Uganda is obsolete, dating back to the 1930s.

“From a legal and regulatory framework point of view, there is a lot of room for improvement. What we have is a national policy, not a law. Therefore, we cannot hold the government accountable in case they fail to deliver on Maternal, Newborn, Sexual, and Reproductive Health for example. We need an enabling legal and regulatory framework,” Hon. Dr. Bhoka.

Hon. Dr. Bhoka Didi George, a public health specialist, area MP for Obongi County in Obongi District, and a member of the Committee on Health in Parliament.
Hon. Dr. Bhoka Didi George, a public health specialist, area MP for Obongi County in Obongi District, and a member of the Committee on Health in Parliament.

Dr. Richard Mugahi Adyeeri, the Assistant Commissioner Ministry of Health in charge of Reproductive Health advises the localization of policies to suit Uganda’s population needs at the implementation of RMNCAH services.

“One district with five million people, but only one DHO [District Health Officer] can’t have the same issues as a district with only 60,000 people for example. Let us have policies that are not only culturally, but also socially sound,” Dr. Mugahi said.

Dr. Richard Mugahi Adyeeri, the Assistant Commissioner Ministry of Health in charge of Reproductive Health.
Dr. Richard Mugahi Adyeeri, the Assistant Commissioner Ministry of Health in charge of Reproductive Health.

Prof. Ibingira stresses that the engagement was quite central to the responsibility of individual stakeholders, which is proper service delivery for the health improvement of Ugandans.  

“You have given us a lot of information on the issues we are tasked with, regarding policy formulation and implementation. We are now going to do the analysis by looking at the different existing policies so we can come up with strategies instrumental to accelerating policy improvement. We hope a lot is going to change, and that other countries will learn from us. Thank you very much,” Prof. Ibingira.

The CPIA partnership operates in five countries and is coordinated by the UNU-IIGH, which leads to the conceptualization and evaluation of the program’s model. Makerere University leads the implementation of the CPIA model and operational plan in Uganda, and the project aims to benefit staff and students through visiting fellowships, internships, and Ph.D. research opportunities.

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Call for Abstracts: Digital Health Africa 2025

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Call for Abstracts: Digital Health Africa 2025 Conference, 3-4 September 2025.

The Digital Health Africa 2025 Conference will provide practical insights in the potential applications of digital technologies, using maternal and child health, as important examples. Topics of interest will include patient registries, safety signals, vaccine use in pregnancy/breastfeeding, labelling of vaccines in pregnancy, emerging infections and antibiotic resistance, telemedicine, pharmacometric modelling, precision medicine, medicines regulation, ethical and legal aspects, and capability enhancement.

Applying an integrated multi-site face-to-face and remote format, this hybrid Conference will use digital tools to allow delegates and speakers from three different regions, South Africa, Uganda and Germany, as well as fully virtual participants to engage with one another. This will offer a nexus for collaboration and networking to promote partnerships among local and international stakeholders as well as capacity building for young scientists. Delegates will have the opportunity to engage with experts from industry, academia, healthcare providers, government and regulatory agencies as well as patient representatives to learn from one another and to gain valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in digital health.

Abstracts should fit into one of these categories:

  1. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) & Digital Innovation
  2. Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
  3. Digital Health Systems & Scaling
  4. Governance, Data Management & Interoperability
  5. Artificial Intelligence in Health & Research
  6. Pharmacometrics & Digital Tools
  7. Case Studies & Lessons Learned
  8. Cross-cutting & Strategic Perspectives

Submission deadline: 31st July 2025.

Accepted abstracts will be presented as interactive posters:

  • a physical poster presentation at one of the conference sites
  • an e-poster (digital version of your physical poster for sharing online)
  • a 3-minute recorded presentation to accompany the poster.

Presenters with accepted posters will be offered complementary conference registration.

