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Makerere & Johns Hopkins Universities Release Report on Speed and Helmet Use in Kampala

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Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) have launched the status summary report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, in partnership with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Vital Strategies.

The report was launched at Hotel Africana in Kampala on January 16, 2024. It delineates key findings, including the average speed of speeding vehicles at a high average of 57km/hr, higher speeds on roads partially accessible to pedestrians compared to roads freely accessible to pedestrians.  Also, helmet usage remains low among motorcyclists and is almost non-existent among passengers, contributing to a rise in accidents and fatalities since 2020.

There has been a variable trend in the reported numbers of deaths and serious injuries since 2018. Specifically, in 2022, there was a 1% increase in reported deaths compared to 2021, while serious injuries witnessed a 4% decrease during the same period.

In 2018, a total of 294 death were recorded, 315 recorded in 2019 while 236 were recorded in 2020. In 2021, there were 419 road traffic death and 425 recorded in 2022. Motorcyclists accounted for nearly half (49%) of the reported deaths followed by pedestrians made up 44% of deaths. In a bid to improve road safety by providing quality data, the research the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) made roadside observations on speed and helmet use in Kampala City.

The researchers made six observation rounds citing 500,000 for speed and 600,000 cyclists to determine helmet use. The results, based on data collected between February 2021 and October 2023 indicate that the mean speed among speeding vehicles was high mostly among sport utility vehicles (SUVs) at 10%, sedans/saloons at 9%, minibuses/minivans at 8), and pickup/light trucks at 7%. Five percent of the observed vehicles were exceeding the posted speed limit.

A cyclist lying on the ground following an accident in Kampala. Photo by Katumba Badru Sultan
A cyclist lying on the ground following an accident in Kampala. Photo by Katumba Badru Sultan

Speeding in Kampala

Presenting findings, Mr. Bonny Balugaba, a Researcher based at the Trauma, Injuries and Trauma Unit of MakSPH noted that the international best practices for speed management recommend a safe speed of 30 km/h on roads where conflicts between cars and unprotected users are possible. Also, 50 km/h speed is recommended at intersections where side-on conflicts between cars may occur. This is particularly applicable in urban areas.

Mr. Bonny Balugaba, a Researcher based at the Trauma, Injuries and Trauma Unit of MakSPH speaks to the media shortly after the dissemination of the report at Hotel African, Kampala. Photo by Davidson Ndyabahika. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Bonny Balugaba, a Researcher based at the Trauma, Injuries and Trauma Unit of MakSPH speaks to the media shortly after the dissemination of the report at Hotel African, Kampala. Photo by Davidson Ndyabahika

“If in Kampala we are seeing 57km/h speed, it means that we are way above the recommended speed limits and we know that beyond 40km/h, the chances of survival of someone that has been knocked are very minimal,” says Balugaba.

The researchers recommend enforcing a 50 km/h speed limit in metropolitan areas and a 30 km/h limit in places where motorized traffic interacts with bikes and pedestrians. In order to safeguard vulnerable road users, particularly the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Kampala Capital City Authority, it suggests implementing speed-calming techniques including bumps and signage as well as designating low-speed areas.

Investigators further advise the Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police to increase enforcement, especially on local roads and on vehicles such as SUVs, sedans, pickup trucks, minibuses on routes with limited pedestrian access. It is recommended that public awareness campaigns and enforcement measures regarding the dangers of speeding be regularly monitored and evaluated to ensure continued efficacy.

Balugaba noted; “Mass media is good but if you are telling me the dangers of speed but am not apprehended on speed then it tends to entertainment. You come, entertain me with your campaign and adverts and go away but you are not enforcing.”

Some of the participants follow proceedings during the launch. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the participants follow proceedings during the launch.

Helmet Use in Kampala

Helmet use compliance among motorcyclists was notably low at 39%, and even lower for passengers at 2%. This trend persisted on both local and collector roads (39%) and arterial roads (40%). During weekends, helmet use dropped by 20%. Ride-share motorcycle drivers, particularly Safe Boda, exhibited the highest compliance at 84%, surpassing commercial motorcycle drivers (50%), taxi drivers (55%), and private/government motorcycle users (55%).

From 2020 to 2022, 210 motorcycle occupants and 185 pedestrians lost their lives. Notably, 40% of pedestrian fatalities resulted from collisions with cars, SUVs, or pickups, whereas 36% of motorcycle deaths were attributed to accidents involving other motorcycles.

“We saw that only 2% of the motorcycles are using helmets. This really means that the situation is still bad. We need to put in place measures knowing that helmets save those that are wearing them,” says Balugaba.

