Veterinary & Biosecurity
Stakeholders to take on Electronic Rabies Surveillance using a One Health Approach in the control of Rabies
Stakeholders in the Rabies Elimination project in Uganda (eRabies) have intensified efforts aimed at the use of electronic Rabies Surveillance using a One Health approach in the efforts towards elimination of rabies in Uganda.
A two-day workshop was convened at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Makerere University from 28th-29th August 2023, during which the stakeholders deliberated on a number of proposals for the best applicable surveillance tools to address One Health concerns in the effort towards the elimination of Rabies.
‘The purpose of the meeting is to hear from various actors and see what works for us, to enable us collect information and have it shared in a sustained way with One Health as a key component’ said Prof. Clovice Kankya, the Head, Department of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health at CoVAB, at the start of the meeting held in the Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health.
Kankya noted that with one year of implementation to date, the eRabies project was progressing well drawing a lot of support from the implementing local Governments of Kyegegwa, Soroti and Kampala Capital City Authority that spearhead the community engagements and other related activities. He said the graduate fellows from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries supported by the project were also on schedule.
He said Rabies is a global challenge being a zoonotic disease affecting the entire world more so here in Africa where there is close interaction between the wild animals and the human population. The Uganda Wildlife Authority, he said, was brought on board specifically Queen Elizabeth National Park to address some of the challenges affecting people drawing from the wild animals.
The Deputy Principal CoVAB, Prof. James Acai Okwee, in his opening remarks noted through the eRabies project, Makerere University and the host CoVAB were consolidating efforts towards the control of rabies in Uganda. ‘In as much as Rabies is a killer 100%, it is also preventable 100%’ observed Prof. Acai, adding that Makerere University and CoVAB specifically have been involved in such efforts through filed activities, vaccinations and animal welfare programs aimed at the control of rabies. He said through research, such efforts were to be intensified from a scientifically informed point of view.
Prof. Sonja Hartnack, from the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, one of the partners gave an overview of the project. She said the four-year project has seven different work packages while emphasizing that presently, the stakeholders were addressing work package one, that entails Surveillance systems and integrated bite case management. She noted that the communities were crucial in the rabies control efforts and specifically in identifying the barriers for rabies control through research interventions and the development of educational materials for awareness creation.
She made reference to the World organization for Animal Health (WOAH) recommended practices that points out that dog owners are clearly identified as one way through which the barriers to dog vaccination can be addressed in the communities and emphasized responsible dog ownership.
She said it was important to assess which vaccinations approaches are most successful in terms of vaccination coverage, whether there were static points vaccinations, or linked to institutions like Schools or other Veterinary activities or even human health related activities. She said through quantitative and qualitative research, the eRabies project was set to establish what works. She also pointed out the need to increase the laboratory capacity at regional levels as well as taking on rapid tests in the field.
Prof. Sonja Hartnack said the deliberations in the meeting were to inform the efforts towards having an integrated bite case management (IBCM) system by looking at different systems, picking out key data elements, reviewing the challenges of the existing processes for a proper One Health approach.
Dr. Andrew Kambugu, Director, Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) one of the key partners in the eRabies project extended appreciation to the Swiss Government and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) for the grant that is supporting the implementation of the activities. He referred to COVID-19, a Zoonotic disease that affected many people as having come from the contact between animals and humans. He said the model that would come out of the meeting was to be relevant to many. He emphasized the need for increased collaboration between different agencies in Africa, where he noted that many were working in silos. He affirmed that IDI was to give all relevant support needed in the eRabies project.
The deliberations in the workshop shared experiences from varied stakeholders that included the Infectious Diseases Institute experiences of Rabies Surveillance in West Nile region, the respective implementing Local Governments, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Participants identified some of the challenges experienced in timely dog bites reporting that need to be addressed in the surveillance. They included late reporting by the victims, failure to capture data from the private Veterinary Medicine practitioners that handle a number of cases in the communities, omission of the wildlife Veterinarians in the reporting system and the little interaction between the Human Health practitioners and the Veterinarians, coupled with the limited data sharing avenues.
