Health
Parenting Course ends with call for those trained to share knowledge and be good ambassadors
On 24th October 2025, the 3rd cohort (65 professionals) of the ‘Science of Designing Adaptation and Implementation of Evidence–Based Parenting Interventions’ graduated at a ceremony held at Africana Hotel, Kampala, Uganda. The professionals were advised to be good ambassadors and share the knowledge from the training.
The training is a collaboration between Child Health Development Centre (CHDC) at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) and Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) through their Parenting Agenda Initiative.
The graduation brings the total of those trained to 130 since cohort 1, and marks a significant milestone in the journey of standardising parenting interventions in Uganda and testament of the nation’s commitment to strengthening families and communities.
In his remarks at the graduation, Dr. Godfrey Siu – Senior Lecturer at CHDC, Programme and Course Lead congratulated the participants for successfully completing the intensive parenting course. He said, ‘I am filled with an immense sense of pride and hope, not just for what we have accomplished during the training but the ripple effect this will have across Uganda’.
Dr. Siu highlighted that the course was not conceived in isolation, but is a vital pillar in the ambitious and crucial efforts by the Government of Uganda (GoU) through MoGLSD with an aim to strengthen and standardise parenting interventions in the country.
‘We extend our appreciation to GoU and MoGLSD in particular for the unwavering commitment and steadfast support. The vision for stronger families is a collective one, and leadership by government is its cornerstone. Let us go and build a future where every child in Uganda can thrive in a nurturing, supportive, and loving family’, Dr. Siu said.
Dr. Siu thanked the various partners who supported the training including the ELMA Foundation, Global Parenting Initiative and Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC); facilitators of the programme, drawn from a diverse spectrum of expertise. He advised the graduands to be champions, as standard-bearers for a new-era of parenting in Uganda.
He also called for support from development partners, donors and GoU in funding the next phase of the critical work noting that investment in parenting is an investment in the health, stability, and prosperity of the nation.
Dr. Herbert Muyinda, Director-CHDC noted the multi-dimensional benefits of the course including standardisation. He said, ‘all researchers dream about their work making impact and influence policy which Dr. Siu has achieved with this training programme’.
The Director-CHDC thanked all partners, MakCHS and CHDC administration for ensuring the success of the training. He commended the participants for the commitment and resilience during the training and expressed hope that they will use the knowledge when they return to their communities and organisations.
Professor Richard Idro, Deputy Principal-MakCHS represented the College administration at the graduation. In his speech he congratulated the participants on the milestone, thanked MoGLSD for entrusting the University with this work and also thanked CHDC for undertaking the programme not only for research but also as a contribution to the nation.
Professor Idro noted that parenting today is so different from what many of us experienced, highlighting that many parents work away from home also spending less time with their children.
He said, ‘teachers and carers spend more time with children therefore standardisation from initiatives like this are welcome’.
Highlighting the new strategy of taking the University to communities and solving societal challenges, Professor Idro commended the CHDC for the work which is well aligned to the aforementioned strategy. He called on the graduands to cascade the initiative learned to the lowest level of local governments for the benefit of the whole population.
He expressed hope that for sustainability, funding of the programme would be included in the government budget cycle to ensure continuity. He thanked the UMSC for the support recognising time that Sheikh Ali Waiswa had spent at the event as a sign of commitment to improved parenting in Uganda.
‘Our children are vulnerable, I hope this training takes us back to the basics of parenting. I encourage everyone to start with their family and share with all those around them’, said Dr. Angela Nakafeero – Commissioner for Women and Gender Affairs who represented the Permanent Secretary-MoGLSD, Mr. Aggrey Kibenge.
She thanked partners, MoGLSD departments, and various government institutions that have contributed to work accomplished to-date. She reiterated the message of the previous speakers to the graduands not to keep what they had learned to themselves but share with others. ‘Don’t keep information acquired, share it, make better parents and raise better families’, she said.
‘The ministry remains committed to the parenting agenda. As a nation we have always stressed the importance of cultural and religious appropriateness; the University is on-board to offer technical knowledge and this partnership will continue to deliver results’, Dr. Nakafeero added.
She invited the Chief Guest, Sheikh Ali Waiswa – Deputy Mufti, UMSC who represented the Mufti to address the congregation.
