Health
Research Links Social Support to Improved Contraceptive Decision-Making for Women
Researchers at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) are urging the Ugandan government to boost healthcare funding to enhance reproductive health services. Dr. Dinah Amongin, an obstetrics and gynecology expert at MakSPH, has expressed concern about the lack of access to family planning methods, which forces women to use less preferred options due to unavailability.
Dr. Amongin notes that within just six months to a year of using contraception, some women encountered issues and switched methods. This highlights the need for the Ministry of Health to improve the availability of various contraceptive options. A rights-based approach to contraception ensures that women have access to a range of methods, preventing situations where desired options are unavailable at health facilities.
“Stockouts are a significant issue, and this extends to parliamentary discussions on health sector budgets. As we focus on human capital development and improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, we must consider crucial components like preventing unwanted pregnancies through family planning. The budget allocation for the health sector directly impacts this issue. When women cannot access their preferred contraceptive methods due to stockouts, it reflects a failure in our legislative and budgeting processes. This situation forces women to switch to fewer desirable methods, which is not acceptable,” says Dr. Amongin.
Adding that; “These are things we need to continue discussing as a country but we must invest into family planning. We can talk about human capital development but until we step up and actually support women to prevent unwanted pregnancies, support them in their decisions of whether she wants to use a method for contraception or not. That is her choice. We must make sure access to the methods of her choice is actually addressed.”
Dr. Amongin’s comments follow a recent study on the I-CAN/Nsobola/An atwero social support intervention, piloted in Mayuge and Oyam districts in 2023. The study highlights that social support significantly improves women’s ability to make informed contraceptive choices, potentially leading to better reproductive health outcomes.
Part of the Innovations for Choice and Autonomy (ICAN) project, the study shows that self-injection with DMPA-SC (Sayana Press) could increase contraceptive use, especially among women with limited access to healthcare. Despite the rollout of this method in 2017, its use remains low in Uganda. Sayana Press as popularly known is a subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC). It is a hormonal birth control shot, administered under the skin and is an all-in-one contraceptive that puts women in charge of their reproductive health.
Social support boosts self-efficacy, enhances privacy, and reduces access barriers, making self-management easier. Family planning helps manage the number and timing of children, lowering maternal and infant mortality rates and reducing complications from pregnancy. Conversely, unmet contraceptive needs can lead to unintended pregnancies and their associated risks.
In Uganda, 52% of pregnancies are unwanted or mistimed, with over 43% due to unmet family planning needs. The country’s youthful population complicates the issue, with 50% under 17 years old, at least according to the recent National Population Census. Notably, 10% of girls, one in every 10 girls you encounter, has already had sex before she turns 15 years, and 20% of boys, two in 10 boys have engaged in sexual intercourse by the same age.
Methods of contraception include oral contraceptive pills, implants, injectables, patches, vaginal rings, intra uterine devices, condoms, male and female sterilization, lactational amenorrhea methods, withdrawal and fertility awareness-based methods.
Global statistics show that 77.5% of women aged 15–49 had their family planning needs met with modern methods in 2022, up from 67% in 1990. In sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion of women who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods (SDG indicator 3.7.1) continues to be among the lowest in the world at 56 per cent. Nevertheless, it also increased faster than in any other region of the world, having more than doubled since 1990, when this proportion was only 24 per cent.
Among 1.9 billion women of reproductive age (15-49 years), an estimated 874 million women use a modern contraceptive method and 92 million, a traditional contraceptive method. The number of modern contraceptive users has nearly doubled worldwide since 1990 (from 467 million). Yet, there are still 164 million women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy and are not using any contraceptive method, and thus are considered to have an unmet need for family planning.
Slow progress is due to factors like limited method choices, restricted access, fear of side effects, cultural opposition, and gender-based barriers.
Between 2015 and 2019, there were 121 million unintended pregnancies annually worldwide – 48 per cent of all pregnancies. Despite decreases in the rate of unintended pregnancy in all regions over the past three decades, nearly one in 10 women in sub-Saharan Africa, Western Asia and Northern Africa, and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand) continue to experience an unintended pregnancy every year
In Uganda, where healthcare services are stretched thin and women juggle numerous responsibilities, accessing contraceptives can be challenging.
Dr. Amongin emphasizes that self-injection methods like DMPA-SC, also known as Sayana Press could ease the burden on women facing long queues and logistical challenges at health facilities. “This method allows for discretion and reduces the need for frequent visits, which is crucial for women with busy lives,” she says.