The eRabies project is implemented by Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in collaboration with the Vetsuisse Faculties, Universities of Bern and Zurich from Switzerland. It is contributing to efforts towards elimination of Rabies by 2030.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Makerere University and Partners Celebrate INSSPIRE Project Achievements in Evidence-Based Higher Education on Food Systems and Climate Action
By Harriet Musinguzi & Jacinta Nakaye
INSSPIRE, a flagship project housed at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), has successfully concluded its three-year implementation journey with a final workshop held on Tuesday, 18th November 2025, at the Imperial Royale Hotel. The workshop brought together key stakeholders from leading universities across Europe and Africa to reflect on the project’s achievements, share lessons learned, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Over the past three years, the INSSPIRE Project has made significant strides in advancing research, innovation, and capacity-building, particularly in the areas of food systems and climate action. Through its initiatives, the project has contributed to strengthening academic programs and aligning them more closely with societal needs and the evolving job market.
Some of the notable achievements of the INSSPIRE Project include the comprehensive review and enrichment of the curriculum, ensuring that learning is not only academically rigorous but also practically relevant to societal needs and the evolving job market. In addition, the introduction of real-life learning labs has provided students with invaluable hands-on experience, enabling them to engage directly with community challenges and apply their knowledge in practical, impactful ways. The project has also pioneered the use of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), linking students with peers from other countries to foster cross-cultural exchange and collaborative problem-solving. This innovative approach has strengthened the connection between academia and society, equipping graduates to become solution-oriented leaders in addressing pressing global issues such as food systems and climate action.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, was represented at the conference by Prof. Julius Kikoma, Director of Graduate Training. Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kikoma commended the remarkable achievements realized through the strong partnership of multiple universities under the INSSPIRE initiative. He underscored the conference theme, “Advancing Evidence-Based and Inclusive Education for Food Systems and Climate Action,” as a powerful reflection of the project’s commitment to tackling global challenges through innovation, collaboration, and shared learning.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that the INSSPIRE Project, centered on innovation for sustainability and societal relevance, has successfully brought together universities from the Netherlands, Spain, Slovenia, Kenya, Uganda, Benin, and South Africa. Within this collaborative ecosystem, institutions have reimagined higher education to make it more inclusive, experiential, and responsive to pressing challenges such as food systems transformation and climate change.
Nawangwe noted that this transformation comes at a critical time when Africa faces immense challenges in food security and climate change. Uganda remains highly vulnerable, with floods and other climate shocks severely affecting communities and livelihoods. He emphasized that food systems are under pressure from rapid population growth, unsustainable practices, and environmental degradation, while climate change is already impacting nutrition and resilience. Universities like Makerere must rise to this challenge, he said, and that through initiatives like the INSSPIRE Project, Makerere University joined regional and international partners to generate evidence, influence policy, and drive innovation though solutions generated by students, researchers, and communities.
The Vice Chancellor expressed gratitude to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the project’s lead institution, for fostering collaboration that has strengthened long-term partnerships between Makerere and universities in Europe and Africa. He praised this cooperation as a model of global academic partnership, where learning flows both ways and innovation thrives in diversity. He also thanked Erasmus+, the European Union, RUFORUM, FAO, national agencies, and research institutions for their support. Special recognition was given to CoVAB for providing an enabling environment, and to the dedicated Makerere INSSPIRE team led by Dr. Charles Drago Kato, whose leadership has been central to the project’s success.
Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal CoVAB expressed the commitment of the college leadership in moving the INSSPIRE innovations forward, as demonstrated in the innovations in the department of Livestock resources and the continuous development of staff to broaden the teaching of these courses. He said the college would remain part of the network and appreciated INSSPIRE for the capacity-building initiatives for the staff of the college especially in the new pedagogical methodologies like the real-life lab.
Dr. Denyse Snelder from VU Amsterdam gave a broad overview of the project activities they engaged in, including the capacity development on evidence-based and inclusive education, strengthening the university to community collaboration, and inter-university collaborations. She highlighted the key achievements realized, which include sixty lecturers actively engaged, 850 students reached through enriched courses, Five Hundred community stakeholders engaged, establishment of community practice with Eighteen Universities in Africa and Europe under the umbrella, South to South and triangular cooperation.
