Health
NCDs Symposium 2023: Stakeholders Pledge to Work together to Address growing burden in Uganda & Beyond
Stakeholders pledged to work together to address the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Uganda and beyond. The pledge was made at the NCDs Symposium held on Saturday 4th March 2023 and hosted by Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), as a member of the Alliance of Research Universities in Africa (ARUA) NCD Centre of Excellence. The theme of the symposium was ‘Advances in NCD Training, Research and Community Impact’.
Research shows that, globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for a significant proportion of deaths, with 41 million people dying from these chronic diseases each year. NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. The main types of NCD are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
NCDs disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries, where more than three-quarters of global NCD deaths (31.4 million) occur. In Uganda, the number of people living with NCDs has been increasing dramatically, making NCDs a major public health threat. For instance, 74,354 new cases of diabetes were seen at health facilities in Uganda in 2009-10 compared to 58,523 five years earlier showing an increase of 27% (HMIS data 2009/10). In 2013, the Uganda Diabetes Association revealed that over 200,000 children had diabetes and expressed fears the number could be higher because many of the children do not report to the hospital for diagnosis.
In her remarks as host, Professor Damalie Nakanjako, The Principal College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, in a special way welcomed participants to the Symposium and noted that the purpose of the event was to showcase the latest advances in NCD training, research, and community impact, and to provide a platform for stakeholders to engage and collaborate on issues related to NCDs.
Citing WHO data, Professor Nakanjako noted that NCDs represent the largest cause of mortality in adults with 86% of these premature deaths occurring in middle-income countries such as Uganda. She further pointed out that the incidence of NCDs among children, particularly diabetes, is increasing, indicating the urgent need for attention.
Professor Nakanjako stressed the importance of data-driven interventions, knowledge translation, and a multi-sectoral approach in addressing NCDs, and called for more investment in NCD research, collaborations, and regular exercise among children. She also reiterated Makerere University’s commitment to addressing NCDs through continuous advances in NCD training, research, and community engagement.
WHO Key Facts On Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally.
- Each year, 17 million people die from a NCD before age 70; 86% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Of all NCD deaths, 77% are in low- and middle-income countries.
- Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes).
- These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
- Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from an NCD.
- Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.
During his speech, Dr. Fred Bukachi, the Director of ARUA Centre of Excellence for NCDs, highlighted the urgent need to address the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region and beyond through research, capacity building, and dissemination of findings. The Centre’s main objective is to develop scientific evidence for NCD policies, prevention, management, and control, while engaging with communities. To achieve this, Dr. Bukachi presented several strategies, including the creation of multi-disciplinary research programs, a training research and mobility program, an NCD research and data repository for Africa, and an annual international NCD symposium.
In addition, Dr. Bukachi emphasized the Centre’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of people in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond by addressing the NCD epidemic through research and capacity building. The audience responded positively to his presentation, with many impressed by the Centre’s ambitious goals and plans for tackling NCDs in Africa.
In his remarks, read by Dr. Frank Mugabe, Dr. Oyoo Charles Akiya, the Commissioner of Health Services-NCD Ministry of Health, stated that non-communicable diseases and injuries (NCDIs) are on the rise in Uganda. He revealed that the burden of NCDs has more than doubled in the last 20 years, with 22% of adults at risk of premature death (30-70 years) as of 2016. NCDs account for 41% of all deaths in the country.
Dr. Akiya cited the NCD risk factor survey and other studies, highlighting heavy alcohol consumption in men and women, consumption of unhealthy diets, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and obesity as some of the problems that need urgent attention. Data on high burden NCD conditions reveal that 24% of adults in Uganda suffer from hypertension requiring treatment, with only 24.3% accessing treatment. The prevalence of diabetes is estimated at 1.4%, and there is a high prevalence of sickle cell disease in the central, eastern, and northern parts of the country, with 1.3% of the population having the trait.
Mental health disorders, especially depression, are also prevalent, with over one million Ugandans experiencing depression.
