Health
Ekyaalo Diagnostics; Johns Hopkins University Partners with Makerere and MUST to Advance AI Innovation for Breast Cancer Diagnosis
By Joseph Odoi
Globally, Breast cancer remains a serious health challenge, with the World Health Organization (2022) reporting over 2.3 million new cases annually and nearly 670,000 deaths. In Uganda, breast cancer is one of the leading cancers among women, yet the majority of patients are diagnosed at late stages due to delays in accessing diagnostic services, most of which are centralized at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala. Since 72% of Uganda’s population lives in rural areas, women often face late diagnosis due to long travel distances. Even after accessing care, results can take 1–6 months due to the slow process of transporting samples to central laboratories. This delay directly impacts the timely start of treatment.
To address this gap, Johns Hopkins University in collaboration with Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), is spearheading innovative solutions that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and low-cost technologies to improve early diagnosis and treatment.
As part of this collaboration, the Centre for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Research at Makerere University School of Public Health led by Associate Professor Peter Waiswa in July hosted a team of graduate biomedical engineers from the Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID) at John Hopkins University.
The team is developing a low-cost, AI-powered technology called Ekyaalo Diagnostics, aimed at reducing the turnaround time for breast cancer diagnosis, especially in hard-to-reach areas. As part of their work, they undertook a learning tour at the Ministry of Health, Uganda Cancer Institute, and regional cancer referral centres. The purpose was to map stakeholders in the breast cancer space, gather Ekyaalo diagnostic technology usability feedback, and understand the local innovation ecosystem in breast cancer care.
Ekyaalo Diagnostics and Bringing Pathology Closer to Communities
The flagship innovation, Ekyaalo Diagnostics, is a portable AI-powered whole-slide scanner (WSS) designed to digitize cytology samples at Health Centre IVs and General Hospitals. These digitized images are securely transmitted to pathologists at higher-level facilities for timely review, eliminating the need for physically transporting samples to Kampala.
This technology has the potential to reduce diagnosis delays from several months to just a few days, thereby improving survival outcomes for breast cancer patients.
Building Local Solutions to Global Challenges
In addition to Ekyaalo Diagnostics, Makerere researchers at the Department of Biomedical Engineering are also advancing other innovations such as development of artificial breast prototypes to be used in educating women on breast cancer symptoms while Research at Mbarara University led by Dr. William Waswa, are developing PapsAI, a low-cost automated tool that support whole slide scanning of slides for cervical cancer screening.
These initiatives are aligned with the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) of the Ministry of Health, which emphasizes prevention, early detection, timely diagnosis.
Design Challenges and Considerations
Despite the progress being made, challenges persist, according to the team’s findings from the tour,these technologies hold great promise however their success in Uganda will depend on addressing some critical barriers.
One of the biggest challenges is limited staffing. Many lower-level health facilities lack trained laboratory personnel to prepare slides. For this reason, new technologies must be designed to be simple, user-friendly, and capable of being adopted after short training sessions.
Another major barrier is equipment maintenance. Past medical innovations in Uganda have often struggled with frequent breakdowns and software failures. The team emphasized that new diagnostic tools must be affordable, durable, and resistant to common system crashes if they are to serve rural health facilities effectively.
Finally, high operational costs continue to undermine sustainability. Some innovations fail because their maintenance costs are too high or because they are incompatible with existing health systems. Ensuring cost-effectiveness and system integration will therefore be vital for the long-term success of breast cancer diagnostic technologies in Uganda.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
The project is led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID) in collaboration with Makerere’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and MUST researchers. Field learning tours have already been conducted at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Jinja, Mbarara, and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospitals, with input from clinicians, technologists, and innovators in Uganda’s health ecosystem.
The Johns Hopkins team has conducted usability interviews with clinicians, laboratory technologists, and surgeons at multiple hospitals including Mulago, Jinja, Mbarara, and Fort Portal. They have also engaged with Uganda’s innovation ecosystem, including makerspaces and industry partners. It has been noted that the Ministry of Health together with Partners working on treatment of cancer has drafted the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) that is aimed at reducing incidence, morbidity and mortality through prevention and early treatment and palliative care. The Plan will give guide on health education, early detection, and diagnosis among others Special thanks go to the Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CIBID) Johns Hopkins University for funding this field learning tour, Centre for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research at School of Public health (Makerere University) for hosting the team, Departments of Bioengineering at Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mulago pathology department and the Uganda cancer institute, Regional Referral hospitals of Jinja, Mbarara and Fort Portal among other General hospitals and Health center IVs visited for technical input.
Agriculture & Environment
Makerere Hosts Inaugural Falling Walls Lab Competition as Innovators Pitch Solutions to National Challenges
Students and researchers from Makerere University and other institutions pitched 12 innovations addressing challenges in healthcare, clean energy, agriculture, waste management and community resilience during the inaugural Falling Walls Lab Kampala, held at the School of Public Health Auditorium, Makerere University.
The competition brought together emerging innovators to present solutions to practical challenges through a three minute pitch, followed by questions from a panel of judges.
Modelled on the Falling Walls format that originated in Berlin, the event required each participant to identify a “wall” a problem or barrier, and demonstrate how their innovation seeks to break it down.
Mudhasi wins with newborn jaundice screening device
Andrew Mudhasi of Makerere University emerged as the overall winner with a score of 90 per cent for a low cost medical device designed to improve newborn jaundice screening across different skin tones.
Mudhasi explained that the device uses optical sensor technology and a skin tone targeting algorithm to provide a rapid reading, with the aim of helping nurses and clinicians identify jaundice more efficiently.
