Health
Makerere University Explores Strategic Partnership with Tsinghua University in Safety Science, Disaster Resilience and Public Health
Makerere University has taken a significant step toward strengthening global research collaboration following a high-level meeting between Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and a delegation from Tsinghua University’s Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research, one of China’s leading centres of excellence in disaster prevention, public safety, and emergency management. The engagement marked a renewed commitment to advancing scientific cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in addressing complex environmental and public health challenges that continue to shape national and global development.
A Partnership Anchored in Shared Challenges and Global Priorities
In his remarks, Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that the concept of comprehensive public safety, spanning natural disasters, epidemics, infrastructure failures, and social risks, is increasingly relevant to all colleges and disciplines at Makerere. Uganda’s experience with epidemics such as Ebola, cholera, and COVID-19; frequent landslides in mountainous regions; flooding events; and rising traffic-related incidents place the University in a unique position to contribute applied research, community-based insights, and local knowledge to a global scientific dialogue.
He noted that the Tsinghua presentation revealed new areas of alignment, particularly in epidemic modelling, early-warning systems, and integrated emergency management, areas where Makerere’s public health scientists, medical researchers, and social scientists have extensive expertise.
“This collaboration offers meaningful opportunities for nearly every college at Makerere,” he noted. “Public safety touches the environment, public health, engineering, social sciences, ICT, humanities, and urban planning. The challenges we face as a country make this partnership both timely and essential.” Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted.
Tsinghua University: A Global Leader in Comprehensive Public Safety.
The delegation from Tsinghua University outlined China’s national investment in Public safety over the past two decades, an effort driven by the recognition that life and security are the foundation of sustainable development. Tsinghua’s Hefei Institute for Public Safety Research has developed nationally recognised research platforms and large-scale simulation facilities dedicated to Natural disaster modelling (earthquakes, landslides, floods, typhoons, Infrastructure and urban systems safety, Public health emergencies and epidemic preparedness, Early-warning, monitoring, and emergency communication, Traffic and transportation safety, Post-disaster reconstruction and resilience planning.
Their systems currently support over 100 provincial and municipal emergency management centres in China, underscoring their global leadership in practical, scalable solutions for disaster risk management. The delegation reaffirmed that Uganda’s lived experience with multiple hazards presents opportunities for meaningful knowledge exchange. They expressed particular interest in learning from Makerere’s work on epidemic response, community health systems, and the social dimensions of disaster management.
Emerging Areas of Partnership
The meeting identified several promising pathways for long-term collaboration:
1. Joint Research in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate-Related Hazards
Both institutions expressed readiness to co-develop research projects on landslides, floods, urban resilience, and multi-hazard modelling, drawing on Tsinghua’s advanced simulation technologies and Makerere’s environmental expertise and geographic field realities.
2. Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Epidemic Response
Makerere’s renowned public health schools and research centres will collaborate with Tsinghua on epidemic prediction, early-warning systems, and integrated preparedness frameworks, leveraging Uganda’s decades of experience managing high-risk disease outbreaks.
3. Infrastructure and Urban Safety, Including Traffic Systems
With Uganda experiencing rapid urbanisation and high rates of motorcycle-related road incidents, Tsinghua shared insights from China’s own transformation, including infrastructure redesign, transport modelling, and public transit innovations. Collaborative work in this area would support city planning and road safety interventions in Kampala and other urban centres.
4. Academic Exchange and Capacity Building
Both sides expressed interest in student exchanges, staff mobility, co-supervision of postgraduate research, and specialised training programmes hosted at Tsinghua’s world-class safety research facilities.
5. Development of a Joint Public Safety Laboratory at Makerere
The institutions are exploring the establishment of a collaborative safety research platform in Uganda. This initiative could serve as a regional hub for innovation in emergency management, environmental safety, and technology-driven risk assessment.
Towards a Long-Term, Impactful Collaboration
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to develop a structured partnership framework in the coming months, supported by both universities and aligned with Uganda–China cooperation priorities. Both teams acknowledged that the partnership must yield tangible results that enhance community resilience, bolster national preparedness systems, and foster scientific capacity for future generations.
Prof. Nawangwe commended Tsinghua University for its willingness to co-invest in research and capacity building, noting that such collaborations position Makerere not only as a leading research institution in Africa but as an active contributor to global scientific progress.
“This partnership has the potential to transform our understanding of the science of public safety to deliver solutions that safeguard lives.” Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted.
“It aligns perfectly with Makerere’s mission to be a research-led, innovation-driven university responding to the world’s most urgent challenges.” He added.
As part of this strategic partnership engagement, Makerere University will, on Wednesday, 17th December, co-host the Makerere University–Tsinghua University Symposium on Public Safety and Natural Disaster Management. The symposium will run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the University Main Hall, Main Building.
