Teams from Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet (KI-Mak) marked 25 years of collaboration on Oct. 15, 2025, with a hybrid forum on research equity.
STOCKHOLM — Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet (KI-Mak) marked 25 years of collaboration on Oct. 15, 2025, with a hybrid forum on research equity, highlighting lessons for universities striving toward fair and sustainable global partnerships.
The event, part of the Global Conversations on Sustainable Health, explored the theme, “Exploring Power Dynamics & Equity in Partnerships.” Scholars, policymakers, and university leaders gathered to discuss how institutions can build collaborations grounded in trust, shared ownership, and mutual respect.
Hours before the event, Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Maria Håkansson, posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The partnership between Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet is both dynamic and exemplary in how many years of development cooperation can lay the foundation for mutually beneficial relations between institutions in Sweden and Uganda.”
Front Row (L-R): Prof. Helena Lindgren, Dr. Phyllis Awor, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Sweden’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Maria Håkansson, Prof. Annika Östman Wernerson, president of Karolinska Institutet, and Prof. Peter Waiswa during their visit to Makerere University on Nov. 11, 2024. Photo by Davidson Ndyabahika
Equity, Trust, and Warmth at the Core
Panelists navigated questions of power, agency, and mutual respect. Policymakers, researchers, and academics agreed that successful partnerships depend not only on fairness but also on warmth, the human connection that sustains collaboration and ensures initiatives respond meaningfully to local realities.
Dr. Andreas Göthenberg, executive director of the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), recalled that earlier models often reduced African researchers to “data farmers” in one-directional projects led from the North.
“We now support balanced research collaborations, not capacity building alone,” he said.
Over the past decade, he added, STINT has seen a surge of high-quality proposals from African researchers seeking genuine collaboration.
“When partners bring different expertise and learn from each other, that is when collaborations work well,” he said. “Institutions with fewer resources can now do very advanced things; that’s a real game changer.”
Göthenberg said Africa’s rapid advances in microfinancing, cloud computing, and even space research show that “technology development means institutions with fewer resources can still do very advanced things,” offering lessons for innovation systems in Europe.
Dr. Andreas Göthenberg, executive director of the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), speaking during the Global Conversations on Sustainable Health, in Stockholm. Photo by Kseniya Hartvigsson
Why Equitable Partnerships Matter
Professors Rhoda Wanyenze and Stefan Swartling Peterson have argued that traditional models often concentrate leadership and funding in the Global North, thereby limiting the agency of Southern partners.
Their work from long-term collaborations in Ethiopia, Uganda, Lao PDR, and Vietnam shows that shifting leadership to where research occurs strengthens local capacity and aligns agendas with community needs.
They demonstrate that equity relies on mutual trust, transparency, and shared decision-making, principles that transform funding into a tool for empowerment rather than dependency. Joint PhD programs, reciprocal staff exchanges, and twinned supervision models have further enabled two-way knowledge flow and reduced brain drain.
“Partnerships grounded in reciprocity, inclusion, and respect are not only ethically sound but also more effective,” Wanyenze said. “They build local ownership, lasting capacity, and context-driven innovation.”
Front Row: Prof. Annika Östman Wernerson, president of Karolinska Institutet (L) and Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) with officials during the hybrid forum.
Championing South-to-South Knowledge Exchange
Associate Professor Caroline Wamala-Larsson, director of the SPIDER program at Stockholm University, underscored that the Global South must set its research agendas.
“The agenda must be set by Southern institutions. Swedish institutions act as collaborators, not directors,” she said.
She cited projects in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Bolivia, and Mozambique where South-to-South learning has flourished.
Associate Professor Caroline Wamala-Larsson, director of the SPIDER program at Stockholm University, presents at the Global Panel on Equitable Partnerships. Photo by Kseniya Hartvigsson
“Bolivians traveled to Tanzania to share source codes from a research management system. Now, the University of Dar es Salaam wants to adopt it,” she said. “Solutions developed within the South often fit local contexts better than Northern models.”
