Makerere University Finance Planning, Administration, and Investment Committee (FPAIC) led by Mr. Bruce Kabaasa conducted an inspection visit to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity as part of their university-wide tour on August 27th, 2024. The interface was part of the evaluation of budget execution for the 2023/2024 financial year.

While at CoVAB, the committee interacted with the management and staff of the college led by the Principal, Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, including the Deans of the two Schools, Heads of Departments, Principal Investigators of several projects, at the meeting convened in the CEBIGH conference hall.

Mr. Bruce Kabaasa, who was in the company of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, and other members of the committee noted that the university was moving towards denying researchers grants that do not respond to the needs of the university or the college.  ‘Those running grants try to ensure the project activities have a relationship with the host discipline for instance by improving the lab equipment to be used in teaching and learning. The center cannot continue considering issues of sanitation yet we have some overheads accruing from some projects in the units, he said, adding that the colleges needed to operate as a human body, where what happens in one area is felt everywhere with the principal on top of the game, and involving all stakeholders who must take a keen interest in what is going on.

The FPAIC’s visit to CoVAB was part of its broader mandate to ensure financial accountability, effective planning, and proper administration within the university. The discussions that followed a presentation on the budgetary allocations of the year 2023/24 focused on the utilization of funds across various schools and departments. The meeting also reviewed the performance report for the main and off-budget expenditures, highlighting key achievements, compliance issues, challenges, and proposed solutions.

Bruce Kabaasa in his remarks emphasized the need for the college to ensure that the Grants received follow the laid down structure of the institution to benefit the ongoing teaching and learning activities. He cautioned the college that funding next year was likely to be limited hence the need to use all available resources cautiously.  Regarding requests for extra staff, he said there was no way the university was going to give extra staff without establishing what those on the ground were doing. He informed the meeting that the university was to provide some funding to improve the state of labs CAES and CoVAB.

The team noted with concern that despite the resources allocated to improve E-learning in the university, this was not moving as expected. He urged the college to make its priorities including IT-related needs known to facilitate timely and adequate planning. ‘We are here to make sure that you demand what you need, and we want everybody to play their roles, he said while emphasizing the need for teamwork in the college.  He further explained that the uptake of MakRIF funds was henceforth going to be based on the relationship between the grant received and the unit outputs like teaching and learning.

The Principal CoVAB Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine pointed out several areas that needed to be addressed including the road accessing the Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health, the training centers at Buyana and Nakyesasa that needed to be invigorated, as well as transport challenges to enable students to go to the field for practical exposures in the field.

FPAIC mandate includes making reviews and approving proposed budget estimates from cost centers for council approval, overseeing the university’s banking and investment operations, and monitoring all expenditures under approved annual estimates. It also reviews requests for expenditures beyond approved estimates, makes recommendations, and prepares and submits the Development plans to the council.

The other role played by FPAIC is making proposals for fees and other rates to the Council, monitoring approved development programs to ensure they meet the university’s objectives, as well as maintaining an accurate, comprehensive inventory of university property. The committee also keeps records of the university’s staff establishments, conducts annual reviews of staff establishments, and makes recommendations for changes.

_{By Joseph Odoi}

A consortium of researchers from Makerere University‘s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity (COVAB) and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), with support from CRDF Global have piloted a cyberbiosecurity project to address the growing threat of cyberattacks on laboratories handling high-risk biological materials.

As per  the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA), CyberBiosecurity is the “safeguarding and mitigation of misuse, exploitation, damage to or disruption of valuable information, data, databases, equipment, and facilities at the interface of the biological laboratory, related life sciences facilities, and digital worlds.”

The project, titled “Establishment of Cyber Biosecurity Inventory and Procedures for Effective Safety and Administrative Controls for COVAB and UVRI Laboratories in Uganda,” is led by Associate Professor Lawrence Mugisha from COVAB, Makerere University, and Dr. Stephen Balinandi from UVRI.

While hosting the workshop on August 16, 2024  at the  Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health, Makerere University ,  Professor Mugisha  in a special way welcomed the participants  to the workshop. He noted that; Cyber threats and attacks have become a  serious threat to many establishments including (government institutions, business enterprises and other critical facilities like financial and health facilities) across the global disrupting services and causing serious financial losses in addition to individual and institutional safety.

‘’ More recently these attacks have extended and targeted laboratories handling biological materials including high risk and highly pathogenic organisms like anthrax, ebola, SARS-CoV2 viruses with potential for bioterrorism.

To contribute to data driven interventions  aimed at securing and protecting laboratory facilities handling high consequence/risk pathogens from cyber-attacks and the need for cyberbiosecurity,  Makerere University led by College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) in collaboration with Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) is implementing the first pilot project in Uganda on Cyberbiosecurity.

