Connect with us

Health

Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze explains how researchers can work more effectively with policymakers

Published

3 years ago

on

Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze talks to the media. Photo taken by Davidson Ndyabahika on April 27th 2023 at Makerere University CTFII. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze talks to the media. Photo taken by Davidson Ndyabahika on April 27th 2023 at Makerere University CTFII.

In advance of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting, we spoke with the Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health about how researchers and academics build trust and gain influence with decision makers

Ahead of this year’s World Health Summit Regional Meeting, we spoke with Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health, about the theme of this year’s event – bridging the science-to-policy gap for global health.

Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, who has collaborated with government health officials to develop evidence-based policies from HIV to COVID-19 and maternal and child health, said that researchers and policymakers can, among other things, “interpret the data together, make sure the interpretation is appropriate, and tease out the actions they’re going to take.”

Dr. Wanyenze, who is also a principal investigator for Exemplars in Global Health’s COVID-19 research, added: “Let the primary focus not just be the publication [of the research], but also, responding to [policymakers] needs and giving them information that they can use.”

Across sub-Saharan Africa, research institutions have been partnering with policymakers to help inform policy decisions for decades. For example, the Infectious Diseases Research Institute in Uganda and the Uganda Virus Research Institute supported the Ministry of Health through the COVID-19 pandemic and recent Ebola outbreak. In fact, during the 2022 Ebola epidemic, the Uganda Virus Research Institute repurposed some of its research laboratories to support the government’s disease response and diagnostics efforts.

Many of the continent’s universities, including the School of Public Health at the University of Kinshasa, the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania, the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, and the University of Zimbabwe, also have strong collaborative relationship with health officials. The University of Zimbabwe, for example, embeds some of its students within the country’s Ministry of Health.

The Makerere University School of Public Health has a similar track record of partnering with and helping inform policymakers in Uganda. To explore how researchers and academics can establish mutually beneficial relationships with policymakers ahead of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting on April 13 in Washington, D.C., Dr. Wanyenze offered her thoughts in an interview

Researchers often struggle to identify the best moment to reach out to policymakers. What does your experience tell you?

Dr. Wanyenze: You don’t wait until you’ve conceptualized the questions, then go to them when you are at the tail-end or when you are presenting the findings. After you present, they’ll ask, Did you also do this?’ And you’ll say, “No, I didn’t.’ And then they’ll ask, ‘Did you also do that?’ And you’ll say, ‘No, I didn’t do that either.’
Sometimes I find that we make a lot of assumptions about what they need to know. Before we even begin to craft our research questions, we need to understand what they’re struggling with and ensure that we are aligned to their needs as we gather evidence.

I’ll give you an example: several years ago, we were beginning to work out how we can move from traditional HIV testing methods to self-testing. We were working on designing a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of this. We had to speak with the Ministry of Health to understand: what is it that they worry about? What is it that would make them not want to adopt this policy?

We also didn’t have just the [Ugandan] Ministry of Health, we had other stakeholders, including people living with HIV, women living with HIV, and we could hear their voices loudly. ‘People will fight. We shall have divorces. We shall have violence.’ We had to think through carefully, if we are going to do this trial, we have to have sufficient mechanisms to deal with potential risks.

At the same time, we must collect this information in a bit more detail so that at the end of the day, we are not just saying, ‘This trial works,’ but we are saying, ‘It won’t cause harm, or if it causes harm, this is how you can mitigate it.’ We had to carefully do this trial with sufficient safety nets to respond to these issues. We had to think about the referral resources, for example, should we have any violence.

Then they told us, ‘We want to know the cost.’ Initially, we had not planned to include costing, but we had to integrate something that can support them to be able to make that decision.

Another example is research my team did on the impact of COVID on maintaining essential health services in Uganda. We presented to the Ministry of Health and its partners our proposed objectives and selected disease indicators to track in the maintenance of essential health services. They informed us that other partners were already working on some of the indicators such as HIV, TB, and maternal health. Rather than duplicate these indicators, they advised us to focus on other indicators which had not been addressed. We agreed to reorient the focus with the resources we had, to harmonize our work with other partners and ensure responsiveness to the needs of the Ministry of Health. Later, when the EHS continuity committee published updated guidelines on maintaining essential health services, it included recommendations based on our research.

