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METS Newsletter June 2024

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The Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program is a 5-year CDC-supported collaboration of Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and Health Information Systems Program (HISP Uganda).

Highlights of the METS June 2024 Newsletter

  • Tracking Trends in HIV Outcomes: The Implementation of HIV Case-Based Surveillance
    • METS in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and various implementing partners, is spearheading the HIV Case-Based Surveillance (CBS) initiative across Uganda. By February 2024, CBS had been activated in 504 health facilities, with 349 sites (69%) actively transmitting data.
    • Trends of New HIV Diagnosis: An analysis trends over a 20-year period (2000-2022) revealed an increase in new HIV diagnosis over time, peaking in 2014 and 2018, before starting to decline. Diagnoses among females consistently exceeded those among males each year.
    • Case-Based Surveillance (CBS) complimenting other HIV surveillance programs: CBS provides valuable insights into infection patterns and highlights the need for targeted interventions, particularly among females. Next steps include continued scale up of CBS implementation to reach 80% of ART sites; improving data transmission from facility to the national repository to achieve at least 90% of the CBS activated sites; and strengthening data analytics and use of the data for program improvement.
  • Enhancing HIV Prevention Data Collection Through Bootcamps
    • METS in collaboration with HISP Uganda held a workshop in Mbarara to update the Health Management Information System (HMIS) tools for PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) in the HIV Prevention Tracker. The workshop focused on digitizing paper forms to efficiently collect data on key and priority populations.
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR) upgrades in Eastern Uganda
    • The two-week activity kicked off with a week-long training session at Northeast Villa in Kumi focused on the enhancements of UgandaEMR+, including improved point-of-care (POC) functionalities and data visualization techniques.
    • The initiative successfully trained over 15 AIDS Information Centre (AIC) staff members, including M&E leads, IT personnel, data officers, and M&E managers, in the practical use of UgandaEMR+. Additionally, the two facilities, Ochero HCIII and Kapelebyong HCIV, were upgraded and their staff trained on the new system.
  • Tribute to Dr. Joshua Musinguzi (9/09/1963 – 7/06/2024)
    • Dr. Joshua Musinguzi’s efforts to minimize HIV incidence and death strategically focused on translating knowledge into policies and actions, which has helped Uganda manage the HIV epidemic.
  • Gallery
    • Bidding farewell to Dr. Amy Boore, Program Director, Division of Global Health Protection – CDC
    • Analysing the UgandaEMR Clinical Laboratory Module
    • UgandaEMR+ training for USAID SITES
    • Training for clinicians at Ruharo Mission Hospital on SARI and ILI
    • HIV Treatment Services (HTS) Implementers Meeting

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Mark Wamai

Health

Call For Applications: MakNCD Masters and PhD Training Opportunities

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An aerial photo of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University showing Left to Right: The Sir Albert Cook Memorial Library, School of Biomedical Sciences, Davies Lecture Theatre, School of Public Health, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH)-Background Left and Nakasero Hill-Background Right, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Makerere University Non-Communicable Disease (MAK-NCD) Research Training Program is a research capacity building program based at Makerere University College of Health Sciences with collaboration at John Hopkins University and funded by the United States National Institute of Health-Fogarty International Centre (D43TW011401). The overall goal of this training program is to develop a comprehensive mentored research-training program in Uganda that will build local capacity to address the challenges of NCD control and management and promote the use of research findings to inform decision-making and policy.

PhD Fellowship

The PhD fellowship support is for up to three (3) years (full-time), subject to annual performance reviews and progress milestones. Successful scholars will be registered at Makerere University and may undertake sponsored didactic research methods training at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU), USA, to receive additional skills development and mentorship in NCD research. This call is targeting mainly junior researchers with interest in building an independent research career in noncommunicable diseases research with focus on Epidemiology, Data Science and Implementation Science research to strengthen evidence-based interventions, policy and control in Uganda.

Masters Fellowship

MakNCD is pleased to invite applications for Master’s level training in the following disciplines: Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Health monitoring and Evaluation. These training opportunities are intended to build a critical mass of professionals equipped with research, leadership, health systems, and management skills relevant to addressing the growing burden of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries.

Application Deadline: 23rd February 2025; Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

See below for detailed adverts

Zaam Ssali
Zaam Ssali

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Course Announcement: Certificate in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (CWASH) – 2026

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Graduands of the 2025 Certificate Course in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (CWASH) pose for a group photo at the Makerere University School of Public Health, following the successful completion of the short course in July 2025. Makerere University School of Public Health, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is pleased to announce the Certificate Course in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (CWASH) – 2026.

This intensive and practical short course is designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of professionals involved in the planning, implementation, and management of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services. The programme responds to the growing demand for competent WASH practitioners in local government, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.

Course Highlights

  • Duration: 8 weeks (01 June – 24 July 2026)
  • Mode: Day programme (classroom-based learning and field attachment)
  • Fees:
    • UGX 900,000 (Ugandans / East African Community)
    • USD 500 (International participants)
  • Application deadline: Friday, 27 March 2026

Who Should Apply?

  • Practising officers in the WASH sector
  • Environmental Health workers seeking Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
  • Applicants with at least UACE (or equivalent) and one year of WASH-related work experience

More Information

Additional details on course structure, modules, and delivery are available at: https://sph.mak.ac.ug/academics/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash

Important Note for Applicants

Attached to this announcement, interested persons will find:

  1. The course flier, providing comprehensive programme details, and
  2. The application form, which should be completed and returned to MakSPH together with the required supporting documents.

For full course details, application procedures, and contact information, please carefully review the attached documents. Eligible and interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline and take advantage of this opportunity to build practical competence in WASH service delivery.

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Mak Editor

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Holistic Retirement Planning includes Psychological, Emotional & Social well-being across all Career Stages

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The Chairperson MURBS Board of Trustees-Dr. Michael Kizito (8th Right) with Professor Seggane Musisi (7th Right) and Members after the session on 8th January 2026. Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) Member Sensitisation Session on "Understanding Identity Shifts; Developing Routines; Sustaining Motivation and Purpose", 8th January 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) on Thursday, 8 January 2026 organised a Member Sensitisation Session on “Understanding Identity Shifts; Developing Routines; Sustaining Motivation and Purpose”. The session focused on holistic retirement planning, emphasising that readiness for life after work goes beyond finances to include psychological, emotional, and social well-being across all career stages—from early career to post-retirement.

The session featured a keynote presentation by Professor Seggane Musisi, who highlighted how work-related titles and roles often shape personal identity, and how retirement can trigger a sense of loss if individuals are unprepared to redefine themselves. Members were encouraged to consciously design a post-work identity grounded in values, purpose, and community contribution.

Participants learned practical strategies for:

  1. Preparing early for retirement at different career stages;
  2. Developing healthy, meaningful routines that support mental stability and productivity;
  3. Sustaining motivation and purpose beyond formal employment;
  4. Managing stress, maintaining physical and mental health, and nurturing social connections; and
  5. Balancing family responsibilities with personal well-being.

The discussion also addressed cultural realities of retirement in Uganda, including family expectations, social obligations, and financial pressures. Special attention was given to age-related challenges such as dementia, depression, and chronic illness, underscoring the importance of preventive health care, emotional resilience, and timely professional support.

Overall, the session reinforced the message that retirement is a lifelong transition, not a one-time event. Members were encouraged to plan early, adapt continuously, and intentionally design a fulfilling, purposeful life beyond work—psychologically, socially, and financially.

To view the session, please click the embedded video below. Further below is the presentation.


Mak Editor

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