Kampala, 24 August 2024 – Uganda’s Ministry of Health on Thursday August 22nd launched its Climate Change Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP), a comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering the nation’s health system resilience against the impacts of climate change.
Adapting to climate change presents a substantial financial burden, with Africa projected to need up to $2.8 trillion by 2030 to fulfill its commitments under the Paris Agreement, according to the African Development Bank.
Uganda’s Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP), a critical step in this effort, requires an estimated $63 million by 2030.
Unveiled at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala by Third Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Rukia Isanga Nakadama, the H-NAP marks a milestone in Uganda’s response to the escalating climate crisis, particularly within the health sector. This ambitious plan underscores the urgent need to address climate-related health challenges and strengthen the country’s resilience.
Uganda has committed to addressing climate change as a signatory to key global agreements, including the UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, and Kyoto Protocol. In line with these frameworks, the Ugandan government has established supportive policies and laws, such as the National Climate Change Policy (2015), the Climate Change Act (2021), the Nationally Determined Contributions (2022), and Vision 2040.
Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama congratulated the Minister of Health and partners for developing the Climate Change Health National Adaptation Plan. She affirmed that the government would integrate climate resilience into the Parish Development Model, Uganda’s strategy for improving household incomes and welfare. The PDM focuses on multi-sectoral community development and addresses key aspects of livelihood enhancement, including human, natural, social, financial, and physical resources.
“In the Parish Development Model there is a need to integrate Climate change interventions. In addition, the National Development Plan III and the newly developed National Development Plan IV highlights Climate change as a cross-cutting issue requiring mainstreaming for all sectors,” said Rt. Hon. Nakadama.
Drawing on the latest climate science and projections, Uganda’s health sector adaptation plan pinpoints critical areas where enhancing resilience is urgent, with the goal of strengthening the adaptive capacity of the health system to climate change and related hazards.
“It is moments like this that make me optimistic and excited about a healthier future. We have gathered at a transformational moment in unprecedented times. I am sure all of you have seen and felt the effects of our changing world. Unpredictable weather events have brought both droughts and extreme flooding as you have heard. Outbreaks of cholera, malaria, yellow fever, measles, and more have become increasingly common,” said William Asiko, The Rockefeller Foundation Vice President for Africa.
Asiko noted that climate change is now the greatest threat of health and wellbeing of billions of people worldwide and that to meet that threat head-on, human beings must “innovate,” “rethink,” and “adapt our health systems from the threats.”
Rebuilding systems is a huge task, especially when lives are at stake, said Asiko, before adding that overcoming these obstacles has been The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission for over a century. “The fight for global health, has always been at the health of our work,” he stated.
William Asiko, The Rockefeller Foundation Vice President for Africa speaking at the launch of the H-NAP by the MoH.
The 2022 report on climate change from the United Nations noted that at least 3.3 billion people’s daily lives are “highly vulnerable” to climate change, and people are 15 times more likely to die from extreme weather than in years past, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report said.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health data show that malaria remains the leading cause of illness among pregnant women and children under five. Uganda also faces critical challenges, with 81% of the population lacking access to safe water, and only 35% having basic sanitation. This results in approximately 19,700 child deaths annually due to diarrheal diseases—equivalent to 54 children that die every day from poor sanitation.
Malnutrition further contributes to infant and child deaths, with 12% of infants born underweight. Adding to this burden are pollution-related deaths; in 2021 alone, over 1,000 people in Kampala died due to poor air quality, this is according to a scientific publication by researchers at the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 13 million deaths worldwide, each year are due to preventable environmental causes. Just to mention that air pollution from fossil fuels alone, kills 13 people every minute from lung cancer, heart disease or stroke.
These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for Uganda’s Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP) to address these interconnected challenges and build a more resilient health system.
Dr Christine Musanhu, the Acting WHO Representative in Uganda contends that; “We urgently need to take concrete and timely measures, to protect the health of our populations and build a resilient future.”
According to Dr. Musanhu, climate change is not just an environmental issue; but a profound threat to the health, well-being, and development of mankind.
Dr Christine Musanhu, the Acting WHO Representative in Uganda submitting during a panel discussion. Looking on is Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze.
“Our actions today, will have a long-term effect on protecting future generations from the health consequences of climate change. In collaboration with the Ugandan government, I therefore call upon all partners, to mobilize efforts to join our quest to protect the environment,” she said.