Mr. Bonny Balugaba, a Researcher based at the Trauma, Injuries and Trauma Unit of MakSPH speaks to the media shortly after the dissemination of the report at Hotel African, Kampala. Photo by Davidson Ndyabahika. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Bonny Balugaba, a Researcher based at the Trauma, Injuries and Trauma Unit of MakSPH speaks to the media shortly after the dissemination of the report at Hotel African, Kampala. Photo by Davidson Ndyabahika

Adding that while four of every 10 riders are wearing a helmet but less than one in every 10 passengers has a helmet. “is it that passengers have harder heads than riders? That in case they are involved in a crash, they don’t get affected? These are issues we need to work on.”

While sharing the data outcomes, Dr Raphael Awuah, the African Regional Advisor on Data and Surveillance for Vital Strategies notes that while many of the cities in Africa, pedestrians constitute the majority fatalities, this is different for Kampala. “For most parts of Africa, we see that pedestrians account for most fatalities. However, in Kampala, this is not the case. We see that majority of the deaths are among the motorcyclists and this trend has been observed since 2018. So clearly this emphasizes the need to prioritize the vulnerable road users in Kampala particularly motorcyclists and pedestrians.”

Dr. Raphael Awuah, the African Regional Advisor on Data and Surveillance for Vital Strategies speaking at the dissemination. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Raphael Awuah, the African Regional Advisor on Data and Surveillance for Vital Strategies speaking at the dissemination.

The top five locations for pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries from 2019 to 2022 are high-capacity roads: Kampala Road, Jinja Road, Bombo Road, Entebbe Road, and Masaka Road.

The distribution of motorcycle fatal crash locations does not exhibit any clear pattern, but there is a noticeable concentration on high-capacity highways. Kampala Road, Masaka Road, Bombo Road, Kisaasi Road, and the Northern Bypass are the top five places.

“While it is true that these are high capacity roads, speeding is probably one of the causes of fatalities. I hope we will use this data to inform the discussions, actions, plans, strategies to reduce the outcomes that I have just shared,” observed Dr Raphael Awuah. 

The Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police has been urged to increase the enforcement of proper helmet use, with a focus on passengers, taxis, and commercial motorbikes on arterial, local, and collector roads all week round. Also, KCCA and the Ministry of Works and Transport may want to start public awareness programs promoting the appropriate use of helmets and advocate for sanctions and fines for improper helmet wear in conjunction with coordinated increased enforcement.

Becky Bavinger, from the public health area of Bloomberg Philanthropies hands a copy of the Kampala Summary Status Report on Road Safety Risk Factors to CSO representatives. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Becky Bavinger, from the public health area of Bloomberg Philanthropies hands a copy of the Kampala Summary Status Report on Road Safety Risk Factors to CSO representatives.

“This is about behavioral change. It is extremely difficult. We are all humans. All of us know that speeding is bad for us but when we get behind the wheel, we will still try to speed. All of us know that wearing a helmet will protect our heads, but only 2% of us wear helmets when we are riding on a motorcycle. So what else is needed? Yes, knowledge is important, it is important to tell people why they should be putting on these helmets and the consequences they will face if they don’t wear them but it is also important to have reinforcing mechanism. Yes, mass media campaigns are important but equally important is visible and widespread enforcement,” explained Dr. Abdulgafoor Bachani, Director of JH-IIRU.

Dr. Abdulgafoor Bachani, Director of JH-IIRU hands over the Kampala Summary Status Report to SP. Michael Kananura, spokesperson, Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, Uganda Police Force during the launch at Hotel Africana on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Photo by Davidson Ndyabahika. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Abdulgafoor Bachani, Director of JH-IIRU hands over the Kampala Summary Status Report to SP. Michael Kananura, spokesperson, Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, Uganda Police Force during the launch at Hotel Africana on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Photo by Davidson Ndyabahika

On his part, Dr. Fredrick Oporia said “Road safety is an issue of concern to everyone. To improve this safety, we must have high-quality data on the risk factors and share it with our stakeholders. Most importantly, we need local stakeholders who are charged with making laws and policies for the country because this is a systems issue that calls for systems thinking. We must involve the local to get the attention of the international.”

SP. Michael Kananura, spokesperson, Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, Uganda Police Force says there is a regulation on helmet use targeting not only riders but also passengers, although he acknowledges challenges with enforcement. He calls on the public support these public health and road safety measures.  

SP. Michael Kananura, spokesperson, Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, Uganda Police Force speaks to journalists at the launch of the status report. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
SP. Michael Kananura, spokesperson, Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, Uganda Police Force speaks to journalists at the launch of the status report.