This symposium represents a deepening of collaboration not only between Makerere University and Tsinghua University, but also a broader strategic partnership between Uganda and the People’s Republic of China.
During the event, H.E. Zhang Lizhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda, together with the State Minister for Higher Education, Government of Uganda, will officially launch the China–Uganda Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Natural Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning. The Laboratory will be hosted at Makerere University, positioning the University to play a central role in strengthening Uganda’s and the region’s capacity for natural disaster preparedness, public safety, and emergency management research.
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.
Uganda has strengthened its ability to respond rapidly to Ebola and Marburg outbreaks once cases are confirmed, but delays in frontline detection, health worker exposure, emergency financing bottlenecks and incomplete implementation of lessons from previous outbreaks continue to undermine preparedness, a study has found.
The findings were presented today, October 6, 2026, during a country validation workshop convened by the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EPiC) project, to examine lessons from Uganda’s response to filovirus disease outbreaks. The study was undertaken by Makerere University School of Public Health and FHI 360.
Presented by Dr. Steven Kabwama, the synthesis examined Uganda’s experience with recurrent Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreaks between 2000 and 2026, drawing particularly on After-Action Reviews from the 2017 Marburg outbreak and the 2019, 2022 and 2025 Ebola outbreaks. The work seeks to consolidate recurring strengths, weaknesses, innovations and lessons that had previously been documented separately.
Uganda has recorded 12 filovirus outbreaks over the 26-year period, including nine Ebola and three Marburg outbreaks, according to the research team. Among the four outbreaks examined closely were the 2017 Marburg outbreak in Kween and Kapchorwa, the cross-border Ebola outbreak in Kasese in 2019, the multi-district Sudan Ebola virus outbreak in 2022, and the 2025 outbreak whose index case was a health worker.
Strong systems after confirmation
Across the outbreaks reviewed, the synthesis found that Uganda has developed significant capacity to mobilise after laboratory confirmation. National and district task forces and technical response structures are activated quickly, supported by strong laboratory capacity, established coordination mechanisms and increasingly sophisticated surveillance systems.
The country has also built laboratory capacity around the Uganda Virus Research Institute, mobile laboratories, genomic sequencing, sample referral systems and the Results Dispatch System. Digital surveillance tools, Village Health Teams, survivor champions and established national and district coordination structures have further strengthened response capacity.
Detection remains a weak point
However, the findings point to a critical problem before confirmation: recognising a possible outbreak early enough.
For outbreaks originating within Uganda, the synthesis found that the period between a patient’s first presentation and confirmation ranged from nine to 27 days. This the study found is linked to low clinical suspicion and weaknesses in screening. Other recurring challenges included delayed access to emergency financing, infections among health workers, disruptions to essential health services, community mistrust and stigma, and limited follow-through on recommendations from previous After-Action Reviews.
Opening the workshop, the Dean, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, said understanding these delays requires going beyond identifying broad weaknesses to examining where response systems fail in practice.
“We can identify a broad challenge such as delayed detection from the literature, but your experience on the ground can help us understand the specific factors that create that challenge,” Prof. Wanyenze said while addressing district health officials from across the country.
“When we begin looking for solutions, we need to be able to target the actual problems rather than simply identifying broad challenges.”
The workshop brought together partners and colleagues from districts, including people directly involved in outbreak response, to validate the synthesis against frontline experience. Prof. Wanyenze noted that published literature, scientific papers and response reports cannot capture every operational reality, making practitioner experience essential to understanding where delays occur and what interventions have worked. Remarks validation workshop
Turning outbreak experience into continuous readiness
Among the priority actions proposed are stronger screening and alert systems for earlier detection; ring-fenced emergency financing and more reliable responder payment systems; routine infection prevention and control training; stronger occupational protection for health workers; continued investment in laboratories and genomic sequencing; and preparedness extending beyond districts traditionally considered outbreak hotspots. The study also recommends stronger community engagement and a formal mechanism to track and finance implementation of recommendations from After-Action Reviews.
Dr. Andrew Acero, Director of the EPiC project at FHI 360’s Uganda Office said the central challenge is ensuring that experience accumulated during successive outbreaks translates into lasting institutional capacity.
“The real value lies in ensuring that what we learn changes what we do. Our findings should inform policy, shape guidelines and training, strengthen systems and ultimately improve practice.”
He noted that preparedness cannot begin only after an emergency has been declared, but must be built through sustained relationships, systems and capacity before outbreaks occur. Remarks validation workshop
The EPiC project is led by FHI 360 with core partners including Right to Care, Palladium and Population Services International.
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