Following numerous disasters globally, WHO has been at the forefront of efforts, to build climate change-resilient health systems. Some of the key, WHO-supported global developments in this area include the: WHO Climate Resilient Health Systems Framework, a comprehensive framework, to guide countries in making their health systems resilient, to the impacts of climate change.
The Uganda’s H-NAP covers ten components based on the WHO framework aimed at building a climate resilient low-carbon health system which is capable of anticipating, responding to, coping with, recovering from. and adapting to climate-related shocks and stress, while minimising the greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts to deliver quality care and protect the health and well-being of present and future generations of Uganda.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor Makerere University called for determination and solidary in implementing the H-NAP to safeguard the population and generations to come against the uncertainties of climate change.
“The success of the National Adaptation Plan depends on the strength of our collaborations. It requires the concerted efforts of government ministries, health agencies, civil society organisations, the private sector, and the academic community. I wish to reiterate Makerere University’s commitment to being a key partner in this endeavor,” said Professor Nawangwe.
Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health of the Republic of Uganda said; “moving forward, any infrastructure projects in the health sector will be made to withstand the impact of climate change. In addition, Uganda will move forward to address the issue of greenhouse gas emissions by introducing solar lighting and solar refrigeration where applicable.”
Adapting Healthcare to Climate Change: Uganda’s Health National Adaptation Plan 2025-2030
On his part, Mr. Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment, says as a ministry mandated to coordinate climate change related issues in Uganda, they assess sector budgets to ensure they are climate smart. He noted communities must be protected from the dangers of climate change. He also called on citizens to play their roles in ensuring they mitigate climate change risks.
“We have been encouraging our population to take care of their individual responsibilities. This is not just a government responsibility but a responsibility for everyone. Climate change affects us irrespective of where we come from, our department etc. I want to applaud the Ministry of Health for coming up with this H-NAP because health is one of those components that had not been taken seriously at the global level in respect to climate change,” said Mr. Okidi.
Mr. Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment catches a light moment with Ms. Margaret Othieno Mwebesa, Uganda’s Climate Change Focal Person at the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC).
On her part, Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, a Professor and Dean, MakSPH said the School and Makerere University as whole will be working around research, teaching and partnering with various institutions to provide required evidence especially around supporting Uganda to be able to comfortably predict climatic issues, to ensure quality decisions.
Uganda’s National Climate Change Action Plan (2030) show that all sectors of the economy are vulnerable to climate change effects.
Mrs. Margaret Mwebesa Othieno, the Commissioner of Climate Change at the Ministry of Water and Environment said she was happy to have the Ministry of Health coming on board.
“We are very happy to see that sectors are coming on board. I would also like to say that Uganda is the second country to have the Health -National Adaptation Plan after Nepal. So, to us, this huge and I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Health and all other partners that have supported these efforts. Climate change is everybody’s business. We shouldn’t leave it only to a few sectors,” said Mrs. Othieno Mwebesa.
On behalf of the Government of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Nakadama urged all the Development Partners and stakeholders to continue supporting the implementation of the Climate Health National Adaptation Plan both at national and sub-national levels. She committed that her office would spearhead the mobilisation of the population towards climate resilient systems.
“The Office of The Prime Minister will coordinate the multisectoral engagements for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and also create awareness of the Climate Change Health Adaptation Plan,” said Rt. Hon. Nakadama.
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), through the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence (CoRE) for Preparedness and Response to Pandemics and Shocks, has shared findings from its study of Uganda’s Mpox response with stakeholders in Kasese, Amuru, Nakasongola and Mayuge districts to strengthen district preparedness for future outbreaks.
The Africa-Europe CoRE is a partnership co-led by MakSPH and the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters at UCLouvain, Belgium. It brings together universities in Africa and Europe to strengthen research, training and preparedness for pandemics and other public health shocks.
The district-level dissemination meetings, held from 10 to 14 August 2026, brought together more than 100 local government, health and security officials, Village Health Teams, implementing partners and community representatives. The meetings enabled stakeholders to validate the district-level findings, identify practical actions and provide feedback for the study’s final analysis and national dissemination.
Mr. Philliam Jabim shares the Mpox response study findings with participants during the dissemination meeting in Nakasongola District on 12 August 2026.
Uganda confirmed its first two Mpox cases on 24 July 2024 at Bwera Hospital in Kasese District. The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak on 2 August 2024. As documented in the study, the response involved health workers, communities, local governments, security agencies, political leaders, and implementing partners.