On government efforts towards NCDS, Akiya revealed that Uganda is conducting the 2nd risk factor survey thanks to the World Health Organization and the School of Public Health.
Moving forward, Dr. Akiya proposed priority areas for research and training ; including the need to quantify the level of misinformation around diabetes treatment, implement preventive programs for known carrier communities of sickle cell disease, determine the cause and risk factors for increased cases of gastrointestinal cancer in Southwestern Uganda, understand the biomass gap and its correlation to chronic respiratory diseases, determine the gap in mental health service provision among general health workers, reduce the cost of kidney chronic disease transplant services, increase awareness of cardiovascular disease screening, and determine and document the cost of road traffic-associated injuries to the health sector and the country to halt these conditions.
In his remarks as Chief Guest, Professor Umar Kakumba, on behalf of Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, commended academia for their role in addressing emerging health threats, adding that Makerere University, as a research-led institution, is committed to supporting NCD activities through training, research, and community engagement. He emphasized that beyond training and research, there is a need to go to communities and share knowledge, as there is a gap in knowledge uptake around NCDs.
Professor Kakumba also highlighted the role of the private sector in supporting these causes, as a healthy population is key to their business success. He thanked Arua partners for taking the lead in addressing NCDs, which are responsible for 71% of global deaths and 85% of premature deaths in low and middle-income countries, including Uganda.
Moving forward, Professor Kakumba proposed a collaborative effort among stakeholders to address NCDs comprehensively. He emphasized the need for a holistic approach that involves the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and academia to address the growing burden of NCDs in Uganda.
He reiterated the commitment of Makerere University in supporting NCD activities through research, training, and community engagement, and he called on other institutions to join in this effort to achieve a healthier population and a more prosperous country.
In her remarks, Dr. Kasule Hasifa discussed the priority areas for research and training in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), including the need to prevent and control NCDs through public health interventions and policies, address the social determinants of NCDs such as poverty and education, improve healthcare accessibility and quality particularly in low- and middle-income countries, strengthen health systems to better respond to the growing burden of NCDs, and promote research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of NCDs.
The event featured presentations from several NCD groups at MakCHS, including Cardiovascular Diseases, Renal Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus & Other Endocrine Disorders, Cancers, Mental Health Disorders, Respiratory Diseases and Lung Health, Sickle Cell Disease, and Other Haematological Conditions, as well as Interactions between NCDS and Infectious Diseases.
The symposium was attended by researchers, students, academicians, policymakers, practitioners, and health advocates with a special interest in NCDs. The day was crowned off with cake-cutting and all participants pledging to work together in addressing NCDs.
At the symposium, stakeholders agreed that it is crucial to work collaboratively to comprehensively address the growing burden of NCDs in Uganda. They recognized the need to implement preventive programs, increase awareness of cardiovascular disease screening, improve healthcare accessibility and quality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and promote research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of NCDs. It was emphasized that a holistic approach involving the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and academia is necessary to achieve a healthier population and a more prosperous country.
A major milestone in Uganda’s efforts to reduce newborn mortality was marked on June 17, 2026, when Makerere University College of Health Sciences graduated the first cohort of fellows from the Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine Fellowship Programme.
The pioneering cohort of five specialists completed the two-year sub-specialty fellowship designed to equip pediatricians with advanced competencies in newborn care, leadership, research, advocacy, and neonatal intensive care. The programme is accredited by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council and is implemented through a partnership involving Makerere University, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kawempe National Referral Hospital, St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, Seed Global Health and Elma Philanthropies.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Principal of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Bruce Kirenga, described the occasion as a significant achievement for Makerere University and Uganda’s health sector.
“Today is a very important occasion for the College of Health Sciences, and indeed the health sector in Uganda,” he said, noting that the fellowship was established to develop highly skilled specialists capable of responding to increasingly complex healthcare needs.