“We really appreciate our colleagues from MakSPH and the rest for this work and the academia generally for the work you are doing in as far as research is concerned and also being able to share with us this data. We also use this data to improve in our enforcements. It guides us on areas of improvement and prioritization. The data really is so helpful to us and we also continue to work to see how we can improve in that area. We have a unit in traffic directorate that is for enforcement basically,” SP Kananura.  

Comments from KCCA leadership

Hon. Kizza Hakim Sawula, the lord councilor from Lubaga and Executive Secretary and a Minister for Works and Physical Planning –KCCA noted that one of the causes of this these accidents in the capital city is the poor-quality roads that wear out easily with numerous potholes and the meagre maintenance budget appropriated by parliament to the city authority.

Hon. Kizza Hakim Sawula, the lord councilor from Lubaga and a Minister for Works and Physical Planning -KCCA speaking at the launch. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Kizza Hakim Sawula, the lord councilor from Lubaga and a Minister for Works and Physical Planning -KCCA speaking at the launch.

“Can you imagine that each kilometer of the road within Kampala is constructed at an average cost of 14 billion shillings. For the last three budgets, we were getting 78bn but but in the current budget, we received only 43 billion shillings for the entire capital, for the entire financial year for roads, drainages and traffic lights. How many kilometers are we looking at? 3 kilometers for a financial year, 43 billion shillings?

We used to get Shs26 billion from the national road fund, for road maintenance every financial year. You can confirm from the mayors and load counselors here. This time around, we received only 11 billion for all the maintenance. Now, what do we expect out of that money? So, the task is upon the members of the Parliament to improve on the budget. We have 2,110 kilometers of roads within Kampala. Only 654 kilometers are paved, when shall we complete the entire balance? So, we need a budget, enough budget from the members of parliament. When we talk to MPs they only talk about loans we get from development partners which is usually for new roads,” explained Hon. Sawula.

Concerned, Nakawa Division Mayor, Paul Mugambe said it was disheartening that many people continue to lose their lives prematurely. He cited that not every death is predetermined by the Lord. “Driving at excessively high speeds, and resulting in a crash is not the Lord’s decision. Many individuals lose their lives prematurely due to reckless behavior, and it’s truly regrettable.”

Nakawa Division Mayor, Paul Mugambe speaks to the media at the launch. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Nakawa Division Mayor, Paul Mugambe speaks to the media at the launch.

Mr. Mugambe urged Police to use the evidence provided to improve on the enforcement of road traffic laws and regulations.

Prof. Elizeus Rutebemberwa, the Deputy Dean, MakSPH thanked the Bloomberg Philanthilopies “for supporting us to help ourselves” and the JH-IIRU for the technical support to the TRIAD unit, the university and many partners. He also noted that the urban population in Uganda is steadily increasing and called for proactive and inclusive urban planning.

Prof. Elizeus Rutebemberwa, the Deputy Dean, MakSPH speaks at the launch. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Elizeus Rutebemberwa, the Deputy Dean, MakSPH speaks at the launch.

“From 2012, the urban population was 20%. In 2022, which is one year and a half ago, it was 26%. So, one in four people in Uganda were in urban areas. Now in 2040 it is estimated that 33 million would be living in urban areas and that would be 46%. So, it’s not getting better, it’s getting worse. So, we need to manage our urban areas so that people don’t shift from the rural areas to come to die in urban areas,” said Prof. Rutebemberwa.

He called on government and the city authority to fast-track mass transport systems to reduce congestion on the roads. “Look at the traffic that come to Kampala. They are in private cars and each one is carrying one person. In very few cases, two people. Now, if you have all those cars for one kilometre stretch, you could actually park all those people in one bus. And you have all space and you reduce the pollution, why should this be difficult for people to know that. For you to have an organized urban area, you need mass transport. You don’t need to research to know that. So why don’t we have them? Some of these things, some of them we talked about in the national drive, dedicated walk lanes.

According to Becky Bavinger, from the public health area of Bloomberg Philanthropies, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for people aged 5 to 29. She mentioned that the fatalities from road traffic are at a crisis level in Uganda.

Becky Bavinger, from the public health area of Bloomberg Philanthropies urged stakeholders to utilise the data for proper decision making. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Becky Bavinger, from the public health area of Bloomberg Philanthropies urged stakeholders to utilise the data for proper decision making. 