In response to the outbreak, a MakSPH research team led by Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo, Dr. Steven Kabwama and Mr. Douglas Bulafu conducted a study in May 2025 to assess Uganda’s Mpox response, including its policies, interventions, strategies and challenges, and generate lessons to inform recovery and strengthen preparedness for future public health emergencies.
Using purposive sampling, the research team conducted 20 key informant interviews and five focus group discussions in each of the four districts, drawing perspectives from western Uganda in Kasese, northern Uganda in Amuru, central Uganda in Nakasongola and eastern Uganda in Mayuge.
Participants and the MakSPH research team at the Mpox response study dissemination meeting in Nakasongola District on 12 August 2026.
The study, titled Assessment of the Mpox Response in Uganda: Documenting Challenges, Lessons and Innovations to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacities, was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere UniversityResearch and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF).
“This study is helping us move beyond recounting the Mpox response to identifying the actions that districts and national partners can take before the next outbreak. By validating the findings with stakeholders who led and experienced the response, we are ensuring that the evidence reflects local realities and can inform stronger surveillance, risk communication, coordination and community engagement,” said Mr. Bulafu, who led the MakSPH team during the dissemination meeting in Amuru.
Mr. Douglas Bulafu engages participants during the Mpox response study dissemination meeting in Amuru District on 10 August 2026.
In Amuru, the 10 August meeting brought together over 25 stakeholders from the district health team, political leadership, security agencies, Village Health Teams, implementing partners and the community. On the same day, a second MakSPH team, led by Mr. Keneth Sebukeera and Mr. Filimin Niyongabo, convened stakeholders in Kasese for a parallel validation meeting. The consultations then continued in Nakasongola on 12 August and concluded in Mayuge on 14 August, extending the study’s engagement across all four districts.
Across the districts, stakeholders said the results reflected their experience during the outbreak. They pointed to strengths in leadership, coordination, community engagement and partner support, while also describing gaps in documentation, logistics, diagnostic access, staffing, risk communication, public trust and continuity of essential health services.
They also noted inconsistent implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) 7-1-7 target, which calls for detecting a suspected outbreak within seven days, notifying public health authorities within one day and completing early response actions within seven days.
The MakSPH research team, led by Mr. Keneth Sebukeera and Mr. Filimin Niyongabo, with participants during the Mpox response study dissemination meeting in Kasese District on 10 August 2026.
In Kasese, stakeholders highlighted gaps in documentation, financial and logistical resources, and human resources. They identified Village Health Teams and grassroots, religious and cultural leaders as important resources for community surveillance and risk communication. They called for stronger collaboration between technical and non-technical leaders, engagement with traditional healers, greater use of local radio for public sensitisation, and better facilitation of district epidemic response teams to reach distant communities.
Amuru participants called for proactive preparedness in the border district, citing misinformation and rumours as barriers to risk communication. They urged timely, accurate information from health workers and other authorities; training in disease surveillance and grant writing to strengthen capacity and resource mobilisation; and compassionate care, psychosocial support and community awareness to reduce stigma and support survivor reintegration.
During the meeting in Nakasongola, stakeholders identified Community Health Workers and Community Health Extension Workers as potential resources for strengthening community surveillance and addressing workforce shortages. Given the district’s position around Lake Kyoga and along the Kampala-South Sudan transit corridor, they also called for stronger documentation, note-taking and reporting, accurate real-time information, closer communication with the Ministry of Health, and collaboration among technical, political, religious and community leaders.
Ms. Eunice Vivian Asingo, Senior Nursing Officer at Nakasongola Health Centre IV, contributes to the discussion during the Mpox response study dissemination meeting in Nakasongola District on 12 August 2026.
Ms. Eunice Vivian Asingo, Senior Nursing Officer at Nakasongola Health Centre IV, called for a permanent, adequately resourced outbreak-management centre to help protect routine services during future epidemics. “We appeal for better facilities to manage epidemics and outbreaks. At Nakasongola Health Centre IV, spaces previously used for outbreak management have been repurposed for other services, and we have limited staff. During the Mpox response, colleagues assigned to manage patients later returned to the general team, creating fear among staff already under pressure,” she said.
In Mayuge, Dr. Basembeza highlighted leadership, coordination and surveillance structures operating from district to community level as important factors in the response. He said the structures enabled the district to receive and respond quickly to community alerts. “Whenever there is a rumour or an alert, we are able to respond. Within 20 minutes, we had a response because of the structure we have,” Dr. Basembeza said.
Based on the findings, the research team recommends increased preparedness financing, stronger community engagement, decentralised diagnostic services through stronger district laboratory capacity, and improved health information and research systems.