How do you manage policymakers’ shifting needs and incorporate their feedback throughout the lifetime of your research?

Dr. Wanyenze: Interim feedback loops are critical to being sensitive to their needs. The challenge is you might not be funded to do everything they ask you to do, but sometimes you find things that are easy to integrate without necessarily spending much. It might involve a few more questions that you can address, with the resources that you have, and produce additional evidence that is needed by the ministry. The benefits are tremendous. By engaging them, they develop a sense of ownership. So that they feel, ‘This is our research.’ And they actually begin to say, ‘When are you giving us the results?’

How should researchers think about reporting out their results to policymakers?


Dr. Wanyenze: Working with policymakers through interpreting the implications of your work is really important. It can help when planning how to disseminate the work so that it is more meaningful.

For one project funded by the Global Fund – a partnership to enhance analytical capacity and data use in Eastern and Southern Africa called PERSuADE – we prioritized the areas for analysis with the Ministry of Health and then we worked with their teams and generated the evidence they needed. Then we were able to track what actions they’ve taken based on the findings.

If you work with the Ministry of Health and any other partners and you use their data or involve them in the data collection, analysis and interpretation, make sure that you include them as co-authors. A common challenge we have experienced is researchers who work with the ministries and other stakeholders publishing the findings without including them as authors or even informing them and sharing the findings.

How do things change if you are working with routine data the government collects?

Dr. Wanyenze: If you are working with data that the government routinely collects, you need to be engaged with policymakers in terms of how you’re going to use that data and that you are actually going to add value and do a good quality analysis that will help them answer their questions. Also, you need to be clear that you will not use their data for anything else without their permission. Sometimes researchers will get this data and they’re flying off and doing other things than what was originally agreed upon. And before you know it, they’ve published it without the government knowing. You need to ensure trust and a partnership that’s respectful.

What advice do you have for research organizations that currently do not have a relationship with the government but want to develop one. How can they establish a mutually beneficial and respectful relationship?

Dr. Wanyenze: Whether you want to work with a ministry of health or an NGO, the process is the same. You need to engage with them to clarify the partnership and expectations. There has to be benefit to the ministry or the NGO to want to work with you. The benefit often will be that you’re generating evidence that will add value to their decisions in a timely manner. You need to be responsive to their needs, to the extent possible.

How can researchers balance the need for quality research, which takes time, and the needs of policymakers, who often have pressing and time-sensitive needs.

Dr. Wanyenze: Timeliness is very important, but it should not compromise quality of the research. Sometimes the research takes long, and researchers will share their findings with policymakers when the findings have been overtaken by events and are no longer relevant. We sometimes prioritize some of their most critical questions and share preliminary findings as we finalize analyses for the rest of the study objectives and papers. Holding back the dissemination until the papers are written is a missed opportunity—we lose the opportunity for feedback from stakeholders to enhance the interpretation of the findings and to use the findings.

by Exemplars News — Originally published by exemplars.health

See original article here; 

Mak Editor

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Health

SIHI Uganda Turning Community-Led Solutions into Better Health

Published

3 hours ago

on

July 17, 2026

By

Providing Opportunities for Women in Entrepreneurship and Reproductive Health (POWER) is a Young Women Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program that nurtures and empowers women to lead, innovate, and build sustainable startups in SRHR/FP. SIHI, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Community-led innovations across Uganda are improving access to healthcare, reducing financial barriers and responding to needs that conventional services do not always reach. The Uganda Case Compendium 2026, published by the Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) Uganda Hub at Makerere University School of Public Health, documents these solutions, their results and opportunities for scale.

Established in 2017, SIHI Uganda identifies, studies and supports locally developed health innovations. By 2026, the Hub had documented 42 projects through research examining their impact, enabling factors and scalability. It has also convened seven national stakeholder workshops and established a fellowship programme that equips innovators with skills in project management, research, entrepreneurship, communication, fundraising and environmental impact assessment.