Submit your poster abstract here: https://forms.gle/aXYHeZSwX2EhEUas5

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Emorimor Calls for Makerere to Upgrade Parenting Course

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Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Principal CHUSS represented the Vice Chancellor at the event. Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions 12-week course, Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), College of Health Sciences (CHS) graduation presided over by The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, 11th June 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, has called on Makerere University to elevate the Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions course into a fully-fledged programme. This, he argued, would strengthen the capacity of practitioners implementing parenting interventions across Uganda.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony held on 11th June 2025 at Makerere University where 35 practitioners completed the 12-week course, Emorimor Papa Emolot emphasized the transformative power of effective parenting. He urged aspiring parents and advocates of the Parenting for Respectability model to enroll in the course.

Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala handing over a gift to the Queen of Teso as the Emorimor and other officials witness. Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions 12-week course, Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), College of Health Sciences (CHS) graduation presided over by The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, 11th June 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala handing over a gift to the Queen of Teso as the Emorimor and other officials witness.

Citing the impact in his own sub-county and village, the cultural leader revealed that over 800 families had already benefited from the programme.

“We now see peace and love in homes where there was once conflict. Without good parenting, you risk raising animals instead of children,” he passionately stated.

He praised the course for equipping practitioners, policymakers, and researchers with the skills needed to design culturally sensitive, evidence-based parenting interventions tailored to Uganda’s context. Among the notable graduates was Her Royal Majesty Juliet Among Emolot Atomeileng Akaliat Toto, who reaffirmed her commitment to advancing family-strengthening initiatives using the skills and knowledge acquired.

Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala handing over a gift to a female participant. Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions 12-week course, Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), College of Health Sciences (CHS) graduation presided over by The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, 11th June 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala handing over a gift to a female participant.

Dr. Godfrey Siu, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader at Makerere University, described the course as a timely intervention. During this remarks, Dr. Siu described the event as a significant milestone in advancing the field of evidence based parenting intervention and family strengthening in Uganda.

“This course is meant to empower you as practitioners, policy makers and all those involved in development and implementation of parenting work. It provides both theoretical knowledge and practical tools essential for developing high quality interventions”, Dr. Siu noted. He urged the pioneer group to carry forward the expertise as champions of designing, adaptation and implementation of evidence parenting interventions.

Dr. Godfrey Siu, Senior Lecturer at CHDC and Course Leader. Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions 12-week course, Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), College of Health Sciences (CHS) graduation presided over by The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, 11th June 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Godfrey Siu, Senior Lecturer at CHDC and Course Leader.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Dr. Aggrey David Kibenge, Juliana Naumo, Commissioner for Culture and Family Affairs, said the course supports the government’s agenda to address negative social outcomes affecting families.

“By grounding parenting in research, harmonizing policy with practice, and advocating for equity, we will ensure no family is left behind,” she said. “Cross-sectoral collaboration is key to unlocking transformative change.”

Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala handing over a gift to a female participant. Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions 12-week course, Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), College of Health Sciences (CHS) graduation presided over by The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, 11th June 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala handing over a gift to a female participant.

Ms. Naumo highlighted the government’s commitment—both technical and financial—to support outstanding student projects from the course. She stressed the importance of equipping professionals with the skills to bridge gaps between research and practice for consistent, high-quality parenting support across Uganda. While delivering the Vice chancellors speech by Dr. Helen Nambalirwa, Principal of the CHUSS, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the graduates as a beacon of hope.

“At a time when parenting faces challenges like digital distractions, changing societal norms, and a rising mental health crisis, Makerere reaffirms its support for interventions that drive the societal transformation we desire,” Nawangwe stated.

Prof. Richard Idro, Deputy Principal of the College of Health Sciences, acknowledged the growing parenting challenges in Uganda and the region, adding that the course was a major step towards standardizing parenting interventions nationwide.

Deputy Principal CHS, Assoc. Professor Richard Idro welcomes the Queen of Teso (also one of the course participants). Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions 12-week course, Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), College of Health Sciences (CHS) graduation presided over by The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, 11th June 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Deputy Principal CHS, Assoc. Professor Richard Idro welcomes the Queen of Teso (also one of the course participants).

He applauded the Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC) for leading this paramount and critical initiative.

Mr. Hosea Katende, Course Administrator at CHDC, emphasized the importance of integrating systematic methods, ethical principles, robust evidence, and collaboration to create lasting impact in parenting.