Across the four districts, stakeholders reaffirmed that trusted community structures and coordinated action across sectors are essential to strengthening outbreak preparedness.
Every academic year, a new group of students enters Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with different professional backgrounds, questions and ambitions. For the School, each cohort adds to a growing community of professionals and researchers shaping public health practice, policy and research in Uganda and beyond.
On Friday, 7 August 2026, MakSPH held its orientation for newly admitted students for the 2026/2027 academic year at the MakSPH Auditorium. The orientation introduced students to the School’s academic programmes, leadership, departments, academic administration, student support services and expectations for university life.
For this academic year, ending July 2027, Makerere University admitted more than 370 students to academic programmes hosted at MakSPH. The intake comprised 75 students in the Bachelor of Environmental Health Science, the School’s only bachelor’s programme, 277 across the nine master’s programmes, and 21 across the two doctoral programmes, PhD by Research and PhD by Coursework and Research.
Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze (centre) with MakSPH staff, student leaders and new students during orientation for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The master’s intake includes 103 students in the Master of Public Health by Distance Education, the highest enrolment for the year, followed by 59 in the Master of Public Health Full-Time. The remaining students joined programmes in Biostatistics, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health Informatics, Health Services Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nutrition, and Public Health Disaster Management. Together, the programmes reflect the breadth of knowledge and skills needed to address public health challenges and bring together students pursuing further training from diverse professional backgrounds.
Welcoming the new cohort, MakSPH Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze urged students to approach their studies with purpose, discipline, and resilience, and focus on what they would be able to do with the knowledge and skills they acquire.
“Please find time to enjoy your journey. I know you’re looking ahead to exams and so many other pressures, but let this journey also be one that you enjoy in terms of what you learn and how you grow, so that you leave here better, not because of the paper that you took but because of the capability that you pick up during your time with us.”
MakSPH Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze addresses new students at orientation for the 2026/2027 academic year, 7 August 2026, MakSPH Auditorium, urging them to value capability over paper.
The Dean’s message speaks to the different reasons students are beginning their journeys at MakSPH. For some, the opportunity is to build on professional experience and strengthen their capacity in roles they already hold. Among them is Dr. Judith Nalukwago, a dental surgeon, former 85th Vice Guild President of Makerere University, and Makindye Division III Lord Councillor, who serves as Executive Secretary for Education, Gender and Public Health at City Hall and the Office of the Lord Mayor.
“I am back here to study a Master’s in Public Health. I am very excited. I have a clinical background and have been practising as a clinician, and it has been a joyful experience. But when I joined the journey of leadership, there were challenges because, as Executive Secretary for Public Health in Kampala, we deal with everyday people’s health challenges,” said Dr. Nalukwago, adding:
“Now I am in management and leadership, and that posed a challenge to me as an individual. I asked myself, what course can I do to add to my skills? Where can I gain skills that can help me overcome this challenge while I am dealing with people? And I remembered that we have the School of Public Health at Makerere University.”
Watch: Dr. Judith Nalukwago on why she returned to MakSPH for a Master’s in Public Health:
Her experience during the Ebola response, when she served on the task force, further highlighted the need for broader public health knowledge. She said the training would strengthen her ability to contribute to policy and public health management, particularly in her role at City Hall, where councillors develop policies, bylaws, and ordinances.
For Mr. John Othieno, the motivation is similarly grounded in applying his training to practical problems. A Software Engineering graduate who previously completed a Master’s in Health Informatics at MakSPH, he has returned to pursue a PhD under the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management. His research focuses on using technology and health informatics to address health-system challenges, including the adoption of picture archiving and communication systems for managing healthcare imaging and data. He said he wants his research to produce solutions that can be applied beyond academia.
“I purposed that, in my academic journey, I would not do research for the sake of having it gather dust on the shelves, but that it would actually be actionable research that can be translated into action, into solutions for our population,” he said.
Watch: Mr. John Othieno on why he returned to MakSPH to pursue a PhD in Public Health:
Nalukwago and Othieno reflect the diverse professional backgrounds that come together at MakSPH, where training, research, and community engagement have been central to the School’s work for over seven decades. Their journeys point to a sustained impact on public health education, seen not only in enrolment and graduate numbers but in the skills and expertise those graduates carry into policy, research, and health systems across Uganda and the region. At the close of the 2024/2025 academic year, MakSPH enrolled 1,140 students across 12 degree programmes, more than 90 percent of them in postgraduate training.