Sheikh Waiswa reminded those present that holy books including the Quran and Bible prescribed the family as the cornerstone of society giving guidance on how to raise good families.
He warned against the increased violence against children present in our communities. Quoting statistics, he expressed disappointment that children endure acts of violence in places meant to be safe havens like homes and schools with acts committed by people meant to be trusted. ‘Nearly 6 out of 10 girls and 7 out of 10 boys have experienced physical violence, while 35% of girls are affected by sexual violence’, he said.
The Deputy Mufti commended the training course for bridging the gap between research and practice, saying it would revolutionise parenting, strengthen families and in-turn society. ‘Don’t underestimate the power of the work you are doing, as we celebrate, let us remember our blue print is this initiative and training’, he said.
A Voice for Excellence, Equity and African Sovereignty
When Dr. Michael Makanga walked onto the stage at the 8th Galien Forum Africa in Dakar on 31 October 2025 to receive the Special Career Achievement Galien Prize, presented by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye under the theme Health sovereignty: an imperative for Africa, the moment carried weight beyond any medal or citation. “It is a celebration of a lifelong commitment,” he said, “but also a reminder of a responsibility I have never been willing to compromise: to inspire others to raise their voices for excellence, science, and equity.”
For more than two decades, Dr. Makanga has been a quiet architect of Africa’s health sovereignty. His work has unfolded far from cameras: in laboratories constrained by resources, in policy rooms where African priorities demanded a stronger voice, and in mentoring sessions with young scientists seeking reassurance that their ideas mattered.
Born and trained in Uganda, Dr. Makanga earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Makerere University before pursuing a master’s degree and PhD at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. His career spans nearly 30 years, encompassing tropical medicine, clinical trials in Africa and Europe, and senior international management roles. Since joining EDCTP in 2004, he has guided its growth as a unique Africa–Europe partnership, strengthening African capacity for high-quality, ethical clinical research while accelerating solutions for poverty-related diseases. Today, he leads the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.
President Faye captured the essence of Dr. Makanga’s achievement: “Scientific excellence is not negotiable; it is earned. It underpins our credibility and our sovereignty.” For Dr. Makanga, the statement is a call to action. “I hope this recognition reminds us that Africa’s scientists and innovators can lead global health research with excellence and purpose. We owe it to the next generation to build the systems and confidence that make this possible,” he said.
Dr. Makanga’s peers describe him as a “builder”: someone who strengthens research systems, mentors emerging scientists, and fosters equitable partnerships long before “local ownership” became a policy buzzword. In his own words, the award honors his “career’s contribution to advancing Africa’s health sovereignty” while reinforcing his commitment to ensure younger scientists do not have to fight for legitimacy as previous generations did.
The 2025 Prix Galien Africa celebrated Dr. Makanga alongside innovators reshaping African science. La Ruche Health, a Côte d’Ivoire-based digital health platform, won for connecting users to certified providers through an AI-powered system. Senegalese computer scientist Adji Bousso Dieng received a special prize for applying artificial intelligence to the natural sciences, including spotting emerging viral variants using her “Vendi Score” tool. The awards were organised with the support of the Presidency of Senegal, the Gates Foundation, the West African Health Organization, and the Rockefeller Foundation, with a jury co-chaired by Dr. John Nkengasong and Professor Souleymane Mboup.
Yet the award’s true weight lies not in ceremony, but in its symbolism. Dr. Makanga’s career exemplifies how African scientists can lead, shape policy, and influence global health priorities when empowered and supported.
Makerere University colleagues attest to this impact. Dr. Victoria Nankabirwa, a clinical researcher and epidemiologist, reflects: “EDCTP support allowed me to build multidisciplinary teams, enhance laboratory and trial infrastructure, and generate evidence relevant for policy and practice. It strengthened my scientific independence and expanded the long-term sustainability of my research, particularly on childhood vaccines.”
She adds, “Dr. Makanga’s vision and commitment have strengthened institutions, built capacity, and fostered equitable partnerships, enabling African investigators to lead complex studies that address the continent’s priorities. His recognition shows what is possible when scientists are empowered, trusted, and supported.”