Prof. Kirenga emphasized that Uganda’s changing disease patterns, increasing life expectancy, and growing demand for specialized healthcare services have created an urgent need for super-specialized training programmes. He challenged the graduates to use their newly acquired knowledge and skills to improve newborn health outcomes and save lives.
Addressing Uganda’s Neonatal Health Burden
Presenting an overview of the fellowship programme, the Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Prof. Victor Musiime, highlighted the urgent need for specialists in neonatal care.
He noted that neonatal deaths, those occurring within the first 28 days of life, remain one of the leading contributors to child mortality in Uganda. The country continues to face a shortage of professionals with advanced skills in neonatal care, research, leadership, and advocacy.
“The demand for neonatologists remains extremely high,” Prof. Musiime explained, adding that the Ministry of Health envisions deploying neonatologists to regional referral hospitals and other health facilities across the country.
The fellowship programme was established to build a critical mass of neonatologists, strengthen care for high-risk newborns, develop expertise in advanced neonatal procedures, and produce leaders and advocates for newborn health.
A unique feature of the programme is its strong clinical apprenticeship model, complemented by international placements at leading institutions, including Yashoda Hospital in India and Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ministry Commits to Expanding Neonatal Services
Representing the Ministry of Health, Commissioner for Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Richard Mugahi, congratulated the graduates and commended Makerere University and its partners for establishing the fellowship programme.
Dr. Mugahi revealed that the five graduates join another five neonatologists already serving in Uganda, bringing the country’s total number of neonatologists to ten. He described the locally trained fellows as a critical addition to Uganda’s healthcare workforce.
“The Ministry’s vision is to have a neonatologist at every Regional Referral Hospital,” he said, adding that Uganda aims to have at least 14 neonatologists by 2030.
He further outlined government plans to strengthen newborn care through the establishment of specialized neonatal care units at different levels of the health system, ranging from Health Centre IVs to Regional Referral Hospitals and super-specialized facilities such as Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital.
Dr. Mugahi assured the graduates that the Ministry of Health is investing in equipment and infrastructure to support advanced neonatal services and pledged to advocate for improved career progression pathways for super-specialized health professionals.
Makerere’s Commitment to Advanced Medical Training
Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, congratulated the fellows and their families on the achievement.
He praised the College of Health Sciences for its contribution to national development and noted that programmes such as the Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine Fellowship enhance Makerere University‘s position as a leader in knowledge generation and societal transformation.
Prof. Alinaitwe paid tribute to the graduates’ families, particularly their spouses and children, for supporting them through the demanding years of specialist training.
“The work you do is truly priceless,” he told the fellows. “The contribution you make to humanity is immeasurable.”
Graduates Hailed as Future Leaders in Newborn Health
In attendance were the director of Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital, Dr. Sam Ononge, Deputy Director Mulago Referral Hospital, Dr. John Sekabira, Dr. Mary Nyanzi from Kawempe Referral Hospital, Sr. Dr. Assumpta Nabawanuka, the Director of St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, Dr. Irene Atuhaire from Seed Global Health Uganda and Ms. Ritah Akankwasa from ELMA Philanthropies Services, who partnered with the college in training the fellows.
The training partners described the graduates as pioneers who had demonstrated exceptional resilience and commitment throughout the rigorous training programme.
They applauded their contributions to patient care, teaching, mentorship, and supportive supervision, noting that their work had already contributed to improvements in maternal and newborn health services in Kampala and other regions of Uganda.
“As Kawempe National Referral Hospital, we have been privileged to witness your growth, not only as clinicians but also as leaders and advocates for newborn health,” Dr. Nyanzi said.
The graduates
- Dr. Tumwebaze Anita Kiiza Muhumuza
- Dr. Ediamu Tom Didimus
- Dr. Kezia Kibedi
- Dr. Hellen Kyokutamba
- Dr. Gerald Ojambo
For most people, the thought of death evokes grief, fear, or loss. But at Makerere University‘s College of Health Sciences, death became a lesson in gratitude, service, and humanity as students, faculty, and health professionals gathered to honour a unique group of teachers, individuals who continued to educate future doctors long after their passing.
