Health
Infrastructure Expansion for MakSPH, Vital for Uganda’s Public Health System – Prof. David Peters
Kampala— Professor David Peters, Dean of the Faculty of Health at York University, Canada, has hailed Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) as a global leader and a cornerstone of Uganda’s public health system. He emphasized the school’s vital role during the launch of its new state-of-the-art auditorium on March 15, 2024, part of its ambitious expansion plans to bolster Public Health capacity, training, research, and service across Africa.
Drawing from extensive experience in global health systems, Professor Peters emphasized the critical role of Makerere University in driving forward public health initiatives in the region.
The ambitious MakSPH new home building construction broke ground on 28th February, 2020. The project that seeks to address the increasing demand for public health education and research, with an estimated cost of $10 million USD.
While making a case for the building, the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda then, Henk Jan Bakker, announced the Dutch contribution to a tune of $420,000 through the Hague based Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education Nuffic and through the SET-SRHR project at Makerere University. This contribution was channeled to towards the construction of a state-of-the-art Auditorium, which is part of building design. Infrastructure forms the foundation of a healthy community and indeed as noted by Ambassador Henk, “Public Health is not only Uganda’s concern but also a global epidemic thus worth investing in.”
“I want to say how grateful I am to have been able to work with colleagues at Makerere University for now over two decades,” said Professor Peters.
Adding that; “The School of Public Health is responsible for educating and training critically needed public health workers for conducting critical science-based research that really addresses the origins of public health problems as well as for the prevention and intervention for diseases and disabilities and because it strengthens the practice of public health through knowledge translation.”
Professor Peters highlights the School of Public Health’s critical role in addressing historical and current public health challenges, including population growth, urbanization, inequity, justice, commercial influence, climate effects, and technological changes.
“And this is huge cost to the population, whether it be a maternal child, chronic diseases or aging, but also on epidemics and the costs, literally the catastrophic costs of health spending,” he said.
For Prof. Peter, while ideas on medicine and disease have really spread across countries and regions for millennia, efforts at public health and global level are really relatively recent from the last few centuries.
In the 19th century, historical concerns revolved around epidemics, famine, and conflict, closely linked to trade and environmental disruptions impacting industry and agriculture. This prompted nations to collaborate in safeguarding trade and preventing disease spread, laying the groundwork for international health regulations and the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Global public health education emerged from these efforts, rooted in scientific advancements like the germ theory and influenced by colonialism. Global health initiatives aimed to address health issues in other populations, with the Rockefeller Foundation playing a significant role in supporting and establishing schools of public health. The first, Johns Hopkins, founded in 1916, paved the way for numerous others worldwide, totaling around 35 new schools of public health, alongside several medical schools.
In modern global health, scientific advancements applied in resource-limited settings have saved countless lives. However, Professor Peters contends that this focus on biomedicine and technology, while successful in tackling specific health issues, often neglects broader local health system challenges.
He further notes that vertical and horizontal approaches, though effective at times, fail to address the comprehensive needs of communities and systems. Additionally, the dominance of Western institutions in global health perpetuates a crisis-driven mentality, prioritizing quick wins over sustainable, community-centered strategies.
This approach, exemplified during crises like the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, sidelines long-term planning and neglects social determinants of health.
Dr. Peters, also the former senior public health specialist with the World Bank argues that while science drives progress, it comes at the expense of sustainability, coherence, and holistic health approaches, favoring curative care over prevention, a perception he believes needs to change.
Looking ahead in global public health education, Professor Peters acknowledges Makerere University‘s leadership in this field and its ongoing commitment. He highlights the university’s efforts to tailor institutional design and curriculum to local needs, particularly evident in the Master of Public Health program at Makerere School of Public Health, including distance learning options.
Emphasizing the need for innovative teaching methods, such as active learning and interdisciplinary approaches, Professor Peters stresses the importance of practical experience and IT integration.
Renowned for his collaborative efforts in advancing health policy and systems research, implementation science, and enhancing institutional capacity in health systems, Professor Peters advocates for professionalism grounded in competencies. He champions collaboration among health and education stakeholders, policymakers, communities, professional organizations, and academia to drive the evolution of global public health education.
