Policy Briefs

1. Title: Strengthening Uganda’s Preparedness and
Response to Ebola Outbreak.
  • Introduction
    Uganda continues to face significant threats from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), highlighting
    persistent gaps in surveillance, diagnostics, community engagement, and stigma reduction.
    The IDEA Fellowship Program at Busitema University convened a global conference to
    address these issues, recommending strategic actions for improved epidemic management.
    Key Issues Identified:
    1. Disease Nomenclature and Stigma:
  •  Geographical naming of Ebola contributes to stigma, impacting public
    perception and policy effectiveness.
  •  Neutral terms such as “Filoviral Hemorrhagic Fever” (FHF) or “Severe Viral
    Hemorrhagic Fever” (SVHF) were recommended.
    2. Surveillance and Diagnostics:
  •  Strengthening real-time surveillance and diagnostics is crucial, including
    community-based and mobile health solutions.
  •  Improved laboratory capacity and rapid diagnostic capabilities can
    significantly reduce outbreak severity.
    3. Community Engagement:
  •  Active community participation is essential in managing misinformation and
    stigma.
  •  Strategies include targeted awareness campaigns and involving local
    leadership to enhance public trust and response compliance.
    4. Technology and Innovation:
  •  Digital health technologies such as GIS mapping, mobile health tools, and
    real-time data tracking can improve outbreak monitoring and response
    efficiency.
    5. Research and Collaboration:
  • Sustained investment in research, vaccine development, and clinical trials is
    critical.
  •  The establishment of the Global Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Research Network
    (GLOVIRN) is recommended for coordinated global research and response.
    Policy Recommendations:
    • Adopt neutral disease terminology to mitigate stigma and enhance public health
    messaging.
    • Strengthen early-warning systems and real-time surveillance capacities nationwide.
    • Enhance laboratory diagnostic capabilities and training to facilitate rapid outbreak
    detection and containment.
    • Expand community-based programs focused on behavioral change, public education,
    and active participation.
    • Integrate digital health technologies to improve epidemic preparedness and response.
    • Support global collaborative research initiatives through the operationalization of
    GLOVIRN.
    Conclusion
    Implementing these strategic actions will significantly enhance Uganda’s capacity to manage
    Ebola outbreaks effectively, minimize socio-economic impacts, and strengthen resilience
    against future public health threats.

Document Download Link:https://mcri.ac.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Policy-Brief.pdf

     How to Use Our Policy Briefs:
    • Download: Available for download in PDF format for personal or professional use.
    • Cite: Each brief includes citation information for academic or policy use.
    • Feedback: Your input is valuable; reach out to us with your thoughts or suggestions.

Featured Policy Briefs from Ongoing Projects:

Research Output

Featured Policy Briefs from Completed Projects:

 

  1. Title: Optimizing Treatment for Severe Anaemia in Children
  • Summary: Insights from the TRACT (Transfusion and Treatment of severe Anaemia in African Children) study.
  • Key Findings: Comparing different treatment modalities for severe anaemia, with a focus on mortality and morbidity outcomes.
  • Policy Recommendations: Standardize treatment protocols, improve blood transfusion services, and enhance training for health workers on emergency care.
  1. Title: Hydroxyurea Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease
  • Summary: Outcomes from the REACH (Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea) project.
  • Key Findings: Hydroxyurea has shown effectiveness in reducing the frequency and severity of sickle cell crises.
  • Policy Recommendations: Broaden access to hydroxyurea, monitor long-term effects, and include it in national guidelines for managing sickle cell disease.
  1. Title: Malaria Research Capacity Building
  • Summary: From a project aimed at strengthening malaria research through mentorship and capacity building.
  • Key Findings: Enhancing local research capabilities significantly improves malaria control strategies.
  • Policy Recommendations: Commit to ongoing training for researchers, create mentorship networks, and foster collaboration among various stakeholders
  • How to Use Our Policy Briefs:
    • Download: Available for download in PDF format for personal or professional use.
    • Cite: Each brief includes citation information for academic or policy use.
    • Feedback: Your input is valuable; reach out to us with your thoughts or suggestions.
  •  

About

Ms. Adyango Catherine is a Human Resource Manager and Senior Grants Professional with over 15 years of experience in managing multimillion-dollar donor portfolios, project operations, and organizational systems strengthening. She currently serves as Human resource Manager at Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), where she leads in Human resource management,  donor compliance, project operations, and institutional capacity building.

At MCRI, Catherine has combined her expertise in grant management and human resources to establish efficient systems that support both research and staff welfare. She played a pivotal role in championing organizational culture reforms, developing HR policies, strengthening staff welfare schemes, and promoting inclusive recruitment processes. She also streamlined adoption of a Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS/ESS), which reduced administrative bottlenecks and improved efficiency across teams.

Her academic background includes a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (Uganda Management Institute), an MSc in Health Services Management, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration & management. Catherine is also pursuing ACCA training, demonstrating her commitment to continuous professional growth.

Catherine’s career reflects a strong commitment to strategic leadership, staff development, and inclusive programming, with a proven ability to balance donor expectations and human resource needs. Her work at MCRI has significantly contributed to building sustainable research capacity, enhancing compliance systems, and creating a supportive work environment that empowers both researchers and administrative staff.

About

Denis Amorut serves as the Study Site Coordinator at the Mbale Clinical Research Institute’s Soroti Site. He is a qualified Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management from the Islamic University in Uganda and a Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing from Soroti School of Registered Comprehensive Nursing. Additionally, he is currently pursuing an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research & Quality Assurance at James Lind Institute, showcasing his commitment to advancing his expertise in clinical research. Denis has an extensive professional background with 12 years in clinical nursing practice and 11 years dedicated to clinical research. He is registered with the Uganda Midwives and Nurses Council, highlighting his professional standing in the healthcare sector.
 
Throughout his career, Denis has held significant positions such as Trial Manager since November 2021 and previously as Study Site Coordinator at Soroti Regional Referral and Teaching Hospital from 2008 to October 2021. He also serves as a member of the Medicine and Therapeutic Committee at the same hospital since 2018. Denis has enriched his knowledge and skills through numerous online courses and certifications in areas like research ethics, data management for clinical studies, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and managing health emergencies like Covid-19. His involvement in various research studies, including the TRACT study, and his roles in hospital committees further demonstrate his dedication to both practice and research in healthcare, focusing on improving patient care through evidence-based practices.

About

Ms. Linda Isabirye serves as the Public and Community Engagement Officer at MCRI, where her role encompasses a variety of tasks aimed at enhancing the Institute’s interaction with both internal and external communities. Her work is divided into two primary focuses: public engagement, where she communicates the Institute’s research and ideas to the public, and community engagement, where she assists others in conducting research and achieving their objectives.

In her community engagement efforts, Linda is involved in developing and sustaining a public engagement and involvement framework for the research program. She identifies local opportunities for community collaboration, nurturing relationships with MCRI’s research scientists, staff, and the broader community.

With over two years of experience, she has worked extensively with diverse community stakeholders. Her responsibilities include coordinating activities for the Community Advisory Board (CAB), designing, and overseeing the execution of Community Engagement (CE) initiatives. These initiatives are crucial for identifying, recruiting, and retaining volunteers, engaging community leadership, and supporting the formation and operation of community peer groups. This includes working with study participants, family support groups, and youth and adolescent groups, among others.

About

Rita Muhindo holds a MSc. Molecular Biology from Staffordshire University, UK. She attained her BSc. Biomedical Laboratory Science and Technology