Researchers argue that the health sector’s budget should include substantial funding for family planning. The high cost of inaction is evident: neglecting family planning leads to unplanned pregnancies, which ultimately burdens families and the nation. Addressing this issue early in the life cycle is crucial to prevent these long-term consequences.
“This is the gist of the matter behind all our research, that a woman’s preference needs to be respected. The health facilities must stock commodities so that when a woman is in need, she actually gets it,” noted Dr. Amongin.
Dr. Peter Waiswa, an Associate Professor at MakSPH, stresses the importance of informed choice in family planning. ICAN studies across Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda show that self-injection benefits all women, including young adolescents. “Supporting young people to make informed choices helps prevent unintended pregnancies,” says Prof. Waiswa.
“We spent four years trying to understand which women benefit from injecting themselves. And we found that all women benefit from it, including younger children. Because younger children in Uganda, whether we hide our heads in the sand or not, especially those 12 years and above are having sex and some of them using contraceptives,” Professor Waiswa says.
What is factually true is that by age 18, 60% of Ugandans have reported having sexual intercourse. Despite the benefits, dropout rates from family planning methods remain high due to side effects and lack of support. Dr. Waiswa also, a Public Health specialist, critique and dreamer for better health systems for mothers, newborns and children in Africa calls for better education and support to address these issues.
“As a way of being supported in a safe space whereby people are not asking questions, they are not fearing parents, they are not fearing other people, then they can use the methods. What we did in Mayuge and Oyam, we trained women who are users of family planning. To identify people who need to use family planning but are not currently using and then they go and see whether they can use or not. And we found that when people are supported, those groups which are currently not being reached can be reached by family planning,” argues Prof. Waiswa.
A 2021 study found that contraceptive discontinuation significantly impacts the effectiveness of family planning services, leading to higher fertility rates, unwanted pregnancies, and induced abortions.
Analysis of data from PMA 2020 show that 6.8% of women discontinued contraceptive use, with discontinuation linked to factors such as age, marital status, method type, and health concerns. The study suggests prioritizing interventions to encourage contraceptive use among young people and promoting partner involvement and awareness, as many contraceptive methods are not discreet.
Prof. Waiswa is concerned of the high dropout rate from family planning methods, where many women discontinue use due to side effects, a need for better education and support.
“We need to see how to educate women so that they are informed when they are choosing a method to use. They need to have enough information because when they discontinue, the method can be ineffective, can cause side effects, but also these methods are expensive, so they waste money. There are a lot of those who change to other methods. We are learning a lot on the use of family planning why we still have a large unmet need,” says Prof. Waiswa.
Ms. Roseline Achola, Technical Specialist for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Self-Care at the Ministry of Health, hailed the MakSPH study on self-injection contraception. She noted that the findings will help her enhance support for self-care initiatives. However, she expressed that only 29% of women willing to self-inject as indicated in the study is still low, highlighting a need to address barriers to increase acceptance as well as managing sexually active adolecents. “We must discuss how to handle minors seeking contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies,” she says.
On Friday August 23, 2024, the Daily Monitor reported, an increase in young girls adopting family planning to combat teenage pregnancies and school dropouts. Quoting data from the Uganda Health Information System, statistics show that between March 2023 and March 2024, 2,476 girls under 15 had their first antenatal care visit, and 1,755 gave birth. The highest number of pregnancies among this age group was in Oyam district.
In this period, Lango subregion saw 52 pregnancies among this age group, with Oyam district recording the highest at 10 cases. The 2021 UNFPA fact sheet indicates that Busoga region, particularly Kamuli and Mayuge districts, has the highest rates of teenage pregnancies, with 6,535 and 6,205 cases respectively.
“As the country, it’s clear that adolescents are limited to access to contraception because of so many reasons. For us as a Ministry, any woman between the age of 15 to 49 is a woman of reproductive age and that tells you that she is capable of getting pregnant and when such a girl of probably 15 years goes to a facility to seek for contraception, it rings a message that actually she is sexually active. So how do we handle her? So that is a matter of discussion for the country.
It is a matter that the nation needs to decide on, because we all know the girls are getting pregnant, the girls want to use contraception, but they have no access because of the fact that they are children,” wondered Achola.
Unintended pregnancies and Uganda’s abortion paradox
Abortion in Uganda, is largely illegal except in specific circumstances. It contributes to maternal death due to unsafe practices. Between 2010 and 2014, WHO reported that 30.6million abortions conducted were safe and 25.1million were unsafe. 97% of these occurred in developing countries. In East Africa, the total number of abortions per year according to the Lancet are around 2.65million.