The compendium presents evidence of reach and impact. The Ishaka Health Plan has enrolled more than 5,000 people in community-based health insurance, enabling over 4,000 members to access healthcare annually. In Kiryandongo, the Opit Kic Widows Group trained 402 volunteers who have provided health information to more than 6,030 refugee and host-community households. Among people living with HIV who received group support psychotherapy, 98% were depression-free after six months. In Mayuge, two sickle cell clinics have been established, 12,500 children screened and 282 enrolled in continuing care, contributing to a reported 53% increase in enrolment.

Spanning maternal and child health, HIV, mental health, disability, gender-based violence, health financing, diagnostics and palliative care, the compendium provides evidence to inform investment, policy uptake and the responsible scale-up of locally grounded solutions.

Read the full report:

SIHI-BOOK_CASE-COMPENDIUM_2026Download

View on MakSPH

John Okeya

Continue Reading

Health

Call For Applications: ACT-PREP Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (2)

Published

4 hours ago

on

July 17, 2026

By

Kickoff training for teams tasked with collecting data for the Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) 2024-2025, held 19th May 2025, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Auditorium, Main Campus, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Background

Makerere University School of Public Health invites applications for two postdoctoral research fellowships under the ACT-PREP Project, a five-year, Africa-led initiative funded by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking. The project seeks to strengthen sustainable, context-responsive research capacity for epidemic preparedness and response across sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

  • Each fellowship is a full-time, 18-month appointment based at MakSPH in Kampala. Applicants must apply for one position only. Eligible candidates should be early-career researchers who are nationals of, or based in, sub-Saharan Africa and hold a PhD in a relevant discipline or have completed a post-Master’s Field Epidemiology Training Programme. Applicants should demonstrate a record of peer-reviewed publication and research dissemination. Experience in policy review, qualitative or mixed-methods research and stakeholder engagement is an advantage. Successful fellows will receive mentorship from senior researchers, collaborate with an international consortium of African and European institutions, and contribute to policy-relevant research on epidemic preparedness. A stipend commensurate with qualifications and experience will be provided. Applications should include a motivation letter of up to two pages, a two-page research concept, a detailed curriculum vitae with a publication list and contacts for at least two referees, and at least one recommendation letter.

Qualifications and Desirable Qualities

  • Eligible candidates should be early-career researchers who are nationals of, or based in, sub-Saharan Africa and hold a PhD in a relevant discipline or have completed a post-Master’s Field Epidemiology Training Programme.

How to Apply

Submit applications to recruitment@musph.ac.ug by 7 August 2026, quoting “ACT-PREP Postdoc – Position 1 or 2” in the email subject line. Interviews are expected around 14 August 2026 in Kampala.

Qualified women and applicants from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Download the full call for detailed requirements and application guidance.

Application Deadline: August 07, 2026

Makerere-SPH-ACT-PREP-Call-for-PostDoc-applications-2Download

View on MakSPH

John Okeya

Continue Reading

Health

College of Health Sciences Inspires Future Health Professionals at Career Fair

Published

4 days ago

on

July 13, 2026

By

Prof. Bruce Kirenga addresses the senior six students and their teachers on 10th July 2026. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Career Fair for Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School guiding senior six science students on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College, 10th July 2026, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) on July 10, 2026, welcomed senior six science students from Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School to an inspiring Career Fair aimed at guiding them on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College.

The event brought together students pursuing Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) and Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics (BCM), providing them with a unique opportunity to interact with the College leadership, tour laboratories and teaching facilities, and learn first-hand about careers in medicine and other health science disciplines.

Welcoming the students, the College Principal, Prof. Bruce Kirenga, described the College of Health Sciences as one of Africa’s oldest and most distinguished medical schools, with a legacy spanning more than a century.

“We started in 1924, making us one of the oldest medical schools on the continent. You have made the right decision to visit Makerere, and we are delighted to welcome you,” he said.

Prof. Kirenga commended the school administrators and teachers for organizing the visit, noting that exposing learners to university environments early helps them make informed career choices. He explained that the College introduced the Open Day concept after receiving numerous requests from schools seeking career guidance visits.

Prof. Bruce Kirenga. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Career Fair for Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School guiding senior six science students on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College, 10th July 2026, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Bruce Kirenga.

He congratulated the students for choosing science subjects, describing science as the foundation for solving society’s most pressing challenges.

“You have already made one of the most important decisions by choosing to become scientists. Even more importantly, you have chosen life sciences—a field dedicated to preserving and improving life,” he remarked.