Course Participants with Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala and Assoc. Professor Richard Idro-in blue checked coat cutting cake. Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions 12-week course, Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), College of Health Sciences (CHS) graduation presided over by The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, 11th June 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Course Participants with Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala and Assoc. Professor Richard Idro-in blue checked coat cutting cake.

Dr. Aggrey Dhabangi, Lecturer at CHDC, representing Dr. Herbert Muyinda, Director of CHDC, acknowledged the contributions of partners such as the ELMA Foundation and Echidna Giving for their financial and capacity-building support. He also appreciated the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, among other stakeholders, for their technical guidance in the programme’s successful implementation.

Dr. Dhabangi extended gratitude to cultural institutions, especially the Kingdom of Teso, and acknowledged growing collaborations with other cultural institutions such as the Kingdom of Acholi, in the shared mission of building strong families as the foundation of Uganda’s future.

Participants of the Course. Science of Designing, Adaptation, and Implementation of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions 12-week course, Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), College of Health Sciences (CHS) graduation presided over by The Iteso Cultural Leader, His Highness Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, 11th June 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Participants of the Course.

He extended his heartfelt gratitude to cultural institutions, especially the Kingdom of Teso, and others kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Acholi, in building Uganda’s future through creating strong families. Nuruh Mbalyowere, a Rehabilitation and Reintegration Officer with the Uganda Prisons Service, was honored for developing the best parenting intervention titled “Parenting Behind Prison Bars.” She expressed her intention to apply the knowledge gained both at home and in her workplace.

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MakSPH, DJC Launch Short Course on Health Communication

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The heads of the Department of Journalism and Communication and the Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences (centre) with participants from the first cohort of the Health Communication short course at Makerere University. June 5, 2025. Intensive one-month course on Health Communication, first cohort June 5 to July 24, 2025, jointly offered by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)’s Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences (CHBS) and the Department of Journalism and Communication (DJC), School of Languages, Literature, and Communication (SLLC), co-designed in 2024 with support from the Rockefeller Foundation through Amref Health Africa, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Okeya John and Primrose Nabankema

The intensive one-month course, running for the first time from June 5 to July 24, 2025, is jointly offered by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)’s Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences (CHBS) and the Department of Journalism and Communication (DJC) at the School of Languages, Literature, and Communication (SLLC), co-designed in 2024 with support from the Rockefeller Foundation through Amref Health Africa.

It seeks to equip healthcare providers at the community level, public health and environmental health practitioners, communication specialists, health educators, community development officers, social scientists, and policy makers, among others, with strategic communication skills to improve public health messaging, strengthen community engagement, and support evidence-based interventions, ultimately empowering participants to effectively engage communities and improve population health outcomes across Uganda and the region.

Launching the course, the heads of the Department of Journalism and Communication and the Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences noted that participants who complete the short course will gain practical tools to influence behaviour change, build trust, and deliver timely, accurate, and relevant health information to the communities they serve. The first cohort attracted more than 60 applicants, with 36 reporting for the opening in-person session on June 5, 2025, at MakSPH in Mulago. Between now and July, participants will undergo a hands-on, multidisciplinary learning experience within the Certificate in Health Communication and Community Engagement program, which combines theory and practice.

Among the participants in the first cohort of the certificate course, designed as a pilot for the anticipated Master of Health Promotion and Communication to be jointly offered by the two departments at Makerere University, is Ms. Maureen Kisaakye, a medical laboratory technologist specialising in microbiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and currently pursuing a Master’s in Immunology and Clinical Microbiology at Makerere. She is driven by a passion to help reverse the rising tide of AMR, a growing global health threat where drugs that once worked are no longer effective. Kisaakye is particularly concerned about common infections, like urinary tract infections, becoming increasingly resistant and harder to treat.

“I enrolled in this course because I’m an advocate against antimicrobial resistance, and it came at a time when I needed to deepen my knowledge on how to implement our projects more effectively and engage with communities. The experience has broadened my understanding of AMR and its impact on society, and strengthened my passion for community-driven health initiatives and advocacy,” Kisaakye said, explaining why she enrolled for the short course.