“I want to say this again. This is the leading cause of death. It’s not HIV. It’s not tuberculosis. It’s real traffic injuries for people aged 5 to 29. Those are the young people. We had the mayor talking about the economic impact as well. These are young people going to school, getting trained, coming back into your workforce, starting out in the workforce, and you’re losing their lives. There’s a forthcoming research from the Road Safety Coalition Uganda looking at the loss of GDP from road traffic injuries. In 2017, your government reported 3,500 deaths. The WHO estimated it was double that at about 6,000. It has gone up. In 2021, your government reported 4,159 deaths. Again, the WHO estimated it was about double that at 7,300. This is not good. This is a crisis and we need everyone working together on it,” Ms. Bavinger said.

She noted that Bloomberg Philanthropies will be working over these next two years with KCCA and with the government of Uganda to institutionalize data collection and the surveillance of road traffic injuries and deaths to improve its accuracy.

Becky Bavinger, from the public health area of Bloomberg Philanthropies hands a copy of the Kampala Summary Status Report on Road Safety Risk Factors to KCCA to MPs. Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, KCCA, Vital Strategies launch of Status Summary Report 2023; Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda, 16th January 2024, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Becky Bavinger, from the public health area of Bloomberg Philanthropies hands a copy of the Kampala Summary Status Report on Road Safety Risk Factors to KCCA to MPs.

“These data are critical to forming your decision making. I just want to conclude by saying congratulations to Makerere University, to Johns Hopkins University, but ultimately to KCCA for launching this report, for conducting this research and this is not easy research to conduct. To the stakeholders, use these data. Please, please do not go home and put this report on your shelf. Look through it. Talk to the journalist. Get the media to write stories about this, let everyone know what is happening,” said Bavinger. 

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Davidson Ndyabahika

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Ekyaalo Diagnostics; Johns Hopkins University Partners with Makerere and MUST to Advance AI Innovation for Breast Cancer Diagnosis

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Group photo at Centre for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Research at Makerere University School of Public Health led by Associate Professor Peter Waiswa, alongside Graduate biomedical engineers from the Centre for Biomedical Innovation and Design (CBID) at Johns Hopkins University.

By Joseph Odoi

Globally, Breast cancer remains a serious health challenge, with the World Health Organization (2022) reporting over 2.3 million new cases annually and nearly 670,000 deaths. In Uganda, breast cancer is one of the leading cancers among women, yet the majority of patients are diagnosed at late stages due to delays in accessing diagnostic services, most of which are centralized at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala. Since 72% of Uganda’s population lives in rural areas, women often face late diagnosis due to long travel distances. Even after accessing care, results can take 1–6 months due to the slow process of transporting samples to central laboratories. This delay directly impacts the timely start of treatment.

To address this gap, Johns Hopkins University in collaboration with Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), is spearheading innovative solutions that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and low-cost technologies to improve early diagnosis and treatment.

As part of this collaboration, the Centre for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Research at Makerere University School of Public Health led by Associate Professor Peter Waiswa in July hosted a team of graduate biomedical engineers from the Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID) at John Hopkins University.

The team is developing a low-cost, AI-powered technology called Ekyaalo Diagnostics, aimed at reducing the turnaround time for breast cancer diagnosis, especially in hard-to-reach areas. As part of their work, they undertook a learning tour at the Ministry of Health, Uganda Cancer Institute, and regional cancer referral centres. The purpose was to map stakeholders in the breast cancer space, gather Ekyaalo diagnostic technology usability feedback, and understand the local innovation ecosystem in breast cancer care.

Ekyaalo Diagnostics and Bringing Pathology Closer to Communities

The flagship innovation, Ekyaalo Diagnostics, is a portable AI-powered whole-slide scanner (WSS) designed to digitize cytology samples at Health Centre IVs and General Hospitals. These digitized images are securely transmitted to pathologists at higher-level facilities for timely review, eliminating the need for physically transporting samples to Kampala.

Ekyaalo Diagnostics hardware: A whole slide scanner and a Laptop displaying a scanned Image.
Ekyaalo Diagnostics hardware: A whole slide scanner and a Laptop displaying a scanned Image.

This technology has the potential to reduce diagnosis delays from several months to just a few days, thereby improving survival outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Building Local Solutions to Global Challenges

In addition to Ekyaalo Diagnostics, Makerere researchers at the Department of Biomedical Engineering are also advancing other innovations such as development of artificial breast prototypes to be used in  educating women on breast cancer symptoms while Research at Mbarara University led by Dr. William Waswa, are developing  PapsAI, a low-cost automated tool that support whole slide scanning of slides for cervical cancer screening.

These initiatives are aligned with the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) of the Ministry of Health, which emphasizes prevention, early detection, timely diagnosis.

Design Challenges and Considerations

Despite the progress being made, challenges persist, according to the team’s findings from the tour,these technologies hold great promise however their success in Uganda will depend on addressing some critical barriers.