“You need to be socially relevant, coherent and accountable. This does mean that physical infrastructure is needed. Our twinning operation between Makerere and Uganda. We need the buildings for teaching, community convening and group work, but also for research wet labs, specimen storage, computing, for use of big data and for the IT infrastructure,” said Prof. Peters.
Learning between collaboration across institutions and linking global to local is really critical. He contends that Makerere School of Public Health is an essential to the public health system and a leader in this as well.
Taking inspiration from a program at the College of Health Sciences, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which aimed to enhance all health schools at Johns Hopkins and Makerere University, Professor Peters emphasizes the broader scope of the initiative beyond mere technological advancements.
Dubbed the “grander challenge,” the project focused on institution-building, innovation, and human resource development for sustainable healthcare delivery. Makerere University seeks to be a transformative institution, fostering academic excellence and innovation while driving positive health outcomes in Uganda and the broader East Africa region.
“See the Makerere School of Public Health as transformational and being able to develop and generate knowledge, develop capabilities at individual levels as well as the leadership and organizational levels to model best practices and to support organizations and to develop partnerships to stimulate change,” he says.
He notes that there is a strong investment case for infrastructure at Makerere University. “It provides education training, it conducts research, it strengthens practice. If you see it as an essential part of infrastructure, here’s something that colleagues in North America put together around, this is around the National Academy of Sciences saying that ‘investment in schools of public health should be seen as analogous to government support for public goods like national defense and transportation infrastructure. It is that important.’”
According to Professor Peters, a global review found similar things how what they do in terms of education and research but also towards sustainable development goals and what it does globally. And that you need funding, human resources, agency, collaborations, and infrastructure in being able to do that.
“We need your time, your talent and your treasure to be able to contribute to Makerere School of Public Health. I want to thank you and to finally say that Makerere School of Public Health needs you, but we all need Makerere School of Public Health,” Professor David Peters.
In 2021, the USAID ASHA Program awarded $1.1 million to create an augmented reality solution for Makerere University‘s new School of Public Health. Partnering with Johns Hopkins University under the leadership of Prof. David Peters, this funding aims to launch the Makerere University Centre of Excellence for Global Health.
Since 2000, Johns Hopkins has engaged in 48 collaborative research and training projects valued at over $6 million, spanning various fields such as doctoral training, medical education, laboratory training, and health systems development, including projects like the Asha Grant.
Caitlin Kennedy, a Professor of International Health, Social, and Behavioral Interventions at Johns Hopkins, expressed excitement about the university’s involvement in the building collaboration and eagerly anticipates exploring the new space and further nurturing partnerships cultivated over the years.
“I would like to send a sincere thanks to the Asha Grant and USAID for the amazing financial support. I hope others will see projects like this, and be inspired to provide more funding for public health infrastructure,” said Prof. Caitlin.
Caitlin Kennedy extends gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the building to shape, from the visionaries to the diligent planners and builders. She also thanks the faculty, staff, and students who will transform it into a vibrant learning environment.
“We at Johns Hopkins are really looking forward to continuing to do great public health collaborations with you in that space for many years to come. Thank you so much. Everyone and congratulations enjoy the space.”
Funds raised so far
Currently, we’ve raised a total of $4,804,314, but we still face a deficit of $5,195,686 for the construction. We’re grateful for contributions from various sources: MakSPH Staff Community ($46,043), MakSPH Departments ($144,972), Private Institutions/Companies ($52,528), Other Individuals ($131,949), and a generous donation of $675,000 from Makerere University. Additionally, MakSPH has committed $2,133,822 from internally generated funds, while the Rockefeller Foundation contributed $100,000 towards furnishing the auditorium. Your support is crucial in making a meaningful impact and driving transformation. Join us on this journey by contributing through https://sph.mak.ac.ug/givedonate.
Livelihood activities such as farming, livestock keeping, construction, and night-time work significantly increase malaria risk in Uganda, according to new research by Dr Kevin Deane, a development economist at The Open University, UK, and Dr Edwinah Atusingwize and Dr David Musoke, a Research Associate and Associate Professor of Environmental Health at Makerere University School of Public Health, respectively.
