Natural Sciences
Mak Researchers Set Out to Address the Challenge of African swine fever in Uganda
The Project is supported by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
Overview
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral haemorrhagic disease of domestic pigs; and has recently spread to new areas including Eastern Europe and in Asia as far as Papua New Guinea. This disease has neither vaccine nor treatment and is currently a big challenge to many smallholder pig farmers in Uganda. In Uganda, ASFV genotype IX has been reported to cause outbreaks on a regular basis and is an impediment to development of the swine industry. The disease was previously reported with a mortality of 100%. However different forms of the disease have recently been observed in domestic pigs. Indeed, some studies have shown that pigs that survive ASF become resistant to the same viral isolates although they do not produce classical neutralizing antibody. These observations could have the key for vaccine development strategies.
The research project
Through a project titled “African swine fever virus (ASFV) severity and viral genomic structural features: opportunities for development of a vaccine in Uganda”, a team of researchers led by Prof. Charles Masembe from the Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences at Makerere University registered the need to correlate clinical studies of ASF virus with full genome sequences and virus structural data to identify potential candidate genes for vaccine development. The team set out to isolate and characterise highly virulent and low virulent ASF viruses circulating in the swine population in Uganda using next-generation and Electron Microscopy to inform the development of ASFV vaccines and other therapeutic strategies. The team also set out to sequence the whole genome of low and high-virulence African swine fever viruses circulating in the domestic pig population in Uganda; compare the whole genome sequences of low and high-virulence ASF viruses in Uganda, and to find genomic variations and their effects on the virulence and viral evolution. Whole blood and organ tissue samples together with clinical-epidemiological information, were collected from acute and chronic cases of pigs in reported ASF outbreaks in the districts of greater Masaka, Greater Gulu, Mukono, Wakiso, Kakumiro, and additionally in other districts were outbreaks were reported during the study period. The project was supported by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF). Other members on the project are; Assoc. Prof. Vincent Muwanika (Co-PI), Dr. Rose Ademun (Scientist), Dr. Mathias Afayoa (Scientist), Dr. Tony Aliro (Field Scientist), Mr. Peter Ogweng (Field Scientist), Mr. Mayega Johnson Francis (Lab Technologist), Okwasiimire Rodney (Lab Technologist), and Mr. Bright Twesigye (Administrator).
Dissemination of the research findings
On 15th May 2024, the project team held a workshop at Doves Nest Hotel in Gulu District to disseminate the research findings, and to fact check by mapping pig farms, abattoirs, slaughter slabs, and pork restaurants in both Gulu District and Gulu City for on-going and future research.
The workshop was officially opened by the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Gulu District, Mr. Okidi Cosmas James on behalf of the CAO. In his remarks, Mr. Okidi appreciated the project team, noting that the workshop was timely since piggery as a poverty alleviation programme had been embraced by most farmers as a replacement for cattle. Sharing his experience, he expressed concern over the increasing threat of ASF, a factor he said was undermining the growth of the swine industry in Uganda.
During the meeting, the Project PI, Prof. Charles Masembe presented the status of ASF research in Uganda and globally, highlighting the complexity of ASF, dangers of ASF, ASF diagnostic advances, importance of keeping pigs and scientific efforts to control ASF, including the advances in the development of the ASFV vaccine.
Other presentations focused on ASF control and prevention mechanisms, potential role of production systems in ASF transmission, community involvement in disease control, spatio-temporal spread of ASF at the wildlife-livestock interface, the role of carrier pigs in ASFV transmission and maintenance, biosecurity implementation and challenges. All these presentations evoked discussion points from the participants. Participants expressed the need to understand how ASF is transmitted, and the extent to which farmers can trust veterinarians since they are considered to spread the disease. They highlighted the need to institute quarantine during ASF outbreaks and called for sensitization on the acceptable methods for disposing off infected pork. Another concern arising from the meeting was the need to understand if ASF is zoonotic and if not, why ASFV infected pork should not be eaten. Participants also sought guidance on why farmers should continue to keep survivor pigs if they spread ASFV, and why the government has not constructed slaughter slabs in all villages to control the spread of ASFV.
Recommendations by participants;
- Strengthening community awareness through different production departments in the district and city by organizing workshops as closer to the farmers as possible for example at every parish or ward.
- Makerere University ASF research team should collaborate with Gulu University, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Studies so that ASFV diagnosis and research is jointly done at the University which is nearer to the farmers for quick response to ASF outbreaks.
- City, District, and sub-county leaders should formulate a by-law to enforce the implementation of ASF control and prevention methods.
During plenary, participants were tasked with mapping pig farms/farmers, abattoir/slaughter slabs and pork restaurants in their respective sub-counties in Gulu District and Gulu City, in addition to generating a comprehensive farm/farmer list in the two areas. Mapping was successfully done and presented for purposes of clarity by each team representing a particular sub-county. The participants were then given a template to populate on the farm/farmer list since they could not recall all farms/farmers name and their mobile phone contacts.
Remarks by Gulu District RDC
In his closing remarks, the RDC of Gulu District, Mr. Oryem Auric thanked the research team for choosing the district for the workshop, noting that the feedback from the participants indicated that the workshop was very beneficial to them. He pledged to dedicate some of the free airtime offered to his office on Radio Mega, a popular FM Radio Station in Gulu City affiliated to Radio Uganda, towards the popularization of the project activities. He reiterated that the objectives of the project were in line with the current Government of Uganda programme on wealth creation through the Parish Development Model and the 4 acre model of which piggery is one of the means recommended for poverty alleviation by the President of Uganda. He called on the farmers to embrace and utilize the knowledge acquired to improve their farms and increase their household incomes.
