Makerere University School of Public Health

To you, our dear staff, students, alumni, and partners, We wish you a joyful Easter. May this season bring you rest, renewal, and time to reconnect with what matters most. Thank you for all that you continue to do to advance public health in Uganda and beyond. To a peaceful and joyful holiday!

These exchanges have been complemented by technical sessions on key decision-support tools, including SaniPath, WASH FIT, and the Pathogen Flow Tool, strengthening countries’ capacity to generate and apply actionable evidence. As the workshop enters its final day, partners are focusing on country-specific next steps, policy pathways, and opportunities for scale. The convening is expected to strengthen cross-country coordination and advance the translation of research into practice, inform investment, and improve public health outcomes.

The meeting opened with remarks from key national and institutional leaders, including Assoc. Prof. Esther Buregyeya (MakSPH), represented by Dr. @isunju_j, alongside Dr. @DrNabaasa from the @MinofHealthUG and Dr. Felix Twinomucunguzi from @min_waterUg. Their remarks emphasized the critical role of evidence-based decision-making in guiding WASH investments and policy, underscoring strong government commitment to institutionalizing data-driven approaches. Over the past three days, country teams from Ghana, Bangladesh, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal have shared progress on their respective projects, highlighting intervention design, implementation experiences, and emerging results.

PROMISE Consortium Convenes Global Partners in Kampala to Advance Evidence-Driven Sanitation and Health Systems The PROMISE Consortium is currently convening a multi-country workshop in Kampala, Uganda, bringing together partners from across Africa, Asia, and the United States to strengthen collaboration, share progress, and accelerate the use of evidence in sanitation, hygiene, and health systems. Now on its third day, the four-day workshop, hosted by @Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) through Dr. Richard Mugambe and running from March 30th to April 2nd, focuses on strengthening mechanisms to institutionalise evidence-informed decision-making; building partner capacity to generate, analyze, and translate high-quality data using PROMISE-supported tools; and accelerating the translation of research into policy, practice, and investment.

This morning, we received digital systems and hardware acquired over the past 15 years through the METS programme, under the Makerere University School of Public Health with funding from the U.S. Government. Reflecting on this journey, we have witnessed significant transformation in digital health, including real-time dashboards that support informed decision-making. While there were initially many fragmented systems, these are largely being integrated toward a centralized national digital health system (EAFYA). With continued partner support and strengthened local capacity to plan, budget, and implement, Uganda is advancing toward full digitization of the health sector. We extend our appreciation to the U.S. Government for its contribution to Uganda’s digital health agenda.

Today, March 31, 2026, Makerere University School of Public Health, through the MakSPH Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (MakSPH-METS) Program, officially handed over national digital health systems and assets to the Ministry of Health at a ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters. This transition marks the culmination of 15 years of sustained investment of US$103.8 million by the US government through CDC and PEPFAR, partnership, and system strengthening. Established in 2010, the MakSPH-METS Program was designed to address long-standing gaps in Uganda’s health system, particularly fragmented data systems, limited coordination, and weak use of digital tools in decision-making. Over time, the program worked closely with the government to build a more connected, responsive, and data-driven health system. Working with partners, significant progress has been made in improving the accessibility, timeliness, and reliability of health data supporting better decision-making across the system. Disease surveillance has expanded considerably, with over 1,300 health facilities now implementing case-based surveillance, alongside strengthened capacity in HIV recency and mortality tracking. Reporting rates have improved from 58% in 2020 to 98% in 2025, while electronic medical record coverage has grown to over 86% nationwide. The handover included critical infrastructure such as 725 servers; more than 4,700 computing devices, including desktops, laptops, and tablets; solar power systems for nearly 800 health facilities; connectivity equipment for more than 1,300 sites; video conferencing systems; and upgrades to regional referral hospital networks, alongside skilled personnel to support these systems. All assets have now been fully transitioned to government ownership, with strengthened national capacity to manage and sustain them, supported by the United States Government through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) @CDCgov. As Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of MakSPH and Principal Investigator of the program, noted, this moment goes beyond a transfer of assets. It reflects systems that have been co-created, embedded, and are now fully owned by the government @GovUganda. The ceremony was officiated by the @USAmbUganda, William W. Popp, and the Permanent Secretary, @MinofHealthUG, Dr. @DianaAtwine, DG. @olaro_charles PI @metsprogrammeugand Dean, @MakSPH @RhodaWanyenze Among the 16 systems transitioned are platforms supporting electronic medical records in health facilities; HIV case-based surveillance and dashboards; disease outbreak and respiratory illness tracking; stock monitoring for HIV, TB, reproductive health, and COVID-19 commodities; viral load and early infant diagnosis reporting; quality improvement monitoring; PEPFAR reporting; DREAMS tracking; ICT infrastructure management; e-learning; and health worker support systems.