One of the biggest challenges is limited staffing. Many lower-level health facilities lack trained laboratory personnel to prepare slides. For this reason, new technologies must be designed to be simple, user-friendly, and capable of being adopted after short training sessions.

Another major barrier is equipment maintenance. Past medical innovations in Uganda have often struggled with frequent breakdowns and software failures. The team emphasized that new diagnostic tools must be affordable, durable, and resistant to common system crashes if they are to serve rural health facilities effectively.

Finally, high operational costs continue to undermine sustainability. Some innovations fail because their maintenance costs are too high or because they are incompatible with existing health systems. Ensuring cost-effectiveness and system integration will therefore be vital for the long-term success of breast cancer diagnostic technologies in Uganda.

MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project is led by the Johns Hopkins  Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID) in collaboration with Makerere’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and MUST researchers. Field learning tours have already been conducted at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Jinja, Mbarara, and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospitals, with input from clinicians, technologists, and innovators in Uganda’s health ecosystem.

The Johns Hopkins team has conducted usability interviews with clinicians, laboratory technologists, and surgeons at multiple hospitals including Mulago, Jinja, Mbarara, and Fort Portal. They have also engaged with Uganda’s innovation ecosystem, including makerspaces and industry partners. It has been noted that the Ministry of Health together with Partners working on treatment of cancer has drafted the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) that is aimed at reducing incidence, morbidity and mortality through prevention and early treatment and palliative care. The Plan will give guide on health education, early detection, and diagnosis among others Special thanks go to the Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design   (CIBID) Johns Hopkins University for funding this field learning tour, Centre for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research at School of Public health (Makerere University) for hosting the team, Departments of Bioengineering at Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mulago pathology department and the Uganda cancer institute, Regional Referral hospitals of Jinja, Mbarara and Fort Portal among other General hospitals and Health center IVs visited for technical input.

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VectorCam Project; Makerere, Johns Hopkins, and MoH to Scale Up AI-Powered Malaria Surveillance across Uganda

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A multidisciplinary team from Makerere University School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins University during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health on 7th August 2025 to engage officials on the VectorCam Project-an innovative project focused on transforming how Uganda monitors malaria-carrying mosquitoes using a smartphone-based, AI-powered application that relies on computer vision to quickly identify mosquitoes by species, sex, and feeding status whether a mosquito has fed recently or not, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Joseph Odoi

In a significant step toward revolutionizing mosquito surveillance in Uganda, Dr. Peter Waiswa, Associate Professor of Health Policy Planning and Management at the School of Public Health, Makerere University has revealed that a new AI-driven mosquito surveillance project is set to be rolled out to strengthen vector monitoring efforts across 22 districts in Uganda.

He disclosed this while briefing a multidisciplinary team during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health on 7th August 2025 to engage with officials on the VectorCam Project.

The VectorCam Project is a partnership between the Makerere University School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, and the Ministry of Health, with funding from the Gates Foundation. The project seeks to revolutionize mosquito surveillance by shifting from manual, human-led identification to a digital, AI-driven mobile application using computer vision

What is VectorCam?

VectorCam is an innovative project focused on transforming how Uganda monitors malaria-carrying mosquitoes. At its core is a smartphone-based, AI-powered application that uses computer vision to quickly identify mosquitoes by species, sex, and feeding status whether a mosquito has fed recently or not. Traditionally, such analysis requires the expertise of entomologists and takes considerable time.

According to Prof Waiswa, VectorCam will advance ento. surveillance.

‘’We have worked with Johns Hopkins University and the Minister of Health to develop an AI-powered mobile application which can be used to identify mosquitoes. This apps tells you the type of mosquito, the sex of the mosquito, and whether the mosquito has a full abdomen or half abdomen or is empty. That is, if it fed last night or not.

This one is a way to just shift mosquito surveillance from people to an app. The app does it in 20 seconds using computer vision. It does it faster and better than any entomologist. Every district just has one Entomologist. So the entomologist can go and focus on other things as part of his work because nowadays an app can do it.

The good thing with the app is we’ve already done a big trial funded by the Gates Foundation and we have evidence that it works. The app also posts data and makes it accessible through the DHIS to the districts but also at the national level’’ Prof. Waiswa explained.

‘’With support and funding from the Gates Foundation, we are going to be scaling up the Vector Cam Project to 22 districts. In 12 of these, we will conduct research to evaluate how the app actually performs at scale in routine life settings ‘’ Prof Waiswa stated about the next project step.

As part of the project engagement, Prof. Waiswa met with Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the National Malaria Control Division, Ministry of Health, Uganda, who also serves as the Acting Program Manager for Malaria at the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) to brief him on the project genesis and its next objectives which will lead to data-driven decision making to tailor vector control interventions.

