Veterinary & Biosecurity
Strengthening CoVAB’s Partnership with the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI)
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) and the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLRRI) agreed on the urgent need to formalize their relationship in the area of skilling, training, joint research activities, supervision, and joint grant writing. The two institutions are looking for ways to mutually benefit from each other’s strengths and expertise for improved productivity in their mandates leading to significant advancements in livestock research and education.
The staff of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), led by Principal Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, visited the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLRRI) in Nakyesasa on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024. They were welcomed by the Director of Research, Prof. Samuel Majalija, who, along with his staff, conducted a guided tour of the institute’s facilities and enterprises to gain learning experiences. The purpose of the visit was to forge a formal partnership between the two institutions in the fields of teaching, research, and outreach.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Samuel Majalija, formerly a Deputy Principal of CoVAB, noted that NARO values collaboration and synergy and explained that all the ongoing work at NaLRRI/NARO was rooted in both local and international partnerships, including those with Makerere University. He said the visit by the college leadership and staff was no mean achievement for NaLRRI/NARO, but a gesture of continued relationships between the two institutions.
During a meeting held after a tour of various enterprises ongoing at NaLRRI, Prof. Samuel Majalija emphasized the pivotal role of scientists in enhancing the country’s productivity. Lack of written documentation hampers knowledge transfer he observed and stressed the necessity of creating simple Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for every enterprise to instigate change nationwide. He expressed concern that despite being Uganda’s only livestock research institute, and the time he has been in the office of Director of Research, he had not seen any CoVAB students interning at NaLRRI. He challenged the college leadership to ensure that CoVAB students transition from theory to practical teaching and learning. Students need to be encouraged to gain hands-on experience, which is crucial for driving meaningful changes. Additionally, Prof. Majalija mentioned that NaLRRI/NARO was open to collaboration, with highly trained staff ready to engage with CoVAB students through Guest Lectures and skill-building initiatives. He emphasized the importance of Makerere University opening its doors to allow the research institute to tap into its extensive expertise.
Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, the Principal of CoVAB, acknowledged the warm welcome extended to CoVAB by the Director and staff of NaLRRI/NARO. He noted that the Makerere Strategic Plan 2020-2030, provides for a shift towards becoming research-led with increased emphasis on postgraduate training. Prof. Mwiine mentioned that Makerere benefits from a 30 billion research grant through MakRIF and highlighted ongoing collaborations with NARO, citing activities on the CoVAB land in Nakyesasa, which was originally part of NARO land. He said some NARO and Makerere University staff have in the past published jointly specifically in the field of livestock research and that both institutions were receiving funding through the Ministry of Science and Technology for vaccine development and emphasized the need for greater synergy and a convergence zone. Prof. Mwiine further stressed the need for continued collaboration with staff at NARO especially in student supervision and research publication.
The CoVAB Deputy Principal Assoc. Prof. James Acai Okwee, presented an overview of the ongoing research activities, challenges, and proposals for enhanced collaboration with NaLRRI/NARO. He outlined the existing research capacity in areas such as zoonotic pathogen screening for both human and animal infections, and the RTC’s work in researching ticks and tick-borne diseases. He also highlighted ongoing work at the Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health, which he said was leading the vaccine development efforts at CoVAB. Dr. Okwee noted that CoVAB acquired land in Nakyesasa in collaboration with NARO, and it was one of the areas where the college was undertaking activities like the livestock demonstration farms supported by the Korean government.
The Deputy Principal highlighted several challenges, faced by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity including unfunded student research, which leads to delayed completion, dropout, and lack of depth. He also pointed out the inadequate infrastructure that requires refurbishing and the unsustainable project-based approach to research, as opposed to a program-based approach. He criticized the ivory tower model, where training is disconnected from research and practice. Additionally, he noted that the college has a large concentration of 140 underutilized scientists.