This collaborative project  is aimed at  mapping and identifying  potential cybersecurity threats to the biological laboratories at Makerere University and UVRI by conducting a thorough information and communication Technology (ICT) risk assessments.  The project will then develop comprehensive Cybersecurity Standard Operating Procedures, guidelines and manuals with a goal of establishing  Cyberbiosecurity Policy.  Furthermore, the project is aimed at  creating awareness about  cyber threats, cyber biosecurity, biosafety and biosecurity among staff, scientists/researchers and management at the two institutions to promote Cyber security best practices’’ explained Prof. Mugisha

In his opening remarks, CoVAB Principal Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine emphasized the reality of cyberbiosecurity threats, sharing that he himself has been a victim of a cybersecurity breach involving his atm. He urged the team to consider developing training projects focused on cyberbiosecurity and to build a strong cybersecurity research team within CoVAB and UVRI. Prof. Mwiine also called on the team to actively seek research opportunities around cyberbiosecurity adding that   CoVAB is open to collaborations.

Furthermore, Prof. Mwiine expressed his gratitude to Prof.  Mugisha for his tireless efforts in coordination and leading activities and projects  advancing ethics, bioethics and biosafety in Uganda, noting that Prof. Mugisha played a key role in establishing Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) at Makerere University. Prof. Mwiine also reiterated Makerere University’s commitment to cyberbiosecurity and biosecurity, highlighting the ongoing research collaboration between CoVAB and UVRI.

In her presentation centered around Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC), Sandra Matinyi, Co-founder and Executive Director of Nuo Bioscience, shared critical insights on the global guidance framework for the responsible use of life sciences. This framework, published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022, focuses on mitigating biorisks and governing dual-use research.

‘’With the emergence of new technologies and rapid advancements in life sciences research, there was previously no global guidance for identifying or mitigating risks related to dual-use research of concern until the WHO introduced this framework in 2022.’’

She noted that Uganda, while still lacking a specific policy on DURC, is among the first countries to pilot the introduction of the WHO framework. This positions Uganda at the forefront of adopting international standards for biosecurity, which is essential given the global nature of these concerns.

“As a country, Uganda has not yet developed a specific policy, but we are among the first to pilot the introduction of this framework.

‘’Mitigating biorisks and governing dual use research is a global issue as we live in a global village. Its a shared responsibility and everyone has a role to play including scientists, researchers, the public among others. The framework is based on a one health approach and it does not assume a one fits it all approach. We ought to customize framework to the Ugandan context.’’” added.

In her presentation, Dr. Monica Namayanja highlighted the critical importance of establishing a Bio-Risk Management Committee, the role of dedicated biosafety officers, and the need for specialized laboratory managers. She emphasized that the involvement of top management is crucial for effective bio-risk management, noting that continuous improvement in this area is essential for maintaining best practices.

During the workshop, participants and project team shared   lessons and facility based best practices desired for cybersecurity focusing on pertinent aspects of safeguarding digital and biological infrastructures.

The presentations also explored emerging topics in biosecurity including Dual Research (DUR), Dual Research of Concern (DURC) and Know Your Collaborator |(KYC)

The project, which started in April 2024 and is set to conclude in September 2024, was made possible with support from CRDF Global (Strengthening Individuals | Building Relationships | Improving Our World).

For More Information, please contact project Principal Investigator, Prof. Lawrence Mugisha, Tel.+256772566551, email: mugishalaw@gmail.com/lawrence.mugisha@mak.ac.ug

The Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources (LIR) in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR) at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) is committed to ensuring that the new students get the best experience and gain the needed skills for the competitive world of work.

Dr. Dorothy Nampanzira, the Head of Department LIR made this affirmation at the orientation meeting held at the college, where several staff from the department addressed the students, sharing their experiences and commitments towards giving them their best. The programs offered under the LIR department are Bachelor of Animal Production Technology & Management Technology (BAPT), Bachelor of Livestock Industrial Business (BILB), and MSc. Livestock Development, Planning & Management.

She assured the students many of whom had not made the programs they were admitted to as their first choice, that the programs were revised and very relevant to the prevailing situation in the country and assured them of having a successful career once they got focused and grabbed the opportunity at hand wholesomely.

The orientation covered areas like detailed explanations of the programs offered in the department which focuses on improving farm production and value addition of livestock products and wildlife resources, through teaching and learning, research, outreaches, internships, and peer-to-peer learning exposures. It also covered the teaching and learning methods including lectures, practicals, group discussions, illustrations, seminars, and online blended learning. The students were encouraged to appreciate the learning outputs and learn the aspect of self-study given the wide range of readily available information.

Students were urged to develop research skills early enough by getting curious, gaining abilities of perseverance, becoming critical thinkers, and learning to collaborate with colleagues and students.