Also in attendance were also; Professor Soumyadipta Acharya a respected researcher in the field of ento. surveillance from Johns Hopkins University, United States, along with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Makerere University.

More About VectorCam Project

VectorCAM  is an innovative project focused on transforming how Uganda monitors malaria-carrying mosquitoes. At its core is a smartphone-based, AI-powered application that uses computer vision to quickly identify mosquitoes by species, sex, and feeding status.

Between November 2022 and April 2024, Makerere University, in partnership with Johns Hopkins University and Uganda’s National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), successfully implemented the first phase of the VectorCam Project. Through this, the project piloted the VectorCAM an AI-driven mobile application that uses computer vision to identify mosquitoes by species, sex, and abdominal status providing rapid, cost-effective entomological surveillance in malaria-endemic regions.

Following the successful trial and validation of the technology, the project is now entering a new phase focused on scaling up.

VectorCam will be rolled out across 22 districts in Uganda, with operational research embedded in 12 of those districts to assess its performance.

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Prof. Serwadda Urges Shift from Transactional to Equitable Research Partnerships

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Seated: Prof. David Musoke Serwadda (2nd Right) and Assoc. Prof. David Musoke (3rd Right) with participants at the workshop on 20th August 2025. Workshop on Strengthening Equitable Partnerships in International Research Collaboration in Uganda, keynote address by Prof. David Musoke Serwadda,20th August 2025, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Auditorium, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

On August 20, 2025, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) convened a timely workshop on Strengthening Equitable Partnerships in International Research Collaboration in Uganda. Held at the MakSPH Auditorium, the event brought together researchers, policymakers, and institutional leaders to reflect on how Uganda, and indeed the wider region, can engage more effectively and derive greater benefit from global research collaborations.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. David Musoke Serwadda, a Professor Emeritus at Makerere University and a globally recognised HIV researcher and epidemiologist, urged a rethinking of how international research partnerships are structured. A former head of the Institute of Public Health (IPH) and later Dean of the School, serving between 2003 and 2009, Serwadda is also the founding director of the Rakai Health Sciences Programme (RHSP), which is one of Uganda’s most influential research initiatives on HIV. While acknowledging the many benefits Uganda has gained from global research collaborations, he cautioned that too many times, these partnerships remain transactional, shaped by donor priorities, bound to project cycles, and offering limited long-term value to local institutions once projects close.

Prof. Serwadda, himself a globally recognised and well-accomplished researcher, with over four decades of experience and numerous awards for his contributions to science and global health, observed that Ugandan partners are many times included in research projects for visibility rather than substance, often excluded from core roles such as Principal Investigators or from influencing agenda-setting, budget control, and authorship. “Partnerships are not an end in themselves; they exist to help us achieve mutually agreed objectives built on shared responsibility and reciprocal obligations. Too often, Southern institutions are brought into projects late, simply for optics. That is not equitable collaboration,” he insisted.

Prof. David Musoke Serwadda delivering his keynote address on Strengthening Equitable Partnerships in International Research Collaboration in Uganda. August 20, 2025. Workshop on Strengthening Equitable Partnerships in International Research Collaboration in Uganda, keynote address by Prof. David Musoke Serwadda,20th August 2025, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Auditorium, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. David Musoke Serwadda delivering his keynote address on Strengthening Equitable Partnerships in International Research Collaboration in Uganda. August 20, 2025.

During his talk, he stressed that this imbalance undermines both research quality and sustainability, noting that normally, when local researchers are sidelined, studies often fail to align with national priorities or build capacity that endures. By contrast, partnerships that are grounded in mutual respect, fair resource sharing, co-design, and shared decision-making have the impact of producing knowledge that is globally relevant and locally impactful.

“Equity in partnerships is about fairness, ensuring that all partners, regardless of context, can contribute meaningfully. This also requires responsibility on our part in the Global South. We must insist on involvement from project conception, negotiate fair terms, and strengthen our own systems to manage collaborations effectively,” Prof. Serwadda advised, emphasising that strong institutions, clear strategy, agenda and objectives are key for local institutions to engage in mutually fair and beneficial research collaborations at the global and continental stage.

As Director and later Dean of MakSPH, Prof. David Serwadda spearheaded numerous research collaborations and attracted substantial grants that elevated the School and the University’s global standing. Today, MakSPH is recognised as Makerere University’s flagship unit for its wide-ranging partnerships and robust research management systems. Since its beginnings as a small Department of Preventive Medicine in 1954, through its transformation into the first Institute of Public Health in sub-Saharan Africa in 1975, its elevation to School status in 2007, and most recently its reinstatement as a standalone School with college status within Makerere University in January 2025, a status first granted in 2001, MakSPH has built a 70-year legacy of advancing public health through research, training, and policy engagement.

