Connect with us

Health

Meet Laura Silovsky, a Makerere University Graduate with Refugee Roots Bridging Continents

Published

on

On Tuesday January 14, 2025, under the radiant rays of the Ugandan sun, Laura Silovsky crossed the stage at Makerere University’s 75th Graduation Ceremony to receive her master’s degree in Public Health Disaster Management (MDM). Hers is a story of passion, dedication, and curiosity to rewrite the narrative of global education. Among 1,813 master’s graduates, Laura’s story stood out, as a blend of refugee roots, firefighting bravery, and a drive to decolonize learning.

Laura’s journey began long before her arrival in Kampala. Born in the UK to a father who fled from Czechoslovakia’s dictatorship in the 1970s, she grew up understanding displacement intimately. “My father was a refugee. Why would I fear refugees?” she once asked during her research fieldwork in Uganda’s West Nile, where her empathy bridged divides.

“People in Uganda may not expect that a muzungu could be the child of a refugee, but my family experienced displacement from (what was then) Czechoslovakia as well as the effects of the protracted conflict in Northern Ireland. Fortunate to have been born in the UK, I was raised to appreciate that disasters can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime.

After studying Sustainable Development at the University of Edinburgh, I worked on a behavior change project tackling non-communicable diseases in Scotland,” Laura says.

Laura Silovsky outside MakSPH on graduation day. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Laura Silovsky outside MakSPH on graduation day.

Her journey twisted through battling Australia’s bushfires and volunteering in a COVID pandemic, but it was Uganda’s welcoming refugee policies and Makerere University’s academic excellence that pulled her in next.

“In 2020, I relocated to Australia, just after the worst bushfires since records began and before the COVID-19 pandemic. The following two years, I qualified as a firefighter and supported bushfire recovery by volunteering with a community-based organization. After gaining some insight into these different disasters, I made the decision to return to higher education, and so I applied for the MDM programme at Makerere in 2022,” says Laura.

Armed with experience in emergency response, Laura was drawn to the field’s multidisciplinary nature and was convinced she needed to expand her expertise beyond immediate recovery efforts. She aimed to explore the full disaster management cycle and the intricate connection between health and environment.

“I needed to combine gaining academic knowledge with developing practical skills, so the field placement offered within the master’s degree in Public Health Disaster Management programme was a major motivator for me,” she shared.

The love for Uganda

Studying at the University of Edinburgh, Laura took a class in Kiswahili, that included a field-based short course on the Tanzanian shores of Lake Victoria. This experience sparked a desire to spend more time in the region, but she knew she needed to expand her skill set in order to genuinely add value to an organisation, if she was on the continent.

“I hoped studying at an East African university would teach me invaluable soft skills needed to work more effectively as an international team member. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) has a strong reputation, and I wanted to study somewhere that was locally grounded but globally recognized. Uganda’s progressive refugee policies were an added incentive to learn from experts here,” Laura says.

Laura’s intentional choice to decolonize her education

“I came to Uganda to learn from the experts here,” Laura declared, rejecting Eurocentric frameworks. “A big factor for me wanting to study at Makerere University was to decolonize my education, to recognize that the knowledge about responding to public health disasters and supporting refugees is here in Uganda,” she says.

She adds, “When I first arrived, I was quite vocal with my classmates about wanting to challenge that bias and truly acknowledge the wealth of knowledge within institutions like Makerere. The expertise here is invaluable, and I was intentional about decolonizing my education.”

Laura Silovsky with some of the 2022 MDM cohort outside MakSPH building after an exam. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Laura Silovsky with some of the 2022 MDM cohort outside MakSPH building after an exam.

At MakSPH, Laura immersed herself in courses like epidemiology, struggled briefly with statistics, but thrived on critical discussion groups and consultation with lecturers.

Collaborating with classmates from Uganda and across East Africa, she learned Luganda phrases and Somali proverbs, and built a “family” united by late-night study sessions and shared ambitions.

Beyond expectations

For Laura, studying at MakSPH was the best decision she could have made. She is still struck by the faculties’ wealth of academic and professional experience in public health and disaster management.

