Veterinary & Biosecurity
Rabies Exposure Assessment & Contact Tracing App (REACT), another milestone in rabies surveillance in Uganda; A status update of the implementation of the eRabies project
The eRabies project was launched in March 2023 at the Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health, Makerere University. To date, a lot has been realized through several stakeholders working together toward the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
This project is a collaboration between Makerere University‘s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, and the Universities of Zurich and Bern, and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The four-year intervention through its seven work streams was initially implemented in the Districts of Kampala, Soroti, and Kyegegwa and has stretched to include Arua, courtesy of other stakeholders including the NGO Mission Rabies that came on board along the way.
By the time of the launch, the stakeholders involved included Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, and the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), working in collaboration with the Universities of Bern and Zurich from Switzerland.
According to Prof. Sonja Hartnack, from the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, the project has addressed several work packages in addition to the initial Surveillance systems and integrated dog bite case management. During a project brief with staff at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity recently, it was revealed that the four-year project has made great strides as evidenced by the outcomes of several workshops conducted.
Prof. Sonja Hartnack said further to efforts towards the electronic surveillance of dog bites which started with the launch workshop held in August 2023, another workshop was held in Arua on May 2-3, 2024 for the pilot of the REACT App, a tool created by CDC and Mission Rabies for Integrated Bite Case Management. REACT is the abbreviation for Rabies Exposure Assessment & Contact Tracing App. The workshop brought together stakeholders from both animal and human health sectors, drawn from the district to national levels. During the workshop, there were in-depth discussions regarding the current rabies surveillance system across the four target districts in Uganda. The meeting explored how the REACT App can enhance the integrated bite case management system and data management process in rabies.
Prof. Sonja Hartnack who was in the company of CoVAB’s Terrence Odoch and Prof. Clovice Kankya said the pilot was to focus on integrated bite case management. This is the very first part which is still ongoing and there were concrete follow-up plans to try and foster this integrated bite case management. The Data to be collected was from both the point of view of the human-dog bite victim, but also captures whether the dog was vaccinated, provoked, killed, and a sample taken, all adding up in a true multi-sectoral and one health approach, she observed.
For the second work package which is about community engagement for rabies vaccination and dog bite prevention, she said there was already one Master’s student thesis submitted following both a qualitative and quantitative approach, and currently the student was finalizing the manuscript. Similarly, a paper on the Barriers to Vaccination at the community level and responsible dog ownership on the perceptions of dog owners was also written.
The other studies she said, focused on the identification of one strategy through a sensitization campaign. This would include many respects including mobilizing dog owners to bring their dogs for mass vaccination on selected days and places. Such places like Schools, she said, would enable educating the children. The other option would be conducting mass vaccination campaigns integrated with livestock activities whereby the communities will be asked to come with their dogs close to a point in the farm or to organize jointly with the human health activities.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Makerere University Equips Livestock Finalist students for a Changing Job Market
At a time when youth unemployment continues to challenge economies across Africa, Makerere University is taking deliberate steps to prepare graduates for success beyond the classroom. The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) recently hosted a Careers Day for finalists in the Bachelor of Industrial Livestock and Business (BILB) and Bachelor of Animal Production Technology and Management (BAPT) programs.
Held under the theme “Bridging Academic Training and Industry Practice: Preparing Livestock Graduates for Professional Excellence and Sector Transformation,” the event brought together academic leaders, government officials, industry practitioners, and human resource experts to share insights on navigating the transition from university to the world of work.
Inspiring Messages of Integrity and Resilience
Dr. Dorothy Kalule Nampanzira, Head of the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources, urged students to embrace integrity, resilience, and self-discovery as they step into professional life. “You are now adults, and wherever you go, you carry the name of Makerere University,” she reminded them.
Connecting Students to Opportunities
Dr. Sylvia Baluka introduced the Agricultural Sector Apprenticeship Programme, which provides paid placements to fresh graduates, offering hands-on experience and confidence-building opportunities. She emphasized the need for awareness and proactive applications to maximize access.
Rethinking Education and Work
Professor Anthony Mugisha challenged students to reflect on the difference between schooling and true education, urging them to become problem-solvers and entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
Government and Industry Perspectives
Speakers from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development highlighted Uganda’s untapped opportunities in agriculture and livestock, encouraging graduates to approach challenges as openings for innovation. Practical sessions on CV writing and interview preparation reinforced the importance of readiness and professionalism.
Student Reflections
Final-year students described the Careers Day as transformative, noting that it bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world expectations while boosting confidence in their career paths.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
From Classroom to Cattle Farms: Makerere Unleashes 100+ Job Creators in Bold Skills Revolution
By Moses Lutaaya
Kampala, March 31, 2026 — A powerful shift from theory to practical skills took center stage as over 100 graduates were unveiled as job creators during the 6th certificate award ceremony of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) at Makerere University.
The graduates, trained under the Africa Institute for Strategic Animal Resources Services and Development (AFRISA) through the Skills, Production, Enterprise Development and Accreditation (SPEDA) programme, were urged to lead Uganda’s transformation through enterprise, innovation and hands-on expertise in the livestock sector.