Makerere University Convocation has honored Mubiru Enock Joel with an award in recognition of his outstanding academic performance. Mubiru, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics, scored a CGPA of 4.91, making him the best student in the sciences at Makerere University this year. The award, which included a plaque and a cheque of UGX1 million, was presented to him by the Chair of the Convocation on January 14, 2025, the second day of the 75th graduation ceremony.
Overall, the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) presented 310 students for the award of degrees of Makerere University at the 75th graduation ceremony. Of these, 14 graduated with PhD (5 female 9 male), 36 MSc (10 female and 26 male) and 260 BSc (113 female and 147 male).
In the course of the 75th graduation ceremony that started on 13th January and will end on 17th January 2025, a total of 13,662 graduands will receive degrees and diplomas of Makerere University.
 Of these, 143 will graduate with PhDs, 1,813 with Masters degrees, 11,454 with Bachelor’s degrees and 243 with postgraduate diplomas. 53 % of the graduands are female and 47% are male. 44% of the PhD graduands are female. A total of 491 graduands will receive first class degrees. 16% of the students will be graduating with post-graduate degrees and diplomas.
Chancellor’s Address
In his address, Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga congratulated the graduands on their success and expressed appreciation for the support provided by the lecturers, administrators, parents, and guardians. He emphasized that the success of the university is a collective effort, appreciating the faculty and University Council for their critical roles in delivering quality education.
Dr. Kiyonga also extended his gratitude to the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, and the NRM government for their invaluable financial support to Makerere University. The Government has so far allocated UGX30 billion to Makerere University through the Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
Looking to the future, Dr. Kiyonga encouraged the University to increase its outreach programmes, particularly in the agricultural sector. He proposed collaborations with medium- to large-scale farmers, where students could gain hands-on experience while also assisting farmers in local communities. He also advocated for stronger partnerships with the private sector to support the commercialization of innovations emerging from Makerere University.
Furthermore, the Chancellor highlighted the President’s directive to teach Political Economy to all university students. He stressed the importance of transforming Africa through the strategic utilization of its resources and emphasized the value of political economy knowledge in this process.
Vice Chancellor’s Address
In his remarks, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated the graduands and expressed deep appreciation for the unwavering commitment of the teaching staff, administrators, parents, and guardians. He also welcomed the Chancellor, Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga, emphasizing that his vast experience would be an asset to the institution.
Prof. Nawangwe acknowledged the College of Natural Sciences for providing foundational training for all the other science-based disciplines at the University. He also commended the College for its ground-breaking research and contribution to the development of mathematics in the region. “The College of Natural Sciences is unique because it handles all the foundation disciplines for all the other science-based disciplines. But apart from the basic sciences, the College provides training and conducts research in critical applied science disciplines, including geology and petroleum studies, industrial chemistry, and others. The College is central in the development of mathematics in the East and Central Africa region and it has also taken the initiative to investigate the problem of poor performance in biology by secondary school students,” the Vice Chancellor noted.
He encouraged the graduands to seize every opportunity and to consider starting their own enterprises, using the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies. “Do not despair if you cannot find employment. Instead, reflect on the immense opportunities around you and consider entrepreneurship as a path to success,” he urged.
Message from the Minister of Education and Sports
On behalf of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, the Minister of State for Primary Education, Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, congratulated the graduates and thanked the university for its commitment to excellence in education and research. She emphasized the transformative power of higher education and praised Makerere University for its contribution to the nation’s development.
She also expressed gratitude to the parents and guardians, acknowledging their critical role in the success of the students. “Your support has played an integral part in making this achievement possible,” she said.
Commencement lecture by Prof. Puleng LenkaBula
In her commencement lecture, Prof. Puleng LenkaBula, Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa, expressed gratitude for the support that Makerere University and Uganda provided in the fight against apartheid. She encouraged the graduands to use the knowledge acquired to address the continent’s challenges, particularly in the transformation of Africa and the empowerment of women. Prof. LenkaBula called for greater collaboration among African intellectuals to create a better future for the continent, particularly through research that directly benefits communities.
Research Excellence and Teacher Recognition
At the ceremony, Makerere University recognized outstanding researchers and educators from CoNAS. The Senior Researcher Award was presented to Assoc. Prof. Juma Kasozi (Department of Mathematics), Assoc. Prof. Charles Masembe (Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences), and Dr. Jamilu Ssenku (Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology). The Mid-Career Researcher Award went to Dr. Julius Mulindwa (Department of Biochemistry), Dr. Patience Tugume (Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology), and Dr. Patrick Ssebugere (Department of Chemistry), while Dr. Omara Timothy (Department of Chemistry), Dr. Mukiibi Ssewannyaga Ivan (Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies), and Dr. Sadik Mustafa Abubakar (Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology) were recognized as the best Early Career Researchers. In addition, Prof. Ann Akol (Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences), Dr. Sadik Mustafa Abubakar, and Dr. Kalega Peggy (Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies) were honoured as the best teachers of the year from CoNAS.
Transcripts and Certificates
Graduates who participated in today’s ceremony can collect their transcripts from their respective colleges.
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