Wamala-Larsson added that innovation and digital transformation have strengthened institutional systems. “We need new funders, private sector partners, and universities to participate equally.” Respect for each partner’s contribution is essential for sustainability,” she said.
Adapting to a Changing Global Landscape
Shifting global priorities and limited funding are reshaping how universities collaborate. Ms. Brenda Wagaba, partnerships officer at Makerere University, noted that while funding remains limited, the Government of Uganda, for instance, has taken steps to support local research through the Research and Innovation Fund. “The government started setting aside money for university research even before the recent cuts,” she said.
“Now, with those cuts, the need for sustained domestic investment is even greater.” She added that such initiatives strengthen the confidence of Southern partners to engage as equal contributors in global collaborations.
Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo, a Makerere University researcher, said local initiatives could help sustain momentum. “Local funding opportunities allow countries to find resources for research and partnerships. Such efforts can improve equity through bottom-up collaborations,” he said.
Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo, a Lecturer and Lecturer at Makerere University, receives a souvenir from Prof. Annika Östman Wernerson, president of Karolinska Institutet. Photo by Kseniya Hartvigsson
Göthenberg noted that new opportunities lie in multidisciplinary work. “Many of the challenges we face today demand broadly defined solutions,” he said. “Multidisciplinary projects lead to broader societal impact and stronger partnerships.”
He also pointed to Africa’s demographic advantage: “With its young population and rapid innovation, Africa is driving technological development in ways that can benefit both continents.”
Equitable Partnerships Deliver Results
Wagaba said engaging communities early is key to success. “When we engage communities early, we can bridge the gap between large-scale interventions and local acceptance. Whether it’s water, vaccines, or health infrastructure, success depends on understanding immediate community priorities,” she said.
She cautioned that top-down projects often fail to deliver lasting impact.
“You may build a vaccine plant or develop a vaccine, but if a community’s immediate need is safe water, your intervention will falter,” she said, adding that warmth, respect, and open communication are as critical as technical expertise.
Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted tangible results from Sweden’s long-term support.
Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe presenting during one of the engagements with the KI team to commemorate 25 years of partnership in Stockholm. Photo by Kseniya Hartvigsson
“Under the SIDA program, 500 PhD students were trained, all of whom returned to Uganda,” he said. “The program made them feel at home while gaining knowledge abroad. Without mutual respect, equity will always face challenges.”
Prof. Annika Östman Wernerson, president of Karolinska Institutet, said sustainable partnerships depend on continuous engagement.
“Every collaboration begins with people meeting. Warmth and curiosity are crucial between individuals and institutions,” she said. “Equity is not static; it requires continuous work. Trust and transparency are critical.”
MakSPH Partnership Officer Ms. Brenda Wagaba Mugarura receives a souvenir from Prof. Annika Östman Wernerson, president of Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Kseniya Hartvigsson.
A Global Model for Sustainable Partnerships
The 25-year collaboration between Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet demonstrates how long-term, equitable partnerships can strengthen research systems and inform policy.
As Nawangwe put it:
“Students return home, communities benefit, and research informs global health policy. This is a model of how equity and trust drive sustainable partnerships.”
Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet teams celebrate after Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe and President Annika Östman Wernerson signed the renewed MoU, extending the partnership to 2030. Photo by Kseniya Hartvigsson
The Makerere–Karolinska (KI-Mak) partnership shows how universities, funders, and governments can work together fairly and Like many others working in this field, the Center recognises that there is still much to learn and discuss about how partnerships can continue to evolve through openness, dialogue, and shared reflection.
As Makerere and Karolinska look to 2030, their renewed agreements promise more than ceremonial goodwill. The two universities will intensify exchanges between students and faculty, expand joint research, share academic output, and organise lectures, conferences, and workshops. They will also open new paths for training, scientific collaboration, and shared learning. After 25 years, the partnership has proven that long-term cooperation can endure and excel with mutual respect, steady investment, and a clear purpose.
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.
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