The ceremony drew strong messages from government and university leaders, all rallying behind one central theme: skills—not just degrees—are the future of Uganda’s economy.
Representing the Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Chief Guest, Dr. Anna Rose Ademun Okurut delivered a compelling address on behalf of Bright Rwamirama, praising AFRISA for closing the gap between farmers and technical expertise.
She conveyed the Minister’s appreciation for the programme and apologized for his absence, emphasizing that the initiative remains a priority for government.
Dr. Okurut did not mince words about the challenges facing Uganda’s agricultural sector. While the country continues to produce veterinary doctors, she noted that many prefer office-based jobs, leaving farmers without critical on-ground support.
“There is a big gap between the veterinary doctor and the farmer,” she said, stressing that diploma and certificate graduates are the backbone needed to deliver real services in communities.
She expressed concern over the low number of skilled graduates in animal production, admitting that her “eyes are not satisfied” with the output. She called on parents and institutions to embrace skills-based education, especially in animal husbandry and health, where interest has declined.
Drawing a stark comparison, she highlighted how many Ugandan youth working in the Middle East remain trapped in low-paying domestic jobs due to lack of skills, while their counterparts from neighboring countries secure better opportunities because of technical training.
“Not everyone must get a degree or PhD,” she emphasized. “Practical skills can equally transform lives.”
Dr. Okurut also pointed to critical inefficiencies in the livestock sector, including poor leather handling—where up to 80 percent of hides are lost—and improper milking practices that lead to diseases like mastitis. She called for expanded specialized training to address such gaps.
Encouraging the graduates, she described their journey as a strong foundation for success.
“You are winners,” she said. “Starting from a certificate is not a weakness—it is strength.”
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Director Graduate of Training Prof. Julius Kikooma described AFRISA as a game-changing model that is transforming higher education.
He conveyed the university leadership’s excitement about the sixth graduation ceremony, calling it a milestone in Makerere’s mission to drive innovation and community impact.
Prof. Kikooma explained that AFRISA was established in 2010 to address a long-standing problem—graduates leaving university with theoretical knowledge but lacking practical skills to change communities.
“AFRISA is not just an institute—it is a dynamic engine for transformation,” he said.
He highlighted its achievements over the years, including training thousands of youth and women, supporting livestock enterprises, and producing graduates who are now entrepreneurs, employers and community leaders.
He emphasized that AFRISA aligns directly with national priorities such as job creation, agricultural productivity and economic growth.
Addressing the graduates, he delivered a clear challenge, “You are not job seekers—you are job creators. You are solution providers.”
He urged them to take their knowledge beyond cities and into rural communities where it is most needed, encouraging them to start small enterprises but think big.
Looking ahead, Prof. Kikooma outlined AFRISA’s ambitious vision—expanding practical programmes, integrating digital learning, and strengthening community outreach to position the institute as a continental leader in animal industry transformation.
The Principal of COVAB, Prof. Frank Mwiine, painted a vivid picture of AFRISA’s journey, describing the graduation as both historic and transformational.
He traced AFRISA’s origins back to 2010 under the vision of Professor John David Kabasa, who sought to address youth unemployment and the disconnect between education and practical skills.
“AFRISA was created to redefine education as a tool for wealth creation and community transformation,” he said.
Over the past 16 years, the institute has evolved into a nationally and regionally recognized centre of excellence, operating as a semi-autonomous unit within COVAB.
Prof. Mwiine highlighted AFRISA’s unique model, which integrates teaching, research and community outreach while emphasizing competence-based, hands-on training.
He pointed to flagship initiatives such as the Nakasajja incubation centre in Wakiso District, where students gain real-world experience by producing, innovating and building enterprises.
The impact, he noted, has been significant, thousands of youth trained, hundreds of enterprises created, and strong partnerships built with government, NGOs and international organizations.
Addressing the graduates directly, he reminded them that they are stepping into the world as innovators and entrepreneurs.
“You have not just studied animal resources, you have turned them into business opportunities,” he said.
He challenged them to take their skills to villages, towns and cities, and use them to transform communities.
“Start small, but think big,” he urged. “Every poultry house, every piggery, every dairy unit can grow into a major enterprise.”
In a passionate closing address, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi called on graduates to act immediately and apply their skills.
He reminded them that the ceremony marked not just an academic achievement but the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and impact.
“You have been equipped with hands-on skills. This is your time—go and use them,” he said.
Prof. Buyinza emphasized that graduates had received training across critical sectors including dairy, poultry, feed production, laboratory science and livestock product development.
He urged them to pursue opportunities, embrace challenges and build meaningful careers.
“The biggest betrayal you can do to Makerere is to go back home and wait for employment,” he warned.
Instead, he encouraged them to create jobs, contribute to national development goals such as Uganda Vision 2040, and become part of the university’s legacy of transformation.
Graduates received a wide range of qualifications, including Ordinary Diplomas in Dairy Industry and Business, Feed Industry and Business, Poultry Industry and Business, and Laboratory Science Education and Industry, as well as Diplomas in Livestock Products Development.
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