“I anticipated the programme would focus on applying the knowledge we gain to real-world scenarios. Of course, there were cultural differences that took me time to adjust to. I am grateful to faculty members such as Prof. Christopher Garimoi Orach, for his dedication and support, Prof. Elizeus Rutembemberwa for leading by example and valuing students’ time, and Dr. Justine Bukenya and Dr. Simon Kibira for offering their extensive support as my dissertation supervisors.”

The Fieldwork Attachment that Transformed Laura’s Research Experience

At Rhino Camp refugee settlement in West Nile, Laura’s work took on new meaning. Partnering with the Uganda Red Cross Society, she helped digitize data tools and walked long distances through Tika Zone, inspecting latrines and speaking with South Sudanese girls about their challenges in managing their menstrual health through their project that focused on schools.

Laura Silovsky conducting focus group discussions in a school in Rhino Camp in Northern Uganda with a team from the Uganda Red Cross Society. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Laura Silovsky conducting focus group discussions in a school in Rhino Camp in Northern Uganda with a team from the Uganda Red Cross Society.

“That experience in West Nile influenced my own research ideas, and it was a privilege to later return to Rhino Camp for data collection. I will always remember the long days walking with my research assistants through villages and being graciously welcomed by so many respondents,” she recalls, noting that the experiences crystallized her resolve to advocate for refugee dignity globally.

Life in Kampala  

Life in Kampala, with its vibrant energy and unique challenges, was truly a ‘full sensory experience’ for Laura. “My parents live in a small village, so Edinburgh felt like a big city when I moved there. And Edinburgh is much smaller and quieter than Kampala! But on weekends, I loved going downtown to shop at Owino Market or heading to Kyadondo Rugby Club for some pork.”

These spaces were perfect for Laura, offering new cultural experiences, including matooke, a starchy dish not found in the UK, which is mainly eaten in Uganda as a local delicacy and staple meal. Despite the differences in culture, sharing meals with classmates provided Laura with a comforting sense of connection.

Back to academics, navigating the university administrative processes wasn’t seamless initially for Laura, though. She says administrative hurdles such as paper-based systems, could change for the university to comfortably enjoy its strong reputation.

She recalls, right at the beginning, when she couldn’t find sufficient information online to support her to complete her application to join Makerere University. However, she later received support from the University’s International Office that deals with the welfare of international students.

Other university officials, from finance, librarians, program administrators, to academic registrars, played a key role in supporting her in her research and postgraduate training. “The system relies on dedicated individuals,” she noted, calling for digital reforms while praising MakSPH’s “atmosphere of innovation.”

“From my experience, such as when obtaining my transcript, the system relies heavily on individual staff members working around these administrative challenges. I’m grateful for those who helped me navigate this, and I’m interested to see how the university continues its digital transition, as it could greatly streamline processes in the future,” says Laura.

A Bittersweet Graduation Day

On graduation day, Laura’s pride mingled with melancholy. Watching families cheer on graduates, she reflected on classmates sidelined by finances or family crises.

Having gone through the course and interacted with Ugandan students, Laura hints on the common financial and personal challenges preventing many from graduating: family illness, new children, sponsorship falling through.

“I know so many of my classmates had worked so hard and were almost over the finish line but, due to financial challenges or other commitments at home, it wasn’t possible for them to graduate this year,” she says.

“For me, I was able to make the choice to pursue this program before having children, so I had fewer responsibilities at home, and I had also been saving for many years to get the money to pay tuition. Because I knew I had the money for tuition before I started, I could focus on studying. As you know, the reality for many people is that that’s not always possible.

“Small supports can transform student experiences,” Laura emphasized, advocating for systemic empathy. She sees great potential for more pastoral support at the university, citing peers from UCU and Kyambogo who benefited from accommodations like private breastfeeding spaces and flexible deadlines in special circumstances. Such initiatives, alongside financial aid, could significantly improve student welfare.

Still, the ceremony’s electric energy—watched via livestream by her parents in Europe—symbolized hope. “Uganda taught me that collaboration transcends borders,” she reflected.

Laura Silovsky (Right) at the graduation ceremony alongside fellow graduands Juma Said Tusubila and Ssali Abdallah Yahya. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Laura Silovsky (Right) at the graduation ceremony alongside fellow graduands Juma Said Tusubila and Ssali Abdallah Yahya.