Dr. Alex Kayongo, an immunologist at Makerere University, describes EDCTP support as “catalytic,” enabling advanced training and a platform to study microbiome–immune interactions in HIV-associated COPD. His work is shaping mechanistic insights and strengthening Uganda’s capacity for complex respiratory immunology research. “Global health funding is increasingly competitive, making EDCTP’s role even more vital,” he says. “Africa needs sustainable support for complex, lab-intensive research. Continued investment in infrastructure, leadership, and fair partnerships is essential if African institutions are to drive innovation and secure true scientific sovereignty.”
Dr. David Musoke, an associate professor of disease control, credits his EDCTP fellowship with deepening his malaria research and advancing his career. His studies combined housing improvements, environmental management, and behavioural measures to complement traditional malaria prevention, shaping practical, community-informed interventions. “Dr. Makanga’s contribution to African science has been tremendous, and his continued stewardship gives us confidence that evidence generated on the continent will increasingly shape policy and practice,” he observes.
Dr. Makanga’s impact is visible not only in individual careers but across institutions and nations. Through EDCTP, he has championed African-led trials, strengthened laboratory capacity, and fostered cross-country collaboration. Colleagues emphasize that his leadership has created a generation of African scientists who are confident, collaborative, and globally competitive.
“My experience with EDCTP-funded programmes has shown the transformative impact of African-led research,” Dr. Nankabirwa reflects. “Dr. Makanga’s vision and commitment have strengthened institutions, built capacity, and fostered equitable partnerships, enabling African investigators to lead complex studies that address the continent’s priorities. His recognition shows what is possible when scientists are empowered, trusted, and supported, inspiring the next generation of research leaders.”
Dr. Makanga’s recognition is a tribute to perseverance, vision, and mentorship: a scientist who kept going when resources were scarce, a leader who refused partnerships that treated Africans as subjects, and a mentor who reminded young researchers that they belong at the centre of global science.
As he stood among Africa’s leading innovators in Dakar, the message was unmistakable: Africa can lead, Africa must lead, and it will lead, through science, excellence, and equity.
Makerere University is proud to celebrate Dr. Michael Makanga, one of its distinguished alumni, on receiving the Special Career Achievement Prize of the Prix Galien Africa 2025. This honor recognises his exceptional leadership in medical research and his role in advancing African-led science. Through his work, Dr. Makanga continues to strengthen institutions, mentor emerging researchers, and amplify Africa’s voice on the global health stage.
Kalangala, an idyllic archipelago often romanticised for its sunsets, today witnessed a historic leap in healthcare. Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, launched the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Kalangala Clinical Research Centre—the island’s first modern research facility.
“This is more than a building; it’s a lifeline,” said Prof. Nawangwe. “IDI is not only Uganda’s leading health partner, managing over 20% of HIV cases, but research is first on its agenda. If people are not healthy, they can’t work—it’s useless to invest in anything else.”
Kalangala ranks third in HIV prevalence nationwide at 13.1%, with fishing communities hardest hit. Until now, residents endured perilous boat rides to the mainland for advanced care. “Accessing healthcare has always meant a journey across waves—long, costly, and sometimes dangerous,” said District Chairperson Jajab Ssemakula. “You have not only invested in Kalangala; you have brought Makerere University to Kalangala.”
Supported by the Gates Foundation, the centre is part of a multinational HIV prevention study conducted across 31 sites in Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda. Its first mission: testing whether a monthly pill can protect adolescent girls and young women from HIV—a breakthrough that could transform vulnerable communities.
“This centre means access without barriers,” said Dr. Andrew Kambugu, IDI Executive Director. “Kalangala residents no longer need to travel long distances for clinical trials or advanced care.”
Prof. Samuel Luboga, IDI Board Chairperson, reassured residents of IDI’s long-term commitment:
“We are not a fleeting partner. This sentinel research centre aligns with our vision of freeing Africa from the burden of infectious diseases. The assurance I give Kalangala is—we are here to stay.”
Henry Ssebunya, Deputy Resident District Commissioner, praised IDI’s innovation and consistency:
“IDI has treated and cared for people living with HIV, deployed medical drones to deliver life-saving medicines, and now built a research centre. This is a new chapter for Kalangala.”
From a sleeping sickness camp in 1906 to a cutting-edge research hub in 2025, Kalangala’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and hope.
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