At Makerere University’s 76th Graduation Ceremony on 25 February 2026, MakSPH presented 231 graduates, comprising seven doctoral, 195 master’s and 29 bachelor’s graduates, adding to the health workforce within the region. Among the graduates was Dr. Harriet Aber, who completed her PhD on child substance use in Uganda’s health system and shared her experience with the new cohort during the orientation. She spoke candidly about the demands of postgraduate study and the need to remain positive through its challenges.
Dr. Harriet Aber, a MakSPH PhD graduate, shares her postgraduate journey with new students at orientation, 7 August 2026, MakSPH Auditorium, urging them to maintain a positive attitude through the challenges ahead.
“It’s not a rosy journey. You’re going to have so many moments where you celebrate, where you’re happy about something, but there are also several moments when maybe you’re stuck with the paper, you have to respond to comments, the proposal is not moving, the concept is not clear. Throughout all those processes, one of the things that you just have to maintain is having a positive attitude,” Aber affirmed.
Her experience offered the new cohort a glimpse of the journey ahead, while Prof. Wanyenze’s message focused on how they could make the most of it. The Dean urged students to plan ahead, pursue research opportunities, think independently, and use artificial intelligence responsibly, while seeking mentorship and making full use of the support and opportunities available at the School.
“Our students are our colleagues, and they are our future workmates. Many of them have ended up staying with us. And I know many of you are going to stay with us in the School,” the Dean said, urging students to take seriously the relationships they build with their classmates and faculty, because “we are a network that’s bound together in the same profession.”
On 5th August 2026, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) hosted the Director of the NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC), Dr. Steven Schiff, for a visit highlighting the College’s research, training and institutional partnerships supported through the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/Fogarty International Center.
The visit included engagements at MakCHS and Mulago National Referral Hospital, bringing together College leadership, Directors of teaching hospitals affiliated with MakCHS, research investigators and trainees. In attendance were Dr. Joseph Kagaayi who represented the Dean of the Makerere University School of Public Health, Dr. Elias Kumbakumba, Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Dr. Cissy Kityo Mutuluuza, Executive Director, Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC).
A key focus of the visit was the impact of D43 research training programmes supported by NIH/FIC. Principal Investigators presented examples of how the programmes have strengthened research capacity, developed new scientific expertise, supported postgraduate training and contributed to health research and policy in Uganda.
Welcoming Dr. Schiff, Professor Bruce Kirenga, Principal-MakCHS provided an overview of the College, its history, academic programmes, research priorities and extensive network of teaching and research sites. The College, Uganda’s premier centres for health professional education, currently brings together four schools: the School of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, alongside a range of research centres and specialised programmes.
Professor Kirenga highlighted the growing breadth of research at MakCHS, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, translational medicine, population health, mental health, digital health, implementation science, biomedical sciences, genomics, bioinformatics and data science.
Prof. Bruce Kirenga (Standing) makes his remarks.
CURRENT D43 PROJECTS AT MAKCHS
No.
Award Title
Principal Investigator
1
Reducing the Impact of Rheumatic Heart Disease across the Life Span: The Impact Program
Prof. Nelson Sewankambo
2
Enhancing Research capacity for Sickle Cell Disease and related NCDs across the Lifespan in Uganda. “Enrich Project”
Prof. Sarah Kiguli
3
Scaling Up advanced genomics and bioinformatics Research training in paediatric HIV/AIDS in Uganda – SURGE
Dr. Kyobe, Samuel
4
Training in Malaria Epidemiology, Translational Research, and Implementation Science to Strengthen Malaria Policy and Control in Uganda
Prof. Moses Robert Kamya
5
Strengthening behavioral and social science research capacity to address overlapping stigma, social and psychological challenges among people with HIV in Uganda
Prof. Moses Robert Kamya
6
Training in non-communicable diseases epidemiological, data science and Implementation Science research to strengthen evidence-based interventions, policy and control in Uganda
Assoc. Prof. Bruce James Kirenga
7
Building Implementation Science Capacity at Makerere University to Strengthen the Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Uganda
Prof. Moses Robert Kamya
8
Training in Malaria Epidemiology, Translational Research, and Implementation Science to Strengthen Malaria Policy and Control in Uganda
Prof. Moses Robert Kamya
9
Harnessing Health Data Science capacity to strengthen evidence-based interventions, policy and response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Uganda (H-DATA)
Prof. David Patrick Kateete
From research training to real-world impact
Presentations from D43 Principal Investigators demonstrated how sustained NIH/FIC investment has supported researchers at different stages of their careers while contributing to evidence that can inform health programmes and policy.