The study, Livelihoods as a key social determinant of malaria: Qualitative evidence from Uganda, published on December 2, 2025, in the journal Global Public Health, examines how everyday economic activities shape exposure to malaria, often undermining conventional prevention measures such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying. The findings are based on qualitative fieldwork conducted in June 2024 in Busiro County, Wakiso District, a peri-urban area with persistently high malaria transmission in Uganda.
Using a qualitative design, the researchers conducted 14 key informant interviews, 10 focus group discussions, and 11 in-depth interviews with households recently affected by malaria, engaging 100 participants from communities, health services, local government, and civil society across Kajjansi, Kasanje, and Katabi Town Councils, as well as Bussi Sub-County, in Busiro South. Their analysis, guided by the Dahlgren–Whitehead social determinants of health model, enabled the researchers to situate malaria risk within the broader social, economic, and environmental conditions shaping how people live and work.
In their findings, participants linked malaria exposure to agricultural practices, among which is maize cultivation near homes, which was associated with increased mosquito density during the rainy season. “One of the most common crops cultivated in Uganda, which many rely on as staple foods, creates environments in which mosquitoes are attracted to and thrive, often in settings where maize is grown near homes in rural areas and urban areas. This increases mosquito density around homes and contributes to increased outdoor biting and the number of mosquitoes entering houses,” the study argues.
Its authors say this poses a difficult policy challenge because maize is central to household food security, leaving few practical options for reducing exposure. They argue that proposals to keep maize away from homes are often unrealistic for families with limited land or those farming in urban areas, while targeted control during flowering periods may have limited impact given mosquitoes’ ability to travel beyond cultivation sites.
Beyond crop farming, the study reports that livestock rearing, especially zero-grazing cattle kept close to houses, attracts mosquitoes into household compounds. Other livelihood activities, including construction and brick-making, created stagnant water-filled pits that served as breeding sites, while night-time livelihoods, such as street vending, guarding, fishing, bar work, and brick burning, among others, prolonged outdoor exposure during peak mosquito biting hours. Gender further shaped risk, with women’s livelihoods and caregiving responsibilities frequently exposing young children alongside them.
“The evidence we present illustrates the unintended health consequences of development strategies intended to promote key livelihood activities, food security, and poverty reduction. There are no straightforward solutions given the complexity of these relationships and the importance of these livelihoods for many households,” the authors assert.
They conclude that malaria elimination efforts will fall short unless livelihoods and development activities are explicitly integrated into malaria prevention strategies, calling for stronger alignment between public health, agriculture, urban development, and economic policy.
Please see below for the study:
Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) continues to advance its internationalization agenda by strengthening cross-border partnerships and expanding student and staff mobility in response to global health training needs. Recognizing international collaboration as a cornerstone of contemporary health professional education, the College has established strategic partnerships with leading institutions, including the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), the Medical University of Graz (Austria), and Universitas Syiah Kuala Faculty of Medicine (Indonesia). These collaborations focus on joint research initiatives and the training of dentists and physicians.
During the period July–September 2025, MakCHS recorded increased inbound student mobility, hosting 86 short-term international students. The majority (73%) came from eight partner institutions, with Europe accounting for 64% of all inbound students. Norway led with students from the University of Bergen and the University of Agder, followed by Italy and the Netherlands. The College also hosted students from Somalia International University, Moi University (Kenya), and institutions in the United States. Most visiting students were medical trainees, with placements mainly in Paediatrics at Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital, as well as Emergency Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Kawempe National Referral Hospital.
These exchanges demonstrated strong bilateral commitment, notably with the Medical University of Graz, which sent students to MakCHS while simultaneously hosting MakCHS students, even in the absence of Erasmus Mundus Plus funding. Inbound mobility enriched the learning environment through intercultural exchange, inclusiveness, and exposure to diverse clinical and academic perspectives.
Outbound mobility also expanded significantly. MakCHS students undertook clinical rotations in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Austria. Two students completed hematology and oncology rotations at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, while others trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical Center–Fairview. Additional students undertook highly specialized rotations in paediatric surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, and cardiac surgery at the Medical University of Graz, gaining exposure to advanced, patient-centred healthcare systems and strengthening their global clinical outlook.