The Ministry of Health’s HMIS data show a rise in abortion cases, with 96,620 reported between July 2020 and June 2021in both government and private health facilities.
Another recent study on the quality of post-abortion care by MakSPH researchers Assoc. Prof. Lynn Atuyambe, Dr. Justine Bukenya, Dr. Arthur Bagonza and Mr. Sam Etajak highlights the need for accurate post-abortion care data to improve healthcare planning and policymaking.
Dr. Arthur Bagonza, a Public Health Consultant and Research fellow with specialization in health systems at MakSPH and one of the uality of post-abortion care has called for accurate abortion data to improve healthcare planning and policymaking. He notes that health workers often avoid documenting abortion data due to legal fears and calls for reforms to restrictive laws to ensure accurate reporting without legal repercussions.
“All assessed health facilities reviewed in our study achieved a 100% timeliness rate for report submissions. However, significant disparities were observed in data accuracy between different levels of health facilities, with lower-level facilities (HC IIs and HC IIIs) showing higher rates of data discrepancies,” says Dr. Bagonza.
According to Dr. Amongin, the high incidence of early sexual activity among Uganda’s youth is a pressing public health issue.
“We know as a country many women continue to die following unsafe abortions; abortions for pregnancies that they did not want. And these abortions are highest among adolescents and also other women categories.
We would want to ensure that we actually enhance access to contraceptives, but making it easier for them to have it and putting the power in the hands of a woman to as much extent as we can. So that a woman can practice what we call self-care, but of course she also will need the support of the healthcare system. But we want this power in women’s hands because of all the challenges that the women actually can encounter in accessing these methods,” she said.
On her part, Achola insists that abortion should not be a last resort for women and urges them to abstain or use protective means in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies. She notes that as long as abortion remains illegal in Uganda, many health workers will avoid addressing it, leading people to unsafe alternatives.
“I can’t be happy because abortion means we have failed to give people a method of their choice to prevent that pregnancy. Or the people are not able to access contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies. Abortion is not the last resort, it’s not a solution because it has its own complications as well,” says Achola.
Despite this, Achola, notes most of the women who walk in health facilities with post-abortion complications must be attended to. “Whereas we don’t encourage people to do abortions, as Ministry of Health we are mandated to handle all complications for anyone who walks in our facilities because our priority is to save life. We want to urge women to avoid certain things. Why should you wait for unintended pregnancy to occur and then abort?”
Dr. Charles Olaro, a Senior Consultant Surgeon and the Director Health services – Curative in the Ministry of Health highlights the financial burden on individuals seeking health services and suggests exploring private sector opportunities and community-based approaches to improve access. “We need to balance values and rights while addressing access barriers,” he notes.
According to Dr. Olaro, the autonomy and agency of women in sexual and reproductive health, particularly in African cultures remain a challenge where social norms may require women to defer decisions to their partners.
He notes that there is a high burden of abortion and self-harm, with a significant portion of maternal mortality attributed to sepsis, which is often a result of unsafe abortions in Uganda.
“We still need evidence to ensure that access barriers are addressed. And this is a question I keep on asking Makerere University, yes, we have a young population but how are these people accessing contraceptives. Other issue we have to deal with is complex. I know we have to do a balance between values and rights, but we will be able to look at that when they gain the success to do it.”
Dr. Olaro points out that individuals often face a financial burden in health services, spending more on prescriptions than on the medications themselves. He suggests exploring private sector opportunities and a community-based approach to improve access to healthcare.
NB: The PMA surveys are spearheaded by Associate Professor Fredrick Makumbi and Dr. Simon Kibira of MakSPH, with support from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Health. The initiative also receives funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at Johns Hopkins University and Jhpiego.
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.
Health
Makerere University Explores Strategic Partnership with Tsinghua University in Safety Science, Disaster Resilience and Public Health
Makerere University has taken a significant step toward strengthening global research collaboration following a high-level meeting between Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and a delegation from Tsinghua University’s Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research, one of China’s leading centres of excellence in disaster prevention, public safety, and emergency management. The engagement marked a renewed commitment to advancing scientific cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in addressing complex environmental and public health challenges that continue to shape national and global development.
A Partnership Anchored in Shared Challenges and Global Priorities
In his remarks, Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that the concept of comprehensive public safety, spanning natural disasters, epidemics, infrastructure failures, and social risks, is increasingly relevant to all colleges and disciplines at Makerere. Uganda’s experience with epidemics such as Ebola, cholera, and COVID-19; frequent landslides in mountainous regions; flooding events; and rising traffic-related incidents place the University in a unique position to contribute applied research, community-based insights, and local knowledge to a global scientific dialogue.