Ms. Maureen Kisaakye (in white) during a youth-led community AMR and WASH awareness campaign in informal settlements in Kamwokya, Kampala, on 12th April, 2025. Intensive one-month course on Health Communication, first cohort June 5 to July 24, 2025, jointly offered by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)’s Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences (CHBS) and the Department of Journalism and Communication (DJC), School of Languages, Literature, and Communication (SLLC), co-designed in 2024 with support from the Rockefeller Foundation through Amref Health Africa, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Maureen Kisaakye (in white) during a youth-led community AMR and WASH awareness campaign in informal settlements in Kamwokya, Kampala, on 12th April, 2025.

Kisaakye’s work in antimicrobial resistance extends beyond the lab. Having earned her degree in medical laboratory science from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, she founded Impala Tech Research in 2024 to drive impact and save lives. She has led grassroots AMR campaigns that integrate antimicrobial stewardship with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education in underserved urban communities, including the informal settlements in Kampala. She also has since designed peer-led initiatives that empower university students as AMR Champions, building a network of informed youth advocates. Kisaakye believes the health communication course will sharpen her ability to design and deliver impactful, community-centred interventions in response to the growing threat of drug resistance.

“The department collaborates with many partners within and beyond the University, including the School of Public Health, where we are working to develop the subfield of health communication and promotion. Our goal is to train specialists in this area and build a community of practice, something we have each been doing in our own spaces. There’s a lot of work ahead, and COVID-19 showed us just how urgently we need a generation trained to do this kind of work, and to do it very well,” said Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication, during the opening of the short course on June 5.

Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication, underscored the partnership between DJC and MakSPH as a crucial step toward strengthening public health through strategic communication. June 5th, 2025. Intensive one-month course on Health Communication, first cohort June 5 to July 24, 2025, jointly offered by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)’s Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences (CHBS) and the Department of Journalism and Communication (DJC), School of Languages, Literature, and Communication (SLLC), co-designed in 2024 with support from the Rockefeller Foundation through Amref Health Africa, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication, underscored the partnership between DJC and MakSPH as a crucial step toward strengthening public health through strategic communication. June 5, 2025.

She assured participants they were in good hands and underscored the importance of the partnership between the Department of Journalism and Communication and the School of Public Health, describing it as a vital collaboration that brings together strategic communication and public health expertise. This dynamic, multidisciplinary approach, she noted, is essential to developing practical solutions that empower communities, strengthen health systems, and ultimately improve livelihoods.

The course offers a hands-on, multidisciplinary learning experience, with participants intended to explore key modules including Health Communication and Promotion, Risk Communication, Smart Advocacy, Community Mapping, Community Mobilisation and Empowerment, and Strategies for Community Engagement. The course combines theory with real-world application, and its assessment includes a field-based project and a final exam.

“You are our first cohort. We are seeing the fruits of our efforts in bringing this short course to life. It was born out of a joint initiative to develop a Master’s programme in Health Promotion and Communication,” said Dr. Christine Nalwadda, Head of the Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences. “We carried out extensive consultations with our different key stakeholders during the process and discovered a real need for such a course. It was the stakeholders who even named it; this course name didn’t come from us.”

For Kisaakye, by the end of the course in July, she hopes to have sharpened her skills in health promotion and strategic communication, particularly in crafting targeted messages that help individuals and communities effectively respond to threats such as antimicrobial resistance. She also aims to gain practical experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating community health initiatives that can strengthen her advocacy and drive lasting impact.

Dr. Marjorie Kyomuhendo, one of the course facilitators, engages Mr. Jackson Ssewanyana, a participant in the first cohort of the Certificate in Health Communication and Community Engagement, as Ms. Maureen Kisaakye listens in. June 5, 2025. Intensive one-month course on Health Communication, first cohort June 5 to July 24, 2025, jointly offered by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)’s Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences (CHBS) and the Department of Journalism and Communication (DJC), School of Languages, Literature, and Communication (SLLC), co-designed in 2024 with support from the Rockefeller Foundation through Amref Health Africa, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Marjorie Kyomuhendo, one of the course facilitators, engages Mr. Jackson Ssewanyana, a participant in the first cohort of the Certificate in Health Communication and Community Engagement, as Ms. Maureen Kisaakye listens in. June 5, 2025.

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