“You could feel this sense of how hard everyone had worked to reach up to that point and that this was really an opportunity for them to celebrate, particularly by having family and friends around to be able to see. I love the PhD awards, when you see the PhD students coming out and their families rushing up to greet them. To me, that’s the best part of the ceremony, because a PhD requires so much work and commitment, and I think it’s really emotional to see everyone share this moment with their support networks,” she says.

Adding that; “…I was so grateful that the ceremony was streamed online. My family were watching live at home in Europe and it was so special that they could see me on camera and participate in the ceremony that way as well.”

Laura noted striking similarities between Makerere and Edinburgh’s ceremonies, especially the moment when students were asked to turn and thank their families, an emotional and powerful tradition.

Looking Ahead

Now in Tanzania, Laura eyes roles with international NGOs, armed with Ugandan-taught pragmatism and a zeal to challenge Europe’s refugee policies. “MakSPH gifted me more than a degree—it reshaped my worldview,” she says.

“As a muzungu with a Ugandan postgraduate education, I feel privileged to have benefitted from different educational perspectives, and I hope that the skills and knowledge I acquired during my time at Makerere will help me to secure a role with an international NGO. After witnessing the incredible support that Uganda provides to refugees, I also hope to advocate for more dignified policies concerning refugees in Europe,” she shares.

“There’s a spirit of innovation and dedication at Makerere, particularly when passionate lecturers like Prof. Orach, Dr. Roy Mayega, or Dr. Victoria Nankabirwa engaged students through discussion and sharing lived experiences. You could really see a different level of engagement within the students as well. Overall, I’ve had such a fantastic experience at Makerere University.”

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” she smiles.“Except maybe convince more Europeans to study here. Africa’s wisdom is the future.”

Davidson Ndyabahika

Health

MakCHS Staff recognised for their contribution to health at 2025 HIHA Awards

Published

on

Staff from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) recognised for their contribution to the health sector in Uganda and beyond during 6th edition of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) held 14th November 2025 during the Africa Health Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. Professor Moses Galukande (Right) and Dr. Mary Nabbosa (Left) with Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (Centre) after receiving their respective Minister’s Special Recognition Awards.

Professor Moses Kamya, Professor Nelson Sewankambo, Professor David Serwadda and Professor Moses Galukande, staff from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) were recognised for their contribution to the health sector in Uganda and beyond. The recognition was at the 6th edition of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) held on 14th November 2025 during the Africa Health Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Kampala.

Professors Kamya, Sewankambo and Serwadda won the Excellence in Health Academia Award. The award is in recognition of their outstanding contribution to advancing health policy, practice and innovation through teaching, research and mentorship. HIHA organisers noted that the legacy of the three professors inspires the next generation of health leaders.

In comments from staff at MakCHS the professors are summed up as, ‘senior colleagues, teachers, and mentors for the lifelong dedication to strengthening health systems, advancing ground-breaking research shaping national policy, and training generations of public health leaders. Their work has elevated not only Makerere University, but the entire health sector in Uganda and beyond’.

Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Dr. Diana Atwine with Professors Moses Galukande (Left), Nelson Sewankambo (3rd Left), David Serwadda (2nd Right) and another official. Staff from the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) recognised for their contribution to the health sector in Uganda and beyond during 6th edition of the Heroes in Health Awards (HIHA) held 14th November 2025 during the Africa Health Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Dr. Diana Atwine with Professors Moses Galukande (Left), Nelson Sewankambo (3rd Left), David Serwadda (2nd Right) and another official.

Professor Moses Galukande received the Minister’s Special Recognition Award for his outstanding service and dedication to advancing health outcomes and innovation.

HIHA is an annual public-private partnership initiative launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Health in Uganda with support from Xtraordinary Media. It is a public choice award where members of the public nominate and vote for individuals, organizations, and programs making outstanding contributions to the health sector. The awards aim to recognize and celebrate unsung heroes across Uganda, including frontline health workers, innovators, researchers, policymakers, students, and community health champions. “Strengthening Health Systems, Empowering Communities through Self-Care and Sustainable Solutions,” emphasizing the importance of community engagement, innovation, and resilience in healthcare delivery was the theme for HIHA 2025.