Meanwhile, Prof. Fredrick Edward Makumbi underscored the role of academia in advancing this agenda through evidence generation, training, and bridging policy and practice. Overall, this year's conference reaffirmed that equitable, action-oriented partnerships are central to building resilient health systems and achieving sustainable environmental health outcomes.

On behalf of the Chief Guest, Dr. @sarahkzalwango, Mr. Henry Kawula emphasised that effective environmental health service delivery depends on deliberate, well-coordinated partnerships across sectors, particularly in resource-constrained settings, alongside stronger linkages between training and real-world practice. Delivering the keynote address, Assoc. Prof. @Suexane highlighted the need for integrated, systems-based approaches driven by equitable partnerships that centre local leadership, shared responsibility, and long-term collaboration.

We have just concluded the 21st @MUEHSA1 Annual Scientific Conference, organised by students and held at the @Makerere University School of Public Health under the theme “Equitable Partnerships for Environmental Health: A Pillar for Resilient Health Systems and Sustainable Development.” The convening brought together students, practitioners, academia, and development partners, reinforcing a shared recognition that today’s environmental health challenges are complex, interconnected, and require collective action.

Discussions from the event generated actionable evidence on environmental contamination risks around healthcare facilities and gaps in hygiene practices that sustain infection transmission, strengthening the case for data-driven, context-specific interventions to inform policy, planning, and investment. Through the PROMISE Consortium, MakSPH and its partners are advancing evidence-based planning, financing, and implementation of sanitation and hygiene interventions, strategically positioning Uganda within broader global efforts aligned to Africa Agenda 2063 and other international development frameworks. #UWEWK26

The national event, held from Monday, 23 to Friday, 27 March 2026 under the theme “Water and Environment for an inclusive and prosperous Uganda,” was officially opened by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Hon. @RobinahNabbanja. She underscored the central role of water and environmental stewardship, noting that “Water and a healthy environment are not luxuries, they are the foundation of life, livelihoods, sustainable development and a prosperous Uganda.”

Yesterday, @Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), through the PROMISE Consortium (Promoting Evidence-Based Investments in Sanitation and Hygiene for Health & Equity), joined the Ministry of Water and Environment (@min_waterUg) and partners to commemorate the 9th Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) 2026 at the Ministry headquarters in Luzira, Kampala. The delegation, led by Dr. Richard Mugambe, convened a high-level side event on investment in science, technology, innovation, and capacity building to advance water and environmental management and development, to examine pathogen transmission pathways linked to sanitation and hygiene in urban communities and healthcare facilities, and inform evidence-based policy and practice.

Happening this Monday Join the #AFRHiCARE Research Webinar hosted by @MakSPH Exploring how general hospitals in Africa can deliver stronger, more responsive care based on new evidence from Uganda 🇺🇬 🗓 Mon, 30 March ⏰ 1–2:30 PM 🔗 bit.ly/AFRHiCARESemin…

✼••┈┈┈┈••✼PUBLIC LECTURE✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ Join us for an insightful Public Lecture and High-Level Roundtable Dialogue on Health Financing in Uganda on 9 April 2026. We are bringing together a distinguished panel of leaders and experts shaping Uganda’s health and financing landscape. This is a unique opportunity to engage, learn, and gain fresh perspectives on investing in health for Uganda’s future. 🗓️ Thursday, 9 April 2026 ⏳ 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍 The Auditorium, Makerere University School of Public Health & Online Moderator: Associate Professor Elizabeth Ekirapa Kiracho (@LizEkirapa) Public Health Specialist, Makerere University School of Public Health Panelists: ⦿ Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi (@rggoobi), Permanent Secretary & Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, @mofpedU ⦿ Dr. @DianaAtwine, Permanent Secretary, @MinofHealthUG ⦿ Prof. Freddie Ssengooba (@fssengooba), Professor of Health Economics and Health Systems Management, MakSPH ⦿ Mr. Stephen Omojong, Research & Product Development Manager, @nssfug ⦿ @DrIanClarke, Physician, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur & Chairman, Clarke Group Companies Come ready to listen, engage, and be part of the conversation shaping sustainable health financing in Uganda. @GovUganda @GCICUganda @MakerereNews