In malaria research, trainees have been involved in studies examining the effectiveness of interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets and the immunological consequences of reduced malaria transmission. Researchers are also investigating how malaria risk and immunity change when transmission is interrupted, generating evidence that can help inform strategies for sustaining the gains made through malaria control.
The implementation science portfolio provided another example of research translating into measurable health outcomes. One study examining enhanced counselling and peer support among young people living with HIV in south-western Uganda reported improvements in HIV-related outcomes, demonstrating the potential of locally-led research to strengthen service delivery.
Researchers in behavioural and social sciences have also been supported to investigate mental health and other health outcomes, illustrating the multidisciplinary nature of MakCHS research and the importance of combining biomedical, clinical and social science approaches.
Building capacity in specialised and emerging fields
The presentations also showcased the role of NIH/FIC-supported programmes in creating expertise in areas that were previously limited or unavailable within Uganda.
A programme focused on HIV research among pregnant women, children and adolescents has supported postgraduate and short-course training in areas including clinical trial design, pharmacokinetics, biostatistics, behavioural science, regulatory and ethical considerations, and implementation science.
Other programmes have contributed to the development of expertise in bioinformatics, genomics and data science, including the establishment and strengthening of postgraduate programmes. Researchers are increasingly applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to complex biomedical and HIV datasets, with the goal of generating evidence that can be translated into policy and practice.
Dr. Cissy Kityo Mutuluuza, Executive Director of the JCRC highlighted emerging work in gene and cell therapy under the NIH/FIC supported project Building Gene Therapy Capacity in Uganda implemented at JCRC. She explained that the programme includes efforts to establish sustainable research and training capacity for HIV cure research in Uganda. The programme brings together institutions in Uganda and international partners, with an emphasis on developing locally relevant expertise, infrastructure and research capability.
Dr. Cissy Kityo Mutuluuza (Standing) highlights JCRC’s work.
Strengthening institutions and developing future leaders
Beyond individual research projects, speakers emphasised the broader institutional impact of Fogarty-supported training.
Over the years, NIH/FIC-supported collaborations have contributed to the development of postgraduate programmes, research laboratories, specialised scientific disciplines and networks of researchers across Uganda. Trainees have progressed into academic and research leadership positions, with some becoming professors, programme leaders and advisors contributing to national health initiatives.
The programmes have also supported short courses, mentorship, international research placements and collaborations designed to enable Ugandan scientists to develop advanced skills and return to strengthen research and training at home.
Presenters stressed the importance of moving beyond individual training to building institutions capable of sustaining research programmes, mentoring future scientists, managing complex studies and translating findings into health interventions.
Research serving Uganda’s health system
The visit also underscored the close relationship between MakCHS research and Uganda’s health system. Researchers and faculty contribute to national programmes in areas including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, vaccines, maternal and child health and other public health priorities.
Evidence generated through research has helped inform national guidelines, programmes and policy discussions, while College researchers and teaching hospitals continue to provide expertise during public health emergencies and disease outbreaks.
The speakers noted that partnerships such as those supported by NIH/FIC are most valuable when they create lasting local capacity — enabling Ugandan institutions and scientists to generate and use evidence to address the country’s health priorities.
A partnership built on shared learning
Dr. Steven Schiff makes his presentation.
In his engagement with the College, Dr. Schiff reflected on the longstanding relationship between NIH/Fogarty-supported programmes and Ugandan researchers. He acknowledged the depth of expertise and experience that has developed through years of collaboration and emphasised the value of partnerships that support scientific exchange and capacity building in both directions.
Dr. Schiff noted that the presentations demonstrated impact of the partnerships which extends well beyond the number of people trained. Investments in researchers have helped establish new academic programmes, strengthen laboratories and research infrastructure, expand multidisciplinary collaborations and create a growing generation of scientists able to lead research in Uganda and internationally.
The visit therefore provided an opportunity not only to showcase ongoing work, but also to reflect on the evolution of research capacity at MakCHS and its contribution to Uganda’s health priorities.
As MakCHS continues to expand its research portfolio into emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, genomics, precision medicine, translational science and advanced therapeutics, the College reaffirmed the importance of strategic partnerships in developing the people, systems and infrastructure needed to turn scientific discoveries into improved health outcomes.
General5 days ago
General2 weeks ago
General7 days ago
General1 week ago
Computing & IS1 week ago