Zaam Ssali
Zaam Ssali

Continue Reading

Health

MakSPH, MOH and JMS Lead National Efforts to Build a Resilient Health Supply Chain

Published

on

Participants in the stakeholder consultative workshop convened by MakSPH to guide the research component of the initiative on Monday, 10 November, at Kabira Country Club. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Kampala, 11 November 2025 —Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) have launched a project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain. Backed by the Gates Foundation, it aims to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience.

The intervention began on Thursday, 6 November, with the flag-off of emergency distribution of medicines and health supplies at JMS in Nsambya. Under a sub-award from MakSPH, JMS is leading warehousing, distribution, redistribution of essential commodities, reverse logistics, and technical support to health facilities, including digital training for over 1,100 facilities in the Integrated Online Ordering System. The operation aims to deliver USAID-supplied medicines that had remained in storage since donor support was suspended earlier this year, preventing expiry and restoring last-mile delivery across the country.

Building on this, MakSPH convened a stakeholder consultative workshop on Monday, 10 November, at Kabira Country Club to guide the research component of the initiative. Officials from the Ministry of Health, development partners, and health logistics experts reviewed the scope of a new study on strategic analytics to strengthen a sustainable and resilient health supply chain. The consultation focused on refining research questions to ensure alignment with national priorities and stakeholder needs.

Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management (HPPM), stressed the need for practical, evidence-based collaboration.

“Our commitment is to make sure that whatever evidence we generate is useful. We want perspectives on governance, implementation, and the frontline, because when the supply chain isn’t functioning, a lot goes wrong,” said Prof. Kiwanuka.

Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management (HPPM), speaking at the inaugural consultative meeting with stakeholders at Kabira Country Club on Monday, November 10, 2025. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management (HPPM), speaking at the inaugural consultative meeting with stakeholders at Kabira Country Club on Monday, November 10, 2025.

The Ministry of Health has welcomed ongoing support from partners to stabilise the supply chain.

“I want to draw attention back to our 10-year health supply chain roadmap. Despite disruptions, we made important milestones in the first five years, and with support from Makerere University School of Public Health and the Gates Foundation, we are now focused on understanding challenges and building a resilient, sustainable supply chain,” said Dr. Ajulong Martha Grace, Assistant Commissioner, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and Logistics.

Dr. Ajulong Martha Grace, Assistant Commissioner, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and Logistics submitting during the meeting. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Ajulong Martha Grace, Assistant Commissioner, Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and Logistics submitting during the meeting.

Over the past decade, Uganda’s health supply chain has made steady progress under the 10-Year Roadmap for Health Supply Chain Self-Reliance (2021/22–2031/32), which sets out a vision for a self-reliant, efficient, and transparent system that ensures uninterrupted access to essential medicines. Efforts have focused on increasing financing, digitising logistics, strengthening local manufacturing, and expanding infrastructure.

Despite these gains, the system remains vulnerable. Limited financing, capacity gaps at subnational levels, and poor commodity reporting have contributed to stockouts and wastage. Heavy reliance on donor support, compounded with back-to-back shocks, has left Uganda’s health system exposed to shocks, such as the recent suspension of USAID support, which disrupted last-mile delivery to over 530 private not-for-profit health facilities.

Official flag off, Dr. Bildard Baguma, Executive Director of Joint Medical Store, Ms. Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at Ministry of Health and Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health and Principal Investigator of the Project at JMS offices in Nsambya last week. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Official flag off, Dr. Bildard Baguma, Executive Director of Joint Medical Store, Ms. Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at Ministry of Health and Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health and Principal Investigator of the Project at JMS offices in Nsambya last week.

Commodities worth more than UGX 79 billion have remained in storage, risking expiry and could potentially reverse service delivery gains. The Gates Foundation’s support comes at a critical moment to stabilise last-mile distribution while generating analytics to address deeper structural challenges.

“Before these financial disruptions, our public sector supply chain was already under intense pressure to meet rising last-mile demands. The current challenges are a critical opportunity to address long-standing bottlenecks, improve delivery of essential medicines, strengthen real-time monitoring, and build a more sustainable health system in Uganda,” said Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist.

Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist speaking at the consultative meeting. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist speaking at the consultative meeting.

MakSPH, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, will carry out Strategic Systems Analytics to strengthen Uganda’s supply chain. The research will examine financing gaps, fiscal space, operational inefficiencies, and performance at the subnational and last-mile levels.  This co-created evidence generation will also identify opportunities for sustainable financing and efficiency gains to reduce reliance on external aid and to guide reforms that ensure that essential medicines and products remain accessible to all Ugandans.

L-R: The project team, Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist, Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at the Ministry, and Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka share notes shortly after the consultative meeting at Kabira Country Club, Kampala. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) launched of project to boost Uganda’s health supply chain backed by the Gates Foundation to improve emergency deliveries and use data to ensure lasting resilience, flag off-6th November 2025, stakeholder consultative workshop-10th November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
L-R: The project team, Timothy Musila, a Health Policy, Planning and Financing Specialist, Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at the Ministry, and Dr. Suzanne Kiwanuka share notes shortly after the consultative meeting at Kabira Country Club, Kampala.

This work is spearheaded by Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, as the Principal Investigator, and Associate Professor Suzanne Kiwanuka, the Co-Principal Investigator/Research Technical Lead on the Makerere University side. Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, is the focal person on a five-member steering committee overseeing the implementation. The team includes Pamela Achii, Procurement and Supply Chain Management Specialist at the Ministry, and Mr. Timothy Musila.

View on MakSPH

Davidson Ndyabahika

Continue Reading

Health

JASH2025 wraps with the 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture and Kampala Declaration Statement

Published

on

Panelists moderated by ED IDI-Dr. Andrew Kambugu (Left) reflect on Dr. Lukwiya's legacy during the 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture on 7th November 2025. Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture, Kampala Declaration Statement and Closing Ceremony 5th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health Conference (JASH) and Inaugural National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Conference (NACNDC) held at Speke Resort Munyonyo ended on Friday 7th November, 2025 with the 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture and a Kampala Declaration Statement.

The joint conference that began on 3rd November, 2025 themed, ‘Unified Action Against Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases’ was organised by Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and Ministry of Health (MoH). The meeting brought together representatives from Central Government, Ministry of Health, academia, civil society, local governments, private sector, development partners, professional associations, local governments and communities.

Kampala Declaration Statement

Dr. David Musoke, Assoc. Professor at MakSPH who was Co-Chair of the Organising Committee delivered the Kampala Declaration which defined the priorities/commitments of the delegates from the dialogue at the conference.

The declaration highlighted the background of setting the priorities as thus: 1. Uganda’s dual disease burden from communicable diseases (CDs) alongside the growing rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 2. The biological, social and clinical intersections between CDs and NCDs, which compete for limited resources. 3. Threats posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate-sensitive diseases, zoonotic spillovers, and emergency outbreaks such as Ebola, COVID-19, and Marburg. 4. Uganda’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the International Health Regulations (IHR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). 5. The integration of health services at facility level continues to face challenges due to high patient-to-health worker ratios and inadequate infrastructure, which impede the delivery of comprehensive, timely, and quality healthcare services;

Emphasizing the need to involve all stakeholders—including from education, agriculture, environment, engineering, urban planning, gender, as well as community and religious leaders, and others—in the fight against communicable and non-communicable diseases; 6. The persistent challenges in access to healthcare across the country due to delays in diagnosis and treatment-seeking, and emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen early detection, ensure timely access to quality healthcare, and enhance community awareness about prompt medical attention; 7. Protection and promotion of human rights are fundamental to ensuring health, dignity, and well-being for all citizens, as these rights form the  foundation of equitable access to quality healthcare services; 8. The global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), now causing an estimated 700,000 deaths annually, and recognizing its strong link to self-medication, poor diagnostic capacity, and weak public health interventions; 9. Health policies and investments have focused more on curative than preventive care, underscoring the need to reinstate a strong prevention-oriented approach; 10. Many Ugandans remain inadequately informed about health issues affecting them and their role in promoting health within their communities; 11. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and lifestyle changes are significantly contributing to the rising burden of NCDs;