Staff outward mobility was equally notable. Several MakCHS staff and graduate students participated in the Annual Global Health Conference organized by NUVANCE Health, an international partner. MakCHS faculty contributed through presentations, posters, and panel discussions, highlighting research on decolonization in global health education, adolescent health, and global mental health. These engagements provided valuable networking opportunities with global health funders and reinforced the importance of transnational academic partnerships in advancing health equity.
Through sustained partnerships, increased mobility, and active global engagement, MakCHS continues to position itself as a key contributor to global health education, research, and practice.
Health
Makerere University and Tsinghua University Launch Landmark China–Uganda Joint Laboratory on Natural Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning
Makerere University has taken a decisive step in strengthening Uganda’s and Africa’s capacity for public safety, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience with the official launch of the China–Uganda Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Natural Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning, a flagship collaboration with Tsinghua University of China.
Launched during the Makerere University–Tsinghua University Symposium on Public Safety and Natural Disaster Management, the Joint Laboratory positions Makerere as a continental hub for cutting-edge research, innovation, and policy-relevant solutions in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and emergency response. The Laboratory will be hosted by Makerere University and is the only facility of its kind in Africa under this cooperation framework, underscoring its regional and global significance.
A Strategic Partnership Rooted in Research, Policy, and Practice
In his opening remarks, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University and Ugandan Co-Director of the Joint Laboratory, traced the origins of the partnership to 2018, when a Makerere delegation visited Tsinghua University and the Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research. He recalled being deeply impressed by China’s advanced capacity in public safety research, disaster monitoring, and emergency management capabilities that directly respond to Uganda’s growing exposure to floods, landslides, epidemics, and other hazards.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the successful establishment of the Joint Laboratory followed a competitive grant process under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, supported by the Government of Uganda and regional partners, including Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. He emphasized that the Laboratory aligns squarely with Makerere’s strategic ambition to become a research-led and research-intensive university, while also advancing its internationalisation agenda.
“This Laboratory will significantly enhance Makerere University’s ability to generate evidence-based research that directly informs government policy and public safety interventions. It will serve not only Uganda, but Africa at large,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
He further underscored the Laboratory’s national importance, noting that similar facilities in China are regarded as national-level laboratories, entrusted with supporting government decision-making and national resilience. Relevant Ugandan institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UPDF, Uganda Police, Ministry of Health, and humanitarian actors, are expected to actively participate in the Laboratory’s work.
Tsinghua University: Advancing Science Diplomacy and South–South Cooperation
Speaking on behalf of Tsinghua University, Prof. Yuan Hongyong, Dean of the Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research and Chinese Co-Director of the Joint Laboratory, described the initiative as both a scientific milestone and a powerful demonstration of South–South cooperation.
He emphasized that natural disasters transcend national borders and demand collective, science-driven responses. By combining Tsinghua’s technological expertise, including satellite monitoring, AI-driven analytics, and integrated early warning systems, with Makerere’s deep regional knowledge and policy engagement, the Joint Laboratory provides a robust platform for innovation, applied research, and practical solutions tailored to African contexts.
The Laboratory will function not only as a research centre, but also as an operational platform for natural hazard monitoring, early warning, risk assessment, and capacity building, supporting Uganda and the wider African region in building more resilient communities.
Government of Uganda: Research as a Pillar of National Resilience
Representing the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Frederick Edward Walugemba, reaffirmed the government’s strong support for the Joint Laboratory, recognizing research as a cornerstone of effective public safety and disaster management. The OPM highlighted its constitutional mandate to coordinate disaster preparedness and response through institutions such as the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre (NECOC).
He mentioned that the Office of the Prime Minister is committed to working closely with Makerere University and its partners, underscoring the importance of multi-agency collaboration, robust data systems, and timely policy advisories to address the complex, multidimensional nature of public safety challenges.
China–Uganda Relations and the Role of Science Diplomacy
Mr. WANG Jianxun, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Uganda, lauded the Joint Laboratory as a concrete outcome of the growing China–Uganda Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He emphasized that the collaboration reflects China’s commitment to knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and people-centred development, particularly in areas such as climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development.