He noted that the Tsinghua presentation revealed new areas of alignment, particularly in epidemic modelling, early-warning systems, and integrated emergency management, areas where Makerere’s public health scientists, medical researchers, and social scientists have extensive expertise.
“This collaboration offers meaningful opportunities for nearly every college at Makerere,” he noted. “Public safety touches the environment, public health, engineering, social sciences, ICT, humanities, and urban planning. The challenges we face as a country make this partnership both timely and essential.” Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted.
Tsinghua University: A Global Leader in Comprehensive Public Safety.
The delegation from Tsinghua University outlined China’s national investment in Public safety over the past two decades, an effort driven by the recognition that life and security are the foundation of sustainable development. Tsinghua’s Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research has developed nationally recognised research platforms and large-scale simulation facilities dedicated to Natural disaster modelling (earthquakes, landslides, floods, typhoons, Infrastructure and urban systems safety, Public health emergencies and epidemic preparedness, Early-warning, monitoring, and emergency communication, Traffic and transportation safety, Post-disaster reconstruction and resilience planning.
Their systems currently support over 100 provincial and municipal emergency management centres in China, underscoring their global leadership in practical, scalable solutions for disaster risk management. The delegation reaffirmed that Uganda’s lived experience with multiple hazards presents opportunities for meaningful knowledge exchange. They expressed particular interest in learning from Makerere’s work on epidemic response, community health systems, and the social dimensions of disaster management.
Emerging Areas of Partnership
The meeting identified several promising pathways for long-term collaboration:
1. Joint Research in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate-Related Hazards
Both institutions expressed readiness to co-develop research projects on landslides, floods, urban resilience, and multi-hazard modelling, drawing on Tsinghua’s advanced simulation technologies and Makerere’s environmental expertise and geographic field realities.
2. Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Epidemic Response
Makerere’s renowned public health schools and research centres will collaborate with Tsinghua on epidemic prediction, early-warning systems, and integrated preparedness frameworks, leveraging Uganda’s decades of experience managing high-risk disease outbreaks.
3. Infrastructure and Urban Safety, Including Traffic Systems
With Uganda experiencing rapid urbanisation and high rates of motorcycle-related road incidents, Tsinghua shared insights from China’s own transformation, including infrastructure redesign, transport modelling, and public transit innovations. Collaborative work in this area would support city planning and road safety interventions in Kampala and other urban centres.
4. Academic Exchange and Capacity Building
Both sides expressed interest in student exchanges, staff mobility, co-supervision of postgraduate research, and specialised training programmes hosted at Tsinghua’s world-class safety research facilities.
5. Development of a Joint Public Safety Laboratory at Makerere
The institutions are exploring the establishment of a collaborative safety research platform in Uganda. This initiative could serve as a regional hub for innovation in emergency management, environmental safety, and technology-driven risk assessment.
Towards a Long-Term, Impactful Collaboration
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to develop a structured partnership framework in the coming months, supported by both universities and aligned with Uganda–China cooperation priorities. Both teams acknowledged that the partnership must yield tangible results that enhance community resilience, bolster national preparedness systems, and foster scientific capacity for future generations.
Prof. Nawangwe commended Tsinghua University for its willingness to co-invest in research and capacity building, noting that such collaborations position Makerere not only as a leading research institution in Africa but as an active contributor to global scientific progress.
“This partnership has the potential to transform our understanding of the science of public safety to deliver solutions that safeguard lives.” Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted.
“It aligns perfectly with Makerere’s mission to be a research-led, innovation-driven university responding to the world’s most urgent challenges.” He added.
As part of this strategic partnership engagement, Makerere University will, on Wednesday, 17th December, co-host the Makerere University–Tsinghua University Symposium on Public Safety and Natural Disaster Management. The symposium will run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the University Main Hall, Main Building.
This symposium represents a deepening of collaboration not only between Makerere University and Tsinghua University, but also a broader strategic partnership between Uganda and the People’s Republic of China.
During the event, H.E. Zhang Lizhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda, together with the State Minister for Higher Education, Government of Uganda, will officially launch the China–Uganda Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Natural Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning. The Laboratory will be hosted at Makerere University, positioning the University to play a central role in strengthening Uganda’s and the region’s capacity for natural disaster preparedness, public safety, and emergency management research.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
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