Veterinary & Biosecurity
COHESA in Uganda; Stakeholders hold a discourse to lay strategies for project implementation
Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) national strategic workshop was convened at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, 25th -26th April 2023.
It was aimed at making a contribution towards the One health approach in Uganda through promoting COHESA activities to further strengthen One Health approach in Uganda from low to high-level stakeholders; review and validate the findings from the baseline study and to solicit constructive recommendations on the way forward from the baseline study and how COHESA can incorporate those in its country plans.
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security (CoVAB), in collaboration with International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech (ISAAA) embarked on implementing the project in Eastern and Southern Africa.
With funding totaling to a tune of 9 billion Euros from the European Union, COHESA is implemented in eleven African countries that include Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya in East Africa. In the Southern part of Africa, the implementation is in Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Malawi.
It brings together a number of sectors including Wildlife, Environment, Fisheries and many more with the intention of enabling the people to enjoy quality life through addressing the One Health challenges that characterize the respective countries.
According to the Team leader in Uganda, Prof. Clovice Kankya from the Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Vet Public Health, COHESA will help address One Health and anti-microbial resistance issues affecting the region and that these were the main subjects of the discussion in the two-day event that came in following the launch of COHESA on 7th December, 2022.
The stakeholders were drawn from line Ministries and agencies that included the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Academia, from Uganda Christian University and Makerere University, civil society and Non-Government Organizations involved in One Health.
Prof. Kankya noted that the discourse was aimed at identifying strategies and guidance in order to find a better way of addressing issues of One Health.
‘It is imperative to lay strategies to address challenges even when there is no problem at hand. The National strategic workshop needs to plan how to address issues as and when they arise citing the examples of Covid 19 and Ebola that paused a burden on human and financial resources when they struck. It is necessary that there is a plan before hand and to ascertain availability of resources like finances and human capital, he observed.
He noted that the world is facing unprecedented, inter-connected threats to the health of people, animals, and the environment and that 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. 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.
Prof. Kankya said efforts towards developing cadres in line with One Health were in advanced stages with the proposed Ph.D. program in Global Health and Biosecurity at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University.
He however highlighted some of the challenges at hand citing the issue of getting entities working together given that One Health is multi sectoral and requires concerted effort. He said issues like data generated needed to be shared although many agencies do not share such information. ‘We have to plan together and share the information he emphasized.’ While explaining the reason for the stakeholder engagement.
Theodore Knight Jones from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the body coordinating the implementation of the project said COHESA will work with Makerere and other Universities in the implementing countries in addressing such complex challenges affecting the health and wellbeing of people and animals. He said COHESA was to come up with a collaborative approach to deal with challenges like the environmental impacts arising from pollution, health and agriculture.
He said because the problems spill over different sectors, there was need for high level collaboration citing the example of diseases that spread beyond borders and that at national Level, the project would support different partners in dealing with the issues affecting them. He said emerging diseases were the major challenge affecting Uganda, in addition to food toxins, pesticides and general contamination of food and hence the human health system.
COHESA 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.
It is expected that by the end of the project, a number of outputs will be realized. Government entities with One Health mandates and stakeholders across society will be capacitated in cross-sectoral collaboration. They will also be capacitated in the development of evidence-based One Health strategies and policies. National secondary, tertiary, and vocational education institutes strengthened in building One Health capacity for the next generation workforce.
Research institutes will be capacitated in training next generation One Health researchers, capacitated in identification, development, adaption, and delivery of One Health solutions including technologies, soft skills and strategic approaches for addressing current challenges.
Service providers (public, private) to be capacitated in identification, adoption and delivery of OH solutions. One Health related Public-Private Partnerships strengthened in delivery of OH solutions and consultation on One Health issues.
There will also be some contribution to emerging understanding on One Health, its appropriate use and added value, Knowledge and Information on research and policies in East and Southern Africa promoted through project platforms.
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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