The School’s evolution, as often couched by its leadership, has been anchored on strategic and strong partnerships. These collaborations, be they local, regional or global, have driven health systems innovation, strengthened capacity, and informed policy, making partnerships the cornerstone of the School’s past achievements and future ambitions. At the celebration of the School’s 70th Anniversary, marked in December 2024, Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe hailed MakSPH’s research output, community impact, and strong partnerships cultivated throughout the years. The Mak VC cited the School’s pioneering role in the HIV response led by Prof. Serwadda in the 1980s, the establishment of nutrition centres such as the Mwana Mugimu Unit at Mulago Hospital and across Uganda by the late Prof. John Kakitahi in the 1990s with support from Rotary International, and community projects like Kasangati Health Centre along Gayaza Road with support from the Rockefeller Foundation in the late 1950s, which advanced public education on healthy environments and wellness.

Current MakSPH building (left) and the new eight-storey facility under construction (right) near Eastern gate, Makerere University, developed through strong partnerships, including generous support from the American people via the USAID ASHA Program, to meet the School’s growing space and infrastructure needs.
Current MakSPH building (left) and the new eight-storey facility under construction (right) near Eastern gate, Makerere University, developed through strong partnerships, including generous support from the American people via the USAID ASHA Program, to meet the School’s growing space and infrastructure needs.

“The School of Public Health brings in almost half of all research grants at Makerere University, both in number and value, and these partnerships have been central to tackling Uganda’s public health challenges. From pioneering HIV/AIDS work that shaped global prevention strategies to interventions in maternal health, malaria, and infectious diseases, MakSPH has consistently combined academic excellence with community service. Its leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic further showed its ability to respond to national health emergencies with evidence-based solutions that directly benefit the people,” Prof. Nawangwe said with gratitude for the work done by the School through collaboration.

Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, exchanges documents with UNICEF Uganda Representative, Dr. Robin Nandy, during the signing of an MoU on August 14, 2025. The two-year renewable partnership seeks to advance child rights and well-being, a critical public health priority in Uganda.
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, exchanges documents with UNICEF Uganda Representative, Dr. Robin Nandy, during the signing of an MoU on August 14, 2025. The two-year renewable partnership seeks to advance child rights and well-being, a critical public health priority in Uganda.

In 2024, the School had over 350 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact international journals as a result of this wide network and partnerships. MakSPH currently maintains a strong mix of North–South and South–South collaborations. Within the continent, the School is actively working in more than 25 countries, often partnering with multiple institutions within individual countries to advance research, capacity building, and policy influence. One such recent collaboration is the Partnership to Enhance Technical Support for Analytical Capacity and Data Use in Eastern & Southern Africa (PERSuADE) Project, funded by the Global Fund. Under PERSuADE, MakSPH, the prime grant recipient, hosted the secretariat led by Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze as Principal Investigator, tasked with overall coordination across 12 countries, while a Steering Committee chaired by Prof. David Serwadda provided oversight.

PERSuADE was implemented in two phases between 2018 and 2023. The project brought together 12 universities and 12 Ministries of Health in East and Southern Africa to strengthen analytical capacity and promote data use in national health programmes, cascading skills to districts and lower facilities. In its second phase, the project trained over 1,500 health staff, including 934 at the sub-national level, in data analysis and use, and generated more than 80 analytical outputs on HIV, TB, and malaria. These informed National Strategic Plans in seven countries and improved programme strategies in all 12. Sixteen in-service staff from seven countries received specialised training in HIV key population surveillance, health information systems, and data use. The project also piloted the Maturity Index Model in five countries, helping ministries track progress in institutionalising data-driven decision-making.

MakSPH team led by Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze (centre, in red) with Dr. Estifanos Biru Shargie of the Global Fund (to her right) and other delegates at the PERSuADE II Regional Partners Meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, December 11–14, 2023. The meeting reinforced regional collaboration in strengthening data use and health systems.
MakSPH team led by Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze (centre, in red) with Dr. Estifanos Biru Shargie of the Global Fund (to her right) and other delegates at the PERSuADE II Regional Partners Meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, December 11–14, 2023. The meeting reinforced regional collaboration in strengthening data use and health systems.