The CoVAB team was given a tour of the labs, where they observed the state-of-the-art equipment and demonstrations in the Nutrition Lab. They also visited the Pasture field, where Research Officer Allen Molly led the team through various demos of pastures and legumes. These included both Indigenous varieties from different regions of Uganda and improved varieties like sogmaize, highlighting their efficacy for milk and beef production. Also visited was the Aflasafe facility which undertakes monitoring of the safety inclusive of the analytical platform used for quantifying the different contaminations in food and beef and developing bio-control products to counteract the aflatoxins. At the Dairy establishment, the visiting CoVAB team was conducted around the Zero waste infrastructure, right from the care and feeding of cows themselves to the technologies issued in processing dung into gas and other bye by-products including soap, shampoo, and manure among others. Also visited was the anti-tick Vaccine facility which is undergoing expansion and will eventually undertake massive vaccine production of Livestock vaccines which is already developed.
As a way forward, it was also agreed that the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity was bound to benefit from the high expertise of the staff at NARO by not only allowing them to teach at Makerere University but also enabling them to involve more of the CoVAB students in the NaLRRI/NARO research programs. The partnership would also enable the two institutions to make accessible all available equipment and facilities for use across the board as far as it is possible as well as harmonize training at master level/research.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
First Symposium on Bacteriophage Research & Applications in Uganda Highlights Remarkable Milestones & Future Prospects
Bacteriophage research and its applications were the focal point of the 1st Symposium on Bacteriophage Research and Applications, convened by Makerere University‘s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) on Thursday, March 27, 2025. This landmark event showcased Uganda’s strides in harnessing bacteriophages as innovative solutions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and other pressing health and agricultural challenges.
Key speakers included Dr. Jesca Nakavuma, CoVAB (Makerere University), who showcased Uganda’s pioneering phage research initiatives and vision. Tobi Elaine Nagel, the President of Phages for Global Health (USA), discussed the global significance of phage research. Prof. Martha Clokie, from the University of Leicester’s Centre for Phage Research (UK), shared insights into the latest advancements in phage therapy. Dr. Robert Blasdel, representing VASALE (Belgium), presented innovative solutions using bacteriophages. Ms. Abigail Riggs, from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), emphasized international partnerships and policy development.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Edward Wamala, Makerere University’s Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships, who represented the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the event, highlighted the critical role of bacteriophage research in addressing the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). He explained how the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human health, agriculture, and aquaculture have accelerated the emergence of drug-resistant bacterial strains, rendering standard treatments ineffective. Citing statistics from the World Health Organization, he pointed out that AMR claims over 1.3 million lives annually, a number expected to rise without urgent action. He lamented the stagnation of new antibiotic development due to high research costs and rapid bacterial resistance, making bacteriophage therapy a powerful and promising alternative.
Prof. Wamala expressed Makerere University’s commitment to advancing research that addresses critical societal challenges, aligning with its mission of generating transformative knowledge and fostering sustainable development. He emphasized Uganda’s potential to lead in bacteriophage research, driven by multi-disciplinary partnerships and capacity building. He also highlighted ongoing studies into aquaculture-specific bacteriophages at CoVAB as an example of how phage technology can revolutionize sectors like agriculture while addressing AMR. Through such efforts, the university aims to position Uganda as a global leader in innovative solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance and enhance public health.
Dr. Jesca Nakavuma, widely regarded as the mother of phages in Uganda, delivered a compelling presentation at the Symposium, where she detailed the impressive progress of phage research in Uganda since its inception in 2017. She highlighted Makerere University’s pioneering efforts, starting with a cohort of five undergraduate students, which have since expanded into groundbreaking research addressing challenges in agriculture, clinical health, food safety, and environmental safety. Key achievements include advancements in E. coli and Salmonella detection, tackling avian colibacillosis, and innovations in decontamination methods, underscoring the transformative potential of phage technology in combating antimicrobial resistance and enhancing public health.
The symposium honored collaborative efforts, including the establishment and accomplishments of Phage Team Uganda, which developed a repository of 125 characterized phage isolates and trained over 20 PhDs, MScs, and BSc students. Partnerships with international organizations such as IDRC InnoVet AMR and AU Safe Fish have significantly contributed to advancements in antimicrobial resistance and aquaculture.