The INSSPIRE Project aimed to prepare students in higher education for labor market success by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive food systems transformation and adapt to climate change, thereby contributing to sustainable growth.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Urban Farming & Climate-Smart Practices: Makerere Researchers Explore Innovations at Kyakuwa Farm
A team of scientists under the collaborative research project “Building Capacity for Innovation and Advancement of Climate Smart Agriculture in East and Southern Africa (CICSA-E&SA)” recently visited Kyakuwa Farm, a model site for urban farming innovations. The visit provided valuable insights into practical climate-smart farming technologies that can strengthen resilience and reduce emissions in urban and peri-urban livestock systems.
The Climate-Smart Agriculture project is led by Makerere University in partnership with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norway), Maseno University (Kenya), LUANAR, and DARS (Malawi), with funding from the Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education (Diku). One of its objectives is to develop a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Platform to bring together key stakeholders to share experiences, promote proven CSA technologies, and build farmer resilience while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
The visit was led by Principal Investigator Dr. Nampanzira Dorothy Kalule from the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Makerere University. She was joined by other scientists, including Prof. Vincent Muwanika, whose combined expertise enriched the engagement at Kyakuwa Farm. Together, the delegation emphasized Makerere University’s dedication to promoting urban farming and climate-smart agriculture through collaborative learning and knowledge exchange.
While at the farm, the scientists witnessed a number of climate-smart innovations that reinforce the sustainability of the Kyakuwa dairy system. These included silage made from excess sweet potato vines, hay produced from Paspalum grass during compound slashing, and hydroponic fodder cultivated as a nutrient-rich supplement. To address the persistent challenge of flies, the farm applies diatomaceous earth, an organic insecticide, both in the environment and mixed with feed. This integrated approach, they learned, enhanced animal nutrition, improved herd health, and maintained environmental hygiene.
Prof. Jolly M. L. Kabirizi, Executive Director of Kyakuwa Farm and animal research scientist at Valley University of Science and Technology, welcomed the Makerere University team. She showcased her sustainable urban farming model, highlighting dairy production supported by innovative feed, waste management, and climate-smart practices that reduce costs, empower youth, and promote community engagement. The farm places dairy production at its core, integrating innovative feed and waste-management practices that embody climate-smart agriculture. These strategies enhance productivity, optimize resource utilization, and minimize environmental impact, making the farm a replicable model for sustainable urban farming.
According to the scientists, Prof. Kabirizi’s standout innovation is her concept of “turning waste into wealth.” Instead of relying mainly on elephant grass like many dairy farmers, she introduced the use of assorted organic market waste as a sustainable feed source. By training vendors in waste recovery, she incorporates bean pods, sweet potato vines, and pineapple residues into her feeding program. These unconventional resources now form a major part of her dairy system, cutting feed costs, improving sustainability, and reducing organic waste in urban markets.
Prof. Kabirizi complements her waste-to-feed innovations with sustainable feeding technologies that reinforce Kyakuwa Farm’s resilience. The farmer produces silage from surplus sweet potato vines, hay from Paspalum grass during compound slashing, and hydroponic fodder as a nutrient-rich supplement. To tackle the challenge of flies, Kabirizi said she applies diatomaceous earth organically in both the environment and feed. This integrated system boosts animal nutrition, strengthens herd health, and maintains environmental hygiene, showcasing climate-smart agriculture in action.
Kyakuwa Farm highlights a climate-smart use of manure by transforming it into a valuable energy resource. Through solar drying, manure is converted into charcoal briquettes that offer households a cleaner, affordable alternative to firewood. This innovation reduces reliance on traditional fuels, eases pressure on forests, and integrates renewable energy into livestock management, showcasing how circular resource use strengthens sustainability and climate resilience in urban farming. In her closing remarks, after successful deliberations with the scientists, Prof. Kabirizi urged the visiting scientists to champion early retirement planning among farmers, drawing on her own rewarding retirement shaped by community training and mentorship. She has empowered households within and beyond Wakiso District through skills in urban dairy management, climate-smart feeding, and value addition.
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