During questions from the jury, Mudhasi said the device had not yet been tested on actual babies but had undergone laboratory testing using simulated skin tones.
He reported an accuracy rate of 94 per cent when the device was compared with laboratory spectrophotometers.
The innovation is intended initially for use in clinics and hospitals, with Mudhasi saying the team is also considering a version that could eventually allow mothers to screen babies at home.
Mudhasi’s innovation has previously received recognition at the African Business Concept Challenge and the iF Design Student Award, according to his presentation.
Rhonda’s innovation tackles diaper waste
Rhoda John of the University of Nairobi emerged in second place with 89.6 per cent for an innovation addressing the problem of used diaper waste.
Under the theme “Breaking the wall of diaper waste and drug soils,” Rhonda explained that her team extracts sodium polyacrylate, the absorbent polymer found in diapers, and replaces the sodium with potassium.
The resulting potassium based superabsorbent material is designed to act as a “water battery” in soil by absorbing and retaining water for plants during dry periods.
John said testing showed a 99 per cent increase in germination and a 23 per cent increase in drought resistance.
The innovation also seeks to reduce the amount of used diapers ending up in landfills and the environmental effects associated with their decomposition.
During the question and answer session, John explained that her team was working with government environmental officials in Nairobi on a pilot collection system to address the challenge of gathering used diapers at scale.
Mahera takes third place with herbal peptic ulcer treatment
Stuart Mahera of Makerere University finished third with 86.2 per cent for a herbal formulation targeting peptic ulcers.
Presenting under the theme “Breaking the wall of Nature and Modern Medicine,” Mahera argued that conventional treatment for peptic ulcers can involve multiple medicines and may be associated with side effects and antimicrobial resistance.
His proposed formulation, MARAC capsules, is intended as a monotherapy, combining properties required for peptic-ulcer treatment in a single capsule.
Mahera said his team had carried out quality control work, including characterisation and dose quantification, and had conducted preclinical trials on laboratory mice.
He also told the jury that an application had been submitted to the National Drug Authority as the team awaits the next stage of the regulatory process.
According to Mahera, the proposed seven day treatment would cost about Shs21,000, compared with the existing 14 day treatment approach.
Innovators present solutions to practical challenges
The remaining presentations covered a wide range of challenges.
Esther Nakungu of Utamu University presented Agri-Track, a digital record keeping solution intended to improve visibility, accountability and management of farm operations and financial information.
Dr. Jimmy Chachiga, a Makerere University participant, presented a solar photovoltaic cooker with a heat storage system designed to provide a cleaner and more reliable cooking option during both sunny and non sunny periods.
His presentation focused on reducing dependence on biomass fuels and addressing the challenges associated with intermittent solar energy.
Abdul Noor Luttamaguzi, a PhD student and senior government fisheries officer, presented a mobile application aimed at helping fish farmers and extension officers report, track and manage disease outbreaks.
Henry Duke Tamale presented a herbal cream targeting antibiotic resistant biofilm infections associated with diabetic foot ulcers.
Marvin Seruwu proposed adapting existing near infrared brain monitoring technology to help detect extra-axial brain bleeds in health facilities where access to CT and MRI equipment is limited.
His proposal seeks to repurpose existing technology towards a diagnostic need that could be particularly important in settings where advanced imaging facilities are not readily available.
Kennedy Kisame presented a poultry alert and diagnosis system combining satellite weather information with computer vision disease detection. The proposed system could be accessed through a smartphone application, SMS or USSD, making it potentially usable by farmers with limited internet access.
Frank Atwiine proposed a solar powered mobile diagnostic van designed to bring ultrasound and other diagnostic services closer to rural communities.
Johnson Makmot, a software and blockchain developer, presented a platform that combines GPS tracking and blockchain-based tokens to incentivise and verify plastic-waste collection in Kampala.
Dr. Nelson Ndugu, from a partner university, presented an artificial intelligence tool designed to translate agricultural research publications into local Ugandan languages and generate voice notes for radio-based extension delivery.
The final presentation came from Dr. Juliet Akola, a Ugandan post doctoral researcher at Mangosuthu University of Technology in South Africa.
Akola presented a community digital resilience initiative focused on mapping risks in Kampala’s informal settlements, including flooding, fire, poor sanitation, waste management and inadequate infrastructure.
Her proposal seeks to combine local community knowledge with geographical information systems and link identified risks to action plans involving municipalities and other stakeholders.
Nawangwe calls for more investment in innovation
Closing the event, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated all the participants and described their presentations as an important beginning for Makerere University, Uganda and the wider region.
Drawing on his experience attending the Falling Walls conference in Berlin, the Vice Chancellor said initiatives of this nature are important because innovation will play a major role in determining the future of countries.
He encouraged participants to make their pitches more precise by clearly identifying the problem they are addressing, explaining their proposed solution and demonstrating what they have already achieved.
Prof. Nawangwe also welcomed the participation of innovators from other universities and countries, noting that the Kampala event had attracted participants beyond Makerere.
He thanked the Africa Office of the Falling Walls Foundation for its role in bringing the initiative to Makerere and encouraged continued support for innovation.
The Vice Chancellor further linked innovation to Uganda’s growing youth population and the need to develop home-grown solutions to address challenges such as youth unemployment.
The inaugural Falling Walls Lab Kampala ultimately provided a platform for innovators to move ideas beyond the classroom and laboratory and demonstrate how research, technology and creativity can be applied to challenges affecting communities.
| Position | Winner | Institution | Score |
| 1st | Andrew Mudhasi | Makerere University | 90% |
| 2nd | Rhoda John | University of Nairobi | 89.6% |
| 3rd | Stuart Mahera | Makerere University | 86.2% |
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