Despite these achievements, Dr. Nakavuma noted challenges such as insufficient facilities for large-scale phage production, regulatory limitations, and financial constraints. She affirmed that despite the challenges, the team remained ambitious, envisioning the creation of a fully equipped Phage Research and Development Center, the commercialization of phage products, and the establishment of policy frameworks to support the use of phages in Uganda.
The Deputy Principal of CoVAB, Prof. James Acai Okwee, warmly welcomed the partners to the conference and acknowledged their invaluable contributions to the college’s research efforts. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving innovation and achieving impactful results, highlighting the pivotal role that partnerships play in fostering academic and scientific growth. Prof. Okwee’s remarks set an encouraging tone for the conference, reinforcing the college’s commitment to advancing research initiatives and creating opportunities for shared learning and development.
The event that attracted the participation of various stakeholders including academia, civil society, and policy makers, concluded with acknowledgments of the efforts of Phage Team Uganda, collaborators, and funders, setting the stage for an exciting future in Uganda’s journey to combat antimicrobial resistance and ensure food and environmental safety.
The Makerere University Biomedical Laboratory Technology Students Association (MUBLISA) recently organized a transformative mentorship meeting at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity (CoVAB) at Makerere University, inspiring students to excel in biomedical laboratory technology. The mentorship session aimed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application while promoting diversity, inclusion, and professional development.
Two accomplished alumni were present at the event and they shared invaluable insights into thriving in the professional landscape beyond academic lectures. Their stories resonated with attendees, providing practical advice and motivation to navigate the challenges of building successful careers. It was also attended by the Dean, of the School of Biosecurity, Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS), Dr. Claire M. Mugasa.
Dr. Kiyemba Stephen Kaggwa, the distinguished director of Ebenezer Laboratories, delivered an uplifting keynote address that left a lasting impression on students and professionals alike. Known for his groundbreaking contributions to biomedical laboratory technology, Dr. Kaggwa encouraged aspiring professionals to explore their field’s untapped potential and underscored the transformative role of mentorship in fostering personal and professional growth.
Dr. Kaggwa, who leads Ebenezer Laboratories, an institution celebrated for its dedication to accurate diagnostics and advancing medical science in the region as a prominent clinical laboratory based in Kampala, further demonstrated his commitment to healthcare innovation and patient-centered care. The inspiring event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of leadership, mentorship, and innovation in shaping the next generation of professionals. It left students motivated to not only succeed but also to make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields.
The other speaker, Ms. Eunice Ainomugisha, the Vice Chair of the Allied Health Professionals Council where she represents the medical laboratory reiterated the value of building meaningful relationships and staying organized to seize opportunities. Ainomugisha who illustrated her points by using her own experience as a struggling young girl to seize the available opportunities in the field, encourages the students to dream big and seek out the best for themselves despite the circumstances.
Dr. Gabriel Tumwine, representing the head of the Biomedical Laboratory Technology Department, Dr. Kato Drago highlighted the need for mentorship alongside academic training. He commended MUBLISA for taking the lead in empowering students to develop connections and skills essential for their careers. Students were inspired by the event’s message of perseverance, hard work, and the “power of right connections.” This pioneering mentorship program set the stage for many more initiatives aimed at equipping biomedical laboratory technology students with tools for success in academia, research, and industry.
The mentorship meeting not only celebrated the achievements of the department but also served as a powerful reminder of the impact Makerere University‘s graduates continue to make in advancing health and scientific research.
-
General1 week agoMastercard Foundation Scholars Program Scholarship Announcement AY 2025/2026
-
General2 days agoPre-Entry Examinations for Admission to Bachelor of Laws 2025/26
-
General4 days agoSsentamu Churchill Sworn-in as 91st Makerere Guild President
-
Business & Management2 weeks agoThe Women RISE Project: Building Resilience among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Artisanal Mining Communities through Transformative Research
-
Education2 weeks agoCEES Holds Open Day and Skills Expo to Empower Future Educators