The Principal emphasized that careers in life sciences extend far beyond medicine, encouraging students to remain open-minded as they consider their future.

“Everything that has life requires professionals to keep it healthy—from human beings and animals to crops and the environment. The opportunities are immense, including agriculture, veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, public health and many other emerging fields.”

A section of senior six students and their students at the career fair. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Career Fair for Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School guiding senior six science students on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College, 10th July 2026, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A section of senior six students and their students at the career fair.

He also advised students not to limit themselves to only one academic programme during university applications, recalling instances where highly qualified students narrowly missed admission because they selected only one course.

“Remain open to the opportunities available. Medicine is an excellent profession, but there are many other programmes that are equally rewarding and are shaping the future of healthcare and scientific innovation,” he said.

Prof. Kirenga further encouraged the students to embrace lifelong learning, reminding them that scientific knowledge remains valuable regardless of the career path they eventually pursue.

Addressing the students, the Dean of the School of Medicine, Prof. Annette Nakimuli, acknowledged the growing competition for admission into medical programmes and urged learners to work hard while keeping an open mind about the diverse opportunities available within health sciences.

Prof. Annettee Nakimuli. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Career Fair for Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School guiding senior six science students on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College, 10th July 2026, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Annettee Nakimuli.

She explained that admission into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme has become increasingly competitive due to the rising number of high-performing applicants.

“This year we witnessed unprecedented competition for government sponsorship, with many applicants scoring triple A at Advanced Level and outstanding grades at Ordinary Level. That tells you that you must prepare yourselves to excel academically,” she said.

Prof. Nakimuli noted that while many students aspire to become medical doctors, the health sector today offers numerous innovative programmes that are equally important.

“There are many programmes that parents, teachers and students are still not familiar with. Biomedical Engineering, for example, is one of the exciting fields driving the future of healthcare, yet many students overlook it because they focus only on medicine.”

Students and Teachers pose for a group photo with CHS staff. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Career Fair for Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School guiding senior six science students on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College, 10th July 2026, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Students and Teachers pose for a group photo with CHS staff.

She encouraged students to explore emerging disciplines that combine medicine, engineering, technology and research, noting that the future of healthcare increasingly depends on multidisciplinary professionals.

The Dean also introduced students to the structure of the School of Medicine, explaining that it comprises twelve academic departments and two specialised units covering a broad spectrum of clinical disciplines, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Family Medicine, Anaesthesia and Critical Care, among others.

She explained that students are trained by specialists across these disciplines to become competent general practitioners before pursuing further specialization.

Prof. Erisa Mwaka, the Chair of the Department of Human Anatomy, shared with the students about the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS). He said the school is one of the four schools that make up the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS). As the foundation of medical education, the School provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the biological and molecular sciences that underpin modern healthcare, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Prof. Erisa Mwaka with students in one of the teaching spaces. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Career Fair for Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School guiding senior six science students on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College, 10th July 2026, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Erisa Mwaka with students in one of the teaching spaces.

The School comprises several departments, including:

  • Human Anatomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Pathology
  • Microbiology
  • Medical Illustration

The School offers undergraduate programmes such as the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, which equips students with strong laboratory, research and analytical skills, and the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, an interdisciplinary programme that integrates engineering, medicine and technology to develop innovative healthcare solutions.

At postgraduate level, the School offers a wide range of master’s and doctoral programmes, including Human Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Bioinformatics, Immunology and Clinical Microbiology, Health Bioethics, Medical Illustration, Pathology and other biomedical specializations that prepare graduates for careers in research, academia, diagnostics, biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry. The school also offers a wide range of diploma courses.

Dr. Isaac Magulu Kimbowa from the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Right) and colleagues interact with the students. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Career Fair for Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School guiding senior six science students on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College, 10th July 2026, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Isaac Magulu Kimbowa from the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Right) and colleagues interact with the students.

Throughout the Career Fair, students interacted with faculty members, toured laboratories and learning facilities, and received guidance on university admission, academic programmes and career prospects within the health sciences.

The Career Fair forms part of the College’s broader outreach programme aimed at nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals by exposing learners to university life and equipping them with the information needed to make informed academic and career decisions.

View on CHS

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

Continue Reading

Trending