At the Second Cadaver Commemoration Ceremony, on June 11, 2026, organized by the Makerere Students’ Anatomy Society, candles flickered softly as students paid tribute to what they fondly call their “silent teachers”, the human bodies that make it possible for medical students to learn anatomy and develop the skills that will one day save lives.
Standing before fellow students and guests, Chairperson of the Makerere Students’ Anatomy Society, Joseph Mwera, reminded the audience that the ceremony was not about mourning the dead.
“Today, we gather not only to remember those whose bodies have contributed to medical education but also to celebrate their lives,” he said. “Their legacy continues to inspire and serve humanity even after death.”
For many medical students, the anatomy laboratory is where they first encounter the reality of the profession they have chosen. Behind every lesson on muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and organs is a person who once lived, loved, worked, and contributed to society.
That reality was brought to life by the keynote speaker, Rev. Prof. Dr. Samuel Luboga, a surgeon, anatomist, and priest who spent nearly four decades teaching anatomy at Makerere University.
Reflecting on his own days as a medical student, Prof. Luboga recalled spending long hours in the anatomy laboratory after his classmates had gone home, studying human anatomy in detail.
Many people wondered whether he was afraid to spend so much time among cadavers.
His answer was simple.
“These men and women had lived productive lives. They had raised families, served their communities, and contributed to Uganda’s development. Even in death, they continued to teach us the science and art of medicine. They had earned my admiration, my respect, and my gratitude.”
His remarks resonated deeply with the students in attendance.
In a society where discussions about death and body donation remain sensitive, Prof. Luboga challenged participants to view the individuals in anatomy laboratories not as lifeless remains but as people who continue to contribute to humanity through education.
“The silent teachers before us today made learning possible,” he said. “The impact of their contribution is reflected in the doctors you have become and those you are yet to become. It is reflected in the countless patients you will treat and the innumerable lives you will save.”
Legal framework to guide body donation
The ceremony also sparked important conversations about the future of anatomical education in Uganda.
Head of the Department of Anatomy, Prof. Elisa Mwaka, highlighted the need for a national legal framework to guide body donation and anatomical research. While anatomy training in Uganda has traditionally relied on unclaimed bodies obtained through hospitals, he noted that many countries are increasingly embracing voluntary body donation programmes.
According to Prof. Mwaka, building public trust will be essential if Uganda is to establish a sustainable body donation programme.
“We must help the public understand how human bodies contribute to medical education, how they are treated with dignity, and how appropriate legal safeguards can protect donors and their families,” he said.
He revealed that discussions are already underway to develop an Anatomy Act that would provide a modern legal and ethical framework for the use of human remains in medical education and research.
Representing the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Julius Kikooma described the ceremony as much more than an academic event.
“Behind every competent healthcare professional stands an invaluable source of learning that often remains unseen and unheard,” he said. “These individuals taught us without speaking a single word. Though they are no longer able to communicate, their contribution continues to educate, inspire, and shape future generations of healthcare professionals.”
He commended the medical students for organizing what remains the only cadaver commemoration ceremony of its kind in Uganda, noting that the initiative reflects the values of compassion, professionalism, and respect for human dignity that are at the heart of medicine.
The event concluded with recognition of past and present leaders of the Department of Anatomy whose contributions have shaped anatomical education at Makerere University over the decades. Students also honoured exceptional educators who have inspired generations of future health professionals.
Yet the most powerful tribute of the day was reserved for those who could not be present to receive awards or applause.
The silent teachers
Individuals whose names may never appear in textbooks, whose stories may never be fully known, but whose gift continues to echo through hospital wards, operating theatres, and communities across Uganda.
Every doctor trained, every surgery performed, and every life saved carries a small part of their legacy.
And for one day at Makerere University, students paused to say the words that are rarely spoken aloud: Thank you.
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