The Kampala Declaration was presented as a shared call to action, a platform for sustained collaboration, and a blueprint for strengthening integrated and equitable health systems. The declaration is premised on the following priorities:

  • Multisectoral Collaboration and One Health Approach: Affirmation of the requirement for involvement of the whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to accelerate disease prevention, health promotion, and self-care through evidence-based awareness.
  • Integrated, People-Centered Disease Prevention and Care: The urgent need to focus on people, not diseases, using a life-course approach and strengthening integrated service delivery across CDs and NCDs at all levels.
  • Strengthened Data, Research, and Policy Translation: Recognition of the importance of timely, interoperable, and disaggregated data to inform policy, financing, and implementation decisions. In addition, commit to collaboration between academic institutions, policymakers, CSOs, and community influencers to bridge the gap between research and practice.
  • Financing: Commit to advocate for increased domestic financing to progressively reduce dependence on external aid, ensuring predictable and sustainable resources for integrated disease prevention and care. Promote efficiency and accountability in health spending by strengthening budget tracking, performance-based financing, and public financial management systems. Support innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, social health insurance, and community-based financing schemes to expand coverage and affordability.

Specific calls were directed to the various stakeholders respective to their mandates and roles.

Government of Uganda and the Ministry of Health: To accelerate implementation of integrated strategic plans for CDs, NCDs, and epidemic preparedness under a unified health systems approach; Institutionalize NACNDC–JASH as the official Annual Integrated National Health platform for disease dialogue and innovation, co-led by the Ministry of Health and academia; Mobilize domestic and international financing to strengthen primary healthcare, laboratory networks, and community systems; Enforce laws and policies aimed at preventing and controlling substance abuse nationwide.

Academia: Generate policy-relevant evidence and drive innovation in diagnostics, surveillance, and culturally appropriate care; Establish multidisciplinary working groups to connect research, clinical practice, and policy; Train health professionals in integrated, competency-based, and future-ready approaches; Create innovation hubs and partnerships linking academia, communities, and industry to co-develop scalable, people-centred solutions; Leverage technology and innovation to effectively address CDs and NCDs; and Prioritize locally led research focused on Uganda’s health realities, including NCDs, CDs, mental health, and climate-linked risks.

Development Partners and Donors: Align technical and financial support with Uganda’s integrated disease control priorities; Support the development of a national research agenda driven by local health needs; Strengthen health system resilience, digital transformation, and community-led interventions; and promote regional knowledge sharing, South-South collaboration, and local manufacturing of diagnostics and medicines.

 Private Sector and Civil Society: Engage in public-private partnerships to expand access to diagnostics, care, and innovation; Champion community-responsive models for disease prevention; rehabilitation, and continuity of care; Strengthen advocacy, accountability, and public education through multimedia and grassroots platforms; Raise public awareness on mental health, sickle cell disease, asthma, and diabetes, integrating these services into primary care and reducing stigma and discrimination.

In view of the background, priorities and expected action from the stakeholders as highlighted above, the declaration also endorsed the development and dissemination of: a National Integrated Disease Control Strategy, informed by best practices and policy dialogues from this conference; a Multisectoral Action Framework guiding collaboration among health, education, agriculture, environment, and finance sectors; A Monitoring Mechanism to track implementation and institutionalize annual

reporting on disease integration; and the continuation of joint annual NACNDC and JASH conferences to sustain momentum.

Setting the Pace

Through the conference, keynote speakers delivered addresses which set pace for the dialogue by participants at the conference.

Dr. Queen Dube, Lead – Newborn Programme Implementation, Policies and Standards at the World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva and Co-Chair of Every Woman, Every Newborn (EWENE) Country Implementation Group highlighted the reasons for rising disease burden of NCDs across sub-Saharan Africa including industrialization and urbanization; shifting dietary patterns; improved means of transport and communication which converts to less movement.

Dr. Dube noted that, the poorer one is, the higher the risk of one dying due to an illness either through communicable or non-communicable diseases. She stressed the importance for a unified action against diseases as opposed to fragmentations or silos by different working groups of various diseases. Duplication of efforts spreads thin the available resources, yet more efficiency and effectiveness could be enjoyed, she added.

Her call for action was, ‘health is interconnected, our response must be to; collaboration saves lives; and together, we can build a healthier, more resilent world’.