🗓️✍️📌 SAVE THE DATE Public Lecture & High-Level Roundtable on Health Financing in Uganda @Makerere University School of Public Health, in collaboration with the @MinofHealthUG and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (@mofpedU), invites you to a high-level national dialogue on the future of health financing. Keynote: Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi (@rggoobi), Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Theme: Investing in Health for Uganda’s Future: Delivering Vision 2040 through Smart and Sustainable Health Financing Featuring reflections from Dr. @DianaAtwine, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, and Ms. Jane Mwesiga, Deputy Head of Public Service (Service Delivery) @OPMUganda. Engage in a High-Level Roundtable with leaders across government, academia, the private sector, and development partners to explore sustainable, innovative health financing solutions. Date: 9 April 2026 Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍MakSPH Auditorium, Eastern Gate, Makerere University As Uganda advances toward Vision 2040, investing in health is not just a social priority BUT a strategic economic imperative. Do not miss the conversation!

ALAMIME Alumni Webinar Invitation @Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), through the African Leadership and Management Training for Impact in Malaria Eradication (@ALAMIMEprogram), invites you to today’s alumni webinar on Real-Time Malaria Programming Intelligence: Leveraging Digital Data Tools for Rapid Response. As malaria elimination efforts intensify, the ability to generate and use real-time data is critical for timely decision-making, effective programming, and improved health outcomes. This session will explore how digital tools are transforming malaria surveillance and enabling rapid, evidence-based responses within Uganda’s health system, drawing on practical experience from national implementation. The webinar is relevant for public health professionals, researchers, programme managers, policymakers, and students interested in malaria control, digital health, and data-driven decision-making. Register here to join: tinyurl.com/3hjejcjx

🎓 Scholarship Alert! CTRIAD @MakSPH is offering 2 tuition scholarships for 2025/26 Master’s programs (Public Health, Biostatistics, Health Informatics & more). Eligibility: Ugandan citizens, CGPA ≥ 4.0, interest in injury prevention research. 📅 Deadline: April 17, 2026.

Webinar Invitation | MakSPH–Global Fund Series @Makerere University School of Public Health, in partnership with The @GlobalFund, cordially invites you to the second session of the MakSPH–Global Fund Webinar & Community of Practice Series. This session will address a critical priority area: Strengthening Health Data Visualization for Evidence-Based Decision-Making Advancing analytical reporting and optimizing data use across national and subnational health systems. Bringing together leading public health experts, data scientists, and practitioners from across the region, the webinar will provide practical insights and real-world approaches to enhancing the visualization, interpretation, and application of health data to drive informed decision-making. Happening on Thursday, 2 April 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (EAT) 📌 Register to participate: 🔗 bit.ly/DataVisualizat… The session will feature: Opening remarks by @RhodaWanyenze Moderation by Florence Musinguzi Keynote address by Prosper Behumbiize of @hisp_uganda A panel of distinguished experts from Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia We encourage you to share this invitation within your professional networks and join us as we advance data-driven decision-making and strengthen health systems across Africa.

Invitation: 21st MUEHSA Annual Scientific Conference 2026 @Makerere University School of Public Health invites you to the 21st MUEHSA Annual Scientific Conference 2026 organised by our students under @MUEHSA1. Theme: Equitable Partnerships for Environmental Health: A Pillar for Resilient Health Systems and Sustainable Development Date: Friday, 27th March 2026 Venue: MakSPH Auditorium The conference will convene students, faculty, alumni, and partners for discussions, presentations, and networking on key environmental health issues, including climate resilience, One Health, and sustainable systems. Register here to attend or support the conference: forms.gle/dqdbuXd2SY1gBX… For inquiries: muehsa@musph.ac.ug