In Uganda, the PERSuADE project was implemented in Kiboga, Buikwe, Kasanda, Mukono, and Mityana districts, selected by the Ministry of Health. According to the Principal Investigator, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, strengthening data analysis and use has greatly enhanced the capacity of Ministries of Health to deliver targeted interventions that directly benefit communities. She noted that improved analytical skills at national and subnational levels now enable ministries to identify disparities in HIV, TB, and malaria burdens, while district and facility health workers can use data to strengthen local service delivery. “With better data, districts can plan more efficiently, allocate medicines, and implement tailored prevention campaigns to address specific risks, raise awareness, and reduce new infections,” she said, emphasising the role of equitable collaboration as a key success factor in Uganda and across the continent for this partnership.

Indeed, during a learning visit to Uganda in September 2024, Dr. Estifanos Biru Shargie, Senior Specialist for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Country Analysis at the Global Fund, commended the PERSuADE Project for strengthening local capacity and fostering sustainable health system improvements through South-South partnerships among schools and ministries. “The impact has been significant. In Kiboga, I was impressed by how teams mapped gaps in services and addressed them over four years, using data to inform decisions and monitor progress. Working with Makerere University School of Public Health has been an honour. The School blends academic excellence with practical implementation, backed by strong financial management and a long-standing relationship with the Ministry of Health. Their coordination, networking, and efficiency have been exemplary,” Dr. Shargie said.

Another currently ongoing initiative at the School is the African Leadership and Management Training for Impact in Malaria Eradication (ALAMIME) program, led by MakSPH with ten participating institutions across nine malaria-endemic countries, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Co-led by Prof. Elizeus Rutebemberwa and Prof. Dosithée Ngo Bebe, ALAMIME is cultivating the leadership Africa needs to defeat malaria by strengthening institutions, building capacity, and fostering regional networks. In 2024 alone, the program trained over 250 participants, nearly half women, from national malaria programs, ministries, and NGOs. Through structured training, alumni-led webinars, and cross-country exchanges, the program has demonstrated how equitable, multi-country partnerships translate investment into sustainable systems and shared momentum toward malaria elimination.

During MakSPH@70 celebrations in December 2024, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, State Minister for Primary Health Care, launched the School’s new five-year Strategic Plan alongside key partners from the Ministry of Health, WHO, and Makerere University leadership, including Council Chairperson Ms. Lorna Magara, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze. The Plan places partnerships at the heart of MakSPH’s vision for public health impact and comes at a defining moment as the School regains standalone status within Makerere University.
During MakSPH@70 celebrations in December 2024, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, State Minister for Primary Health Care, launched the School’s new five-year Strategic Plan alongside key partners from the Ministry of Health, WHO, and Makerere University leadership, including Council Chairperson Ms. Lorna Magara, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze. The Plan places partnerships at the heart of MakSPH’s vision for public health impact and comes at a defining moment as the School regains standalone status within Makerere University.

For nearly 15 years now, MakSPH has also hosted the NTU–Mak Partnership, a collaboration between Makerere University and Nottingham Trent University, first conceived in 2010, with Assoc. Prof. David Musoke and Prof. Linda Gibson as the Uganda and UK Co-Leads. One of the key reasons for the success of this partnership is equity, and it has since attracted over £1.4 million in grants, trained more than 900 Village Health Teams in Wakiso District, supported over 350 practitioners in antimicrobial stewardship, and facilitated exchanges for more than 200 students and faculty. It has also equipped community health workers to respond to non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the COVID-19 pandemic, while generating over 30 peer-reviewed publications and convening global platforms such as the first International Community Health Worker Symposium, held in Kampala in 2017.

Dr. Musoke, the Co-Principal Investigator for the project on strengthening equitable research collaborations in Uganda, described the NTU-Mak partnership as a model North–South partnership that has produced both joint scholarship and lasting institutional ties. He noted that its success has inspired wider collaborations, as the current project on equitable partnerships builds on this foundation. Emerging from a British Academy regional workshop in Nairobi in 2024, MakSPH extended its engagement to Mountains of the Moon University (MMU), Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), and the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). Together with Nottingham Trent University, these institutions are now advancing reforms to embed equity in research partnerships across Uganda’s research ecosystem.

Assoc. Prof. David Musoke, Mr. Awel Uwihanganye, and the MakSPH Equitable Partnerships Project Team during the workshop on equitable partnerships. August 20, 2025. Workshop on Strengthening Equitable Partnerships in International Research Collaboration in Uganda, keynote address by Prof. David Musoke Serwadda,20th August 2025, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Auditorium, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Assoc. Prof. David Musoke, Mr. Awel Uwihanganye, and the MakSPH Equitable Partnerships Project Team during the workshop on equitable partnerships. August 20, 2025.

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John Okeya

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