Prof. Francis Omaswa delivers the keynote address. Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture, Kampala Declaration Statement and Closing Ceremony 5th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Francis Omaswa delivers the keynote address.

Delivering his keynote speech on the final day of the conference, Prof. Francis Omaswa, Founder and Director – African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST) reminded the delegates that, ‘it is up-to us to achieve our goals provided we commit to do what is expected of us in the best possible way’.

He questioned why Africa continues to lag behind in the global health indices considering the professionals present on the continent. ‘Inclusiveness, equity and working together is the way forward’, he advised.

Prof. Omaswa reminded the delegates that Uganda in particular achieved in areas like HIV/AIDS control, therefore the means we used then must be employed in fighting communicable and non-communicable diseases. He heighted that, some of the means included leadership at all levels, working together, for monitoring and reporting, engagement of youth through the means they respond to among others.

Prof. Francis Omaswa (2nd Right) with panelists that discussed his keynote address. Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture, Kampala Declaration Statement and Closing Ceremony 5th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Francis Omaswa (2nd Right) with panelists that discussed his keynote address.

‘Let no one go to sleep, each one of us is a leader at our levels of responsibility and we must make sure that there is coordination and supportive supervision within the health system’, Prof. Omaswa reiterated.

In his keynote speech, Dr. David Serwadda, a Professor in the Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health at MakSPH reminded researchers and academia the importance of their work to disease prevention and control. He stressed that the link between research and implementation is critical for a unified action, and there bridging the gap must be intentional.

Prof. David Serwadda delivers his keynote address on "Health Systems Resilience Amidst Global Funding Cuts: What African Countries Must Do". Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 6th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. David Serwadda delivers his keynote address on “Health Systems Resilience Amidst Global Funding Cuts: What African Countries Must Do”.

23rd Dr. Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture

Dr. Matthew Lukwiya is remembered for his leadership and selflessness as a Ugandan physician at the forefront during the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Uganda in 2000 until de succumbed to the disease. He was the supervisor at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, outside Gulu City, Uganda; Gulu district was an epicentre of the disease at the time.

As has been the case at the previous JASH conferences, the 23rd edition of the Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture was held on the final day of the conference, themed, “Identified Critical Gaps in the Response to Outbreaks”.

The session convened leading scientists, policymakers, community and health professionals to reflect on lessons learnt from past epidemics and chart strategies for stronger preparedness, response and resilience across the health system.

The Way forward

At the end of the meeting, delegates were advised that information from the meeting will be shared through a link on the MakSPH website and abstracts will be published as well.

Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean-MakSPH who also represented Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal-MakCHS thanked all participants for attending the dual conference and willingness to share information in support of integrating to improve Uganda’ Health System. She also thanked the organising committee and partners for the support leading to a successful conference.

‘What is it that touched you at this conference, what are the takeaways and I implore you to reflect on the discussions and create a change. This is not business as usual and let us make change.’, the Dean said.

Prof. Wanyenze handed the baton to the School of Medicine who will work with the MoH in organising the conference in 2026.

Closing by the Permanent Secretary

PS-MoH, Dr. Diana Atwine. Ministry of Health (MoH), Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Makerere University College of Health Science (MakCHS) and other partners jointly hosting the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025, 23rd Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Lecture, Kampala Declaration Statement and Closing Ceremony 5th November 2025, Victoria Hall, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
PS-MoH, Dr. Diana Atwine.

The conference was officially closed by Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary-MoH. She highlighted five points for all of us to remember as takeaway from the dialogue.

  • All of us should innovate solutions for the challenges before us including innovative leadership. Uganda’s population growth remains high and the resources are not growing at same rate therefore challenges will continue to arise therefore innovation is necessary.
  • Inculcate a culture and mindset change and remember health change begins with each of us.
  • Integrate not verticalization because it is the right thing to do, leads to efficiency and gives results.
  • As government continues to explore means of resource mobilisation, smart investments in high impact activities and priorities are critical.
  • Call upon all of us, to implement the resolutions reached.

She thanked all stakeholders for the contributions made towards success of the conference.

Zaam Ssali
Zaam Ssali

Continue Reading

Trending