He also highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative as a framework that extends beyond infrastructure to include scientific cooperation, academic exchange, and innovation-driven development, with the Joint Laboratory standing as a model of how universities can advance diplomacy through science.
Makerere’s Multidisciplinary Strength at the Core
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Nawangwe reaffirmed Makerere University’s readiness to operationalize the Laboratory through a multidisciplinary research team spanning public health, geography, engineering, computing, artificial intelligence, social sciences, and the built environment.
He stressed that effective disaster management must integrate technology, human behaviour, governance, and community engagement, noting the importance of sociological insights in addressing risk perception and public compliance during disasters. Makerere will also engage emerging universities and regional partners to ensure the Laboratory’s benefits are widely shared.
The Vice-Chancellor also commissioned an interim, multidisciplinary coordination committee to operationalise the Joint Laboratory, drawing expertise from health, climate science, engineering, artificial intelligence, social sciences, and government agencies.
Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo Officially Launches the Laboratory
The Joint Laboratory was officially launched by the Honourable John Chrysostom Muyingo, Minister of State for Higher Education, who applauded Makerere University and Tsinghua University for securing the prestigious grant and advancing Uganda’s science and research agenda.
Hon. Muyingo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting research that informs national development, public safety, and disaster preparedness. He urged Ugandan researchers to fully leverage the partnership to learn from China’s experience in transforming research into actionable solutions for society.
“This Laboratory is a clear demonstration of how strategic international partnerships can strengthen national capacity, inform policy, and protect lives,” the Minister said, as he formally declared the symposium and laboratory launch open.
Positioning Makerere as a Regional Centre of Excellence
Makerere University already plays a critical role in public safety, disaster preparedness, and early warning through a range of research, training, and operational partnerships. Through the School of Public Health (MakSPH) and the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), the University has led national and regional initiatives in epidemic preparedness, emergency response, and early warning, including Field Epidemiology Training, risk prediction modelling, and multi-hazard risk assessments that inform district and national preparedness planning. A national assessment of 716 health facilities conducted by MakSPH revealed widespread exposure to climate-related hazards and systemic preparedness gaps, directly informing the Ministry of Health’s Climate and Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP 2025–2030)
Makerere has also been at the forefront of disaster risk reduction innovation and community resilience through the Resilient Africa Network (RAN), which has supported scalable, evidence-based solutions such as EpiTent, a rapidly deployable emergency health facility; RootIO, a community-based radio communication platform used for risk communication and early warning; and RIAP Horn of Africa, which advances climate-resilient water harvesting technologies for drought-prone pastoralist communities.
Earlier, the University led the USAID-funded PeriPeri U project (2014–2019) and a disaster management collaboration with Tulane University, strengthening applied research, training, and early warning systems across Africa, efforts that laid the foundation for RAN and Makerere’s current disaster resilience agenda.
In collaboration with government and international partners, Makerere has supported the strengthening of Emergency Operations Centres, including the development of Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC) dashboards to improve real-time coordination and situational awareness. IDI has further contributed to epidemic intelligence and early warning, supporting districts to update WHO STAR-based risk calendars, strengthen sub-national preparedness, and enhance real-time decision-making during outbreaks. Makerere teams have also been deployed regionally to support Marburg and Mpox outbreak responses in Rwanda and the DRC, while advancing outbreak modelling as an early warning tool for high-consequence infectious diseases.
Complementing these efforts, the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences conducts transdisciplinary research on floods, landslides, droughts, soil erosion, and land-use change, using geospatial analysis, earth observation, modelling, and participatory methods to translate complex data into actionable early warning and risk information for policymakers and communities. These ongoing initiatives collectively demonstrate Makerere University’s established capacity in public safety, disaster preparedness, and early warning, providing a strong operational and scientific foundation for the China–Uganda Belt and Road Joint Laboratory.
With strong backing from the Governments of Uganda and China, as well as leading international partners, the China–Uganda Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Natural Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning is poised to become a regional centre of excellence for disaster risk reduction research, training, and innovation.
The Laboratory will contribute to improved early warning systems, faster emergency response, stronger policy coordination, and enhanced scientific capacity, cementing Makerere University’s role at the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing public safety challenges facing Uganda, Africa, and the global community.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office Makerere University.
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