Left to Right: Theresa Kirismagi, University of Vermont, Maximilian Gumpoldsberger, Paul Hintervanmkogler Medi Graz University and Otto a fifth-year medical student at MakCHS.
Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) continues to advance its internationalization agenda by strengthening cross-border partnerships and expanding student and staff mobility in response to global health training needs. Recognizing international collaboration as a cornerstone of contemporary health professional education, the College has established strategic partnerships with leading institutions, including the University of the Western Cape (South Africa), the Medical University of Graz (Austria), and Universitas Syiah Kuala Faculty of Medicine (Indonesia). These collaborations focus on joint research initiatives and the training of dentists and physicians.
Ms. Lydia Kabiri, Department of Nursing giving a lecture to students from Trinity College Dublin.
During the period July–September 2025, MakCHS recorded increased inbound student mobility, hosting 86 short-term international students. The majority (73%) came from eight partner institutions, with Europe accounting for 64% of all inbound students. Norway led with students from the University of Bergen and the University of Agder, followed by Italy and the Netherlands. The College also hosted students from Somalia International University, Moi University (Kenya), and institutions in the United States. Most visiting students were medical trainees, with placements mainly in Paediatrics at Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital, as well as Emergency Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Kawempe National Referral Hospital.
Masaba Swabra (Left ) and Orishaba Patience (Right) during rotation at Cambridge Institute.
These exchanges demonstrated strong bilateral commitment, notably with the Medical University of Graz, which sent students to MakCHS while simultaneously hosting MakCHS students, even in the absence of Erasmus Mundus Plus funding. Inbound mobility enriched the learning environment through intercultural exchange, inclusiveness, and exposure to diverse clinical and academic perspectives.
Victorious Mangheni (Left), Evelyn Nairuba (2nd Left) and residents in the University of Minnesota Medical center -Fairview Hospital.
Outbound mobility also expanded significantly. MakCHS students undertook clinical rotations in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Austria. Two students completed hematology and oncology rotations at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, while others trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical Center–Fairview. Additional students undertook highly specialized rotations in paediatric surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, and cardiac surgery at the Medical University of Graz, gaining exposure to advanced, patient-centred healthcare systems and strengthening their global clinical outlook.
Left to Right: Iris Topolovec PR Bilateral agreements, Asha Nagawa, Muruhuura Matthias and Eva Weixler Rotations coordinator.
Staff outward mobility was equally notable. Several MakCHS staff and graduate students participated in the Annual Global Health Conference organized by NUVANCE Health, an international partner. MakCHS faculty contributed through presentations, posters, and panel discussions, highlighting research on decolonization in global health education, adolescent health, and global mental health. These engagements provided valuable networking opportunities with global health funders and reinforced the importance of transnational academic partnerships in advancing health equity.
Dr. Muyanja Mark (Left), Prof. Rudy Ruggles (Centre) and Dr. Melanie Magoba, 3rd year Psychiatry resident.
Through sustained partnerships, increased mobility, and active global engagement, MakCHS continues to position itself as a key contributor to global health education, research, and practice.
Makerere University School of Public Health invites applications for the 2026 intake of the Certificate in Applied Health Systems Research, a short, intensive virtual programme designed for professionals working at the intersection of research, policy, and health system practice.
Why this course matters
Health system challenges are rarely linear. They are shaped by institutional complexity, political realities, and competing stakeholder interests. In many cases, the issue is not the absence of evidence, but the difficulty of producing research that is relevant, timely, and usable within real decision-making environments. This course is designed to address that gap, equipping participants to generate and apply evidence that responds to actual system constraints.
frame research problems grounded in real system conditions
analyse complex interactions within health systems
design policy-relevant and methodologically sound studies
translate findings into actionable insights for decision-making
Course format and key details
The programme runs virtually from 6th to 17th July 2026 (2:00–5:45 PM EAT) and combines interactive sessions, applied learning, and expert-led discussions across:
Makerere University School of Public Health, through its Centre for the Prevention of Trauma, Injury and Disability, contributed to the Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention 2024, the first comprehensive global assessment of drowning burden, risk factors, and country-level responses.
Published by the World Health Organisation, the report estimates that approximately 300,000 people died from drowning in 2021, with the highest burden in low- and middle-income countries, which account for 92% of deaths. The African Region records the highest mortality rate, underscoring the urgency of targeted interventions. Children and young people remain the most affected, with drowning ranking among the leading causes of death for those under 15 years.
While global drowning rates have declined by 38% since 2000, progress remains uneven and insufficient to meet broader development targets. The report highlights critical gaps in national responses, including limited multisectoral coordination, weak policy and legislative frameworks, and inadequate integration of key preventive measures such as swimming and water safety education.
It further identifies persistent data limitations, with many countries lacking detailed information on where and how drowning occurs, constraining the design of targeted interventions. At the same time, the report notes progress in selected areas, including early warning systems and community-based disaster risk management.
MakSPH’s contribution to this global evidence base reflects its role in advancing research, strengthening data systems, and supporting context-specific approaches to injury prevention. Through its Centre, the School continues to inform policy and practice, contributing to efforts to reduce drowning risks and improve population health outcomes in Uganda and similar settings.
Makerere University School of Public Health, through its Center for the Prevention of Trauma, Injury and Disability, contributed to the Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention (2025–2035): Turning the Tide on a Leading Killer, a landmark framework guiding coordinated global action to reduce drowning.
Developed through the Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention, a multi-agency platform hosted by the World Health Organization, the strategy identifies drowning as a leading yet preventable cause of death, responsible for over 300,000 deaths annually. The burden falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries, particularly among children and young people.
The strategy sets a global target of reducing drowning deaths by 35% by 2035 and outlines six strategic pillars, including governance, multisectoral coordination, data systems, advocacy, financing, and research. It also prioritises ten evidence-based interventions such as strengthening supervision, improving water safety and swimming skills, enhancing rescue capacity, and enforcing safety regulations.
MakSPH’s inclusion in the Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention reflects its contribution to advancing research, policy engagement, and capacity strengthening in injury prevention. Through its Centre, the School supports the generation and application of context-specific evidence, positioning itself as a key contributor to global efforts to reduce drowning and strengthen community resilience.