Health
Makerere University and Tsinghua University Launch Landmark China–Uganda Joint Laboratory on Natural Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning
Makerere University has taken a decisive step in strengthening Uganda’s and Africa’s capacity for public safety, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience with the official launch of the China–Uganda Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Natural Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning, a flagship collaboration with Tsinghua University of China.
Launched during the Makerere University–Tsinghua University Symposium on Public Safety and Natural Disaster Management, the Joint Laboratory positions Makerere as a continental hub for cutting-edge research, innovation, and policy-relevant solutions in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and emergency response. The Laboratory will be hosted by Makerere University and is the only facility of its kind in Africa under this cooperation framework, underscoring its regional and global significance.
A Strategic Partnership Rooted in Research, Policy, and Practice
In his opening remarks, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University and Ugandan Co-Director of the Joint Laboratory, traced the origins of the partnership to 2018, when a Makerere delegation visited Tsinghua University and the Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research. He recalled being deeply impressed by China’s advanced capacity in public safety research, disaster monitoring, and emergency management capabilities that directly respond to Uganda’s growing exposure to floods, landslides, epidemics, and other hazards.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the successful establishment of the Joint Laboratory followed a competitive grant process under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, supported by the Government of Uganda and regional partners, including Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. He emphasized that the Laboratory aligns squarely with Makerere’s strategic ambition to become a research-led and research-intensive university, while also advancing its internationalisation agenda.
“This Laboratory will significantly enhance Makerere University’s ability to generate evidence-based research that directly informs government policy and public safety interventions. It will serve not only Uganda, but Africa at large,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
He further underscored the Laboratory’s national importance, noting that similar facilities in China are regarded as national-level laboratories, entrusted with supporting government decision-making and national resilience. Relevant Ugandan institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), UPDF, Uganda Police, Ministry of Health, and humanitarian actors, are expected to actively participate in the Laboratory’s work.
Tsinghua University: Advancing Science Diplomacy and South–South Cooperation
Speaking on behalf of Tsinghua University, Prof. Yuan Hongyong, Dean of the Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research and Chinese Co-Director of the Joint Laboratory, described the initiative as both a scientific milestone and a powerful demonstration of South–South cooperation.
He emphasized that natural disasters transcend national borders and demand collective, science-driven responses. By combining Tsinghua’s technological expertise, including satellite monitoring, AI-driven analytics, and integrated early warning systems, with Makerere’s deep regional knowledge and policy engagement, the Joint Laboratory provides a robust platform for innovation, applied research, and practical solutions tailored to African contexts.
The Laboratory will function not only as a research centre, but also as an operational platform for natural hazard monitoring, early warning, risk assessment, and capacity building, supporting Uganda and the wider African region in building more resilient communities.
Government of Uganda: Research as a Pillar of National Resilience
Representing the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Frederick Edward Walugemba, reaffirmed the government’s strong support for the Joint Laboratory, recognizing research as a cornerstone of effective public safety and disaster management. The OPM highlighted its constitutional mandate to coordinate disaster preparedness and response through institutions such as the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre (NECOC).
He mentioned that the Office of the Prime Minister is committed to working closely with Makerere University and its partners, underscoring the importance of multi-agency collaboration, robust data systems, and timely policy advisories to address the complex, multidimensional nature of public safety challenges.
China–Uganda Relations and the Role of Science Diplomacy
Mr. WANG Jianxun, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Uganda, lauded the Joint Laboratory as a concrete outcome of the growing China–Uganda Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He emphasized that the collaboration reflects China’s commitment to knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and people-centred development, particularly in areas such as climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development.
He also highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative as a framework that extends beyond infrastructure to include scientific cooperation, academic exchange, and innovation-driven development, with the Joint Laboratory standing as a model of how universities can advance diplomacy through science.
Makerere’s Multidisciplinary Strength at the Core
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Nawangwe reaffirmed Makerere University’s readiness to operationalize the Laboratory through a multidisciplinary research team spanning public health, geography, engineering, computing, artificial intelligence, social sciences, and the built environment.
He stressed that effective disaster management must integrate technology, human behaviour, governance, and community engagement, noting the importance of sociological insights in addressing risk perception and public compliance during disasters. Makerere will also engage emerging universities and regional partners to ensure the Laboratory’s benefits are widely shared.
The Vice-Chancellor also commissioned an interim, multidisciplinary coordination committee to operationalise the Joint Laboratory, drawing expertise from health, climate science, engineering, artificial intelligence, social sciences, and government agencies.
Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo Officially Launches the Laboratory
The Joint Laboratory was officially launched by the Honourable John Chrysostom Muyingo, Minister of State for Higher Education, who applauded Makerere University and Tsinghua University for securing the prestigious grant and advancing Uganda’s science and research agenda.
Hon. Muyingo reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting research that informs national development, public safety, and disaster preparedness. He urged Ugandan researchers to fully leverage the partnership to learn from China’s experience in transforming research into actionable solutions for society.
“This Laboratory is a clear demonstration of how strategic international partnerships can strengthen national capacity, inform policy, and protect lives,” the Minister said, as he formally declared the symposium and laboratory launch open.
Positioning Makerere as a Regional Centre of Excellence
Makerere University already plays a critical role in public safety, disaster preparedness, and early warning through a range of research, training, and operational partnerships. Through the School of Public Health (MakSPH) and the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), the University has led national and regional initiatives in epidemic preparedness, emergency response, and early warning, including Field Epidemiology Training, risk prediction modelling, and multi-hazard risk assessments that inform district and national preparedness planning. A national assessment of 716 health facilities conducted by MakSPH revealed widespread exposure to climate-related hazards and systemic preparedness gaps, directly informing the Ministry of Health’s Climate and Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP 2025–2030)
Makerere has also been at the forefront of disaster risk reduction innovation and community resilience through the Resilient Africa Network (RAN), which has supported scalable, evidence-based solutions such as EpiTent, a rapidly deployable emergency health facility; RootIO, a community-based radio communication platform used for risk communication and early warning; and RIAP Horn of Africa, which advances climate-resilient water harvesting technologies for drought-prone pastoralist communities.
Earlier, the University led the USAID-funded PeriPeri U project (2014–2019) and a disaster management collaboration with Tulane University, strengthening applied research, training, and early warning systems across Africa, efforts that laid the foundation for RAN and Makerere’s current disaster resilience agenda.
In collaboration with government and international partners, Makerere has supported the strengthening of Emergency Operations Centres, including the development of Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC) dashboards to improve real-time coordination and situational awareness. IDI has further contributed to epidemic intelligence and early warning, supporting districts to update WHO STAR-based risk calendars, strengthen sub-national preparedness, and enhance real-time decision-making during outbreaks. Makerere teams have also been deployed regionally to support Marburg and Mpox outbreak responses in Rwanda and the DRC, while advancing outbreak modelling as an early warning tool for high-consequence infectious diseases.
Complementing these efforts, the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences conducts transdisciplinary research on floods, landslides, droughts, soil erosion, and land-use change, using geospatial analysis, earth observation, modelling, and participatory methods to translate complex data into actionable early warning and risk information for policymakers and communities. These ongoing initiatives collectively demonstrate Makerere University’s established capacity in public safety, disaster preparedness, and early warning, providing a strong operational and scientific foundation for the China–Uganda Belt and Road Joint Laboratory.
With strong backing from the Governments of Uganda and China, as well as leading international partners, the China–Uganda Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Natural Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning is poised to become a regional centre of excellence for disaster risk reduction research, training, and innovation.
The Laboratory will contribute to improved early warning systems, faster emergency response, stronger policy coordination, and enhanced scientific capacity, cementing Makerere University’s role at the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing public safety challenges facing Uganda, Africa, and the global community.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office Makerere University.
Through a European Union (EU) funded initiative, Makerere University and Mulago Hospital are hosting a German oncology reconstruction specialist Professor Dr. Thiha AUNG. AUNG is a surgeon, trainer at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (THD), and researcher on cancer from the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT), Germany.
With his international expertise in oncology and medical management roles at his home institution, his visit is a valuable addition to Uganda’s capacity building efforts in medical advancement.
Prof. Aung who arrived in Uganda in late September 2026 and has since then conducted free identified patient specialised surgeries and training for locals. These are expected to span two weeks. For the period, his service intersects medical expertise and humanitarian efforts.
This is not Prof. Aung’s first time in the country; his first major visit was in 2023, when he performed life-changing free surgeries on early patients. He then made medical history in June 2024 when he arrived to perform Africa’s first-ever lymph node transplant at Mulago Hospital.
It was against this background that the Makerere Public Relations Office engaged him in an exclusive interview to share his philosophy on medical service, his experiences in oncology reconstruction, and his unwavering belief that passion and dedication rather than just resources are the true drivers of sustainable medical progress.
Transforming Lives Through Oncology Reconstruction
At the heart of his mission through the ERASMUS – Oncology/Lymphedema project, is the treatment of lymphedema, a condition often referred to as elephantiasis.
In Europe, such surgeries can cost between 80,000 and 100,000 euros, making them inaccessible to many.
Thankfully, Professor and his team, including some of his post graduate students like Anna Friedrich (B.Sc) and Sophia Waser (B.Sc., PA) from the Institute of Medical Science and Engineering, have once again brought this specialised care to Uganda pro bono.
He highlights the story of a teacher who, after receiving surgery, regained her quality of life and returned to the classroom. For him, the impact is exponential. “You change one life, but this person changes a lot in the community.”
This shift from individual surgery to the long-term wellbeing of the community, reinforces the local impact of these services.
Professor AUNG’s Personal Conviction
The professor confessed that inherently, he commands himself that beyond knowledge, true progress is driven by passion and will rather than resources.
He does not agree with those that think money and resources are the sole prerequisite for change in the medical world, stating, “you cannot change with money only.” Rather, he upholds the importance of personal decision and commitment.
When discussing the challenges of working in resource-limited settings, he maintains a simple, direct explanation “it’s always beyond the money.”
Ultimately, the Professor believes that if he can provide the spark, his students and patients can carry through with the same flame for significant change.
Motivation to Serve in Uganda
When asked about his inspiration for entering the field and now volunteering to work in Uganda, he explained that his primary goal was always to serve others. “That’s why I finished my medical school to help as many people as possible with my skills.”
He views his medical expertise not as a tool for the privileged, but as a universal resource., “People are all the same, their anatomy is the same. So, I can help all these people pretty well,” Prof AUNG remarked.
His approach is motivated by a pay it forward dogma where treating a single patient creates a broader societal benefit. He illustrates this through his work with patients who, after surgery, are able to return to their professions like the teacher earlier mentioned.
Tips for Medical Professionals working in Uganda
As a foundation for professional growth, the Professor advised medical professionals working in Uganda to prioritise genuine interest in their work because he believes it is “the most important…” for “if you are interested, you will go far in the profession.”
He further reinforced the human capacity point, noting, “no matter what kind of equipment you have… it all depends on the people operating them and the patient.”
Professor AUNG concluded by encouraging doctors to overcome resource fears through action, stating, “If you want to create impact or change, you do.”
Dr. AUNG is part of the Lymphoedema Warriors Association (LWAU) in Uganda. He describes it as a grassroots organisation and commends them for “leveling the grond”. He reiterated his commitment to work with the organisation in reviewing patient reports to determine the best course of treatment.
Makerere University’s School of Public Health (MakSPH) showcased research, training and international partnerships supported through European Union funding during the EU Uganda Research and Study Fair 2026 held at Makerere University.
The fair brought together students, researchers, academics, government representatives and development partners to explore opportunities in education, research, innovation and international collaboration, while celebrating 50 years of partnership between Uganda and the European Union.
Through its exhibition, MakSPH highlighted research and capacity building initiatives addressing public health challenges including infectious diseases, non communicable diseases, health systems, climate change and pandemic preparedness.
18 EU funded projects supported at MakSPH
Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of Students, School of Public Health, said the School has benefited from 18 EU funded projects over the past five years, supporting research and training across several areas of public health.
She said the projects have contributed to the training of PhD researchers and the development of research addressing infectious diseases and prevention, non communicable diseases, health systems, climate change and health.
Prof. Wanyenze also highlighted a new five year programme which started in 2021 that is aiming at strengthening capacity for research on pandemic preparedness and response, including outbreaks such as Ebola.
Another programme being undertaken with the Ministry of Health and Karolinska Institute focuses on improving maternal health while also addressing adolescent pregnancy and the health of mothers and children.
She described partnerships as critical to advancing science and innovation, noting that collaboration allows researchers in Africa and Europe to share knowledge and strengthen the impact of research on communities.
Research partnerships strengthen innovation
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships at Makerere University, said the exhibition provided an opportunity to showcase EU funded projects across the University.
He noted that the School of Public Health alone has more than 18 such projects, while other colleges also have several EU supported initiatives.
One of the projects showcased was PREPARE TID, a partnership aimed at developing rapid diagnostic technologies for emerging and re emerging infectious diseases.
Prof. Julius Okuni, Associate Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology and Molecular Diagnostics at Makerere University, said the project brings together universities, industries and other organisations from Africa and Europe.
The project is working to develop technologies that can quickly identify pathogens responsible for outbreaks such as Ebola, Rift Valley fever and Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever.
According to Prof. Okuni, Makerere is involved in field and laboratory work to test and refine the technologies before they can be delivered to end users.
Fair provides platform for research visibility
For researchers at MakSPH, the fair also provided an opportunity to increase the visibility of ongoing research and create new connections with researchers, policymakers and potential funders.
Dr. Raymond Tweheyo, Honorary Lecturer and Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, said such exhibitions allow researchers to share their work and identify others working on related challenges.
He cited the CONNECT for Health project, which focuses on transforming non-communicable disease care in Uganda through collaboration with partners across several countries.
Dr. Tweheyo said exhibitions can help researchers connect with policymakers, civil society organisations and other partners who can contribute to translating research into practical solutions.
Assoc. Prof. Angelina Kakooza Mwesigye, Associate Professor and Child Neurologist at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, also emphasised the importance of exposing young people to international research opportunities.
She said the long standing Uganda Europe partnership provides opportunities for the next generation of researchers to learn, build networks and prepare for future research collaborations.
The School of Public Health’s participation highlighted the role of international partnerships in strengthening research capacity, supporting innovation and developing evidence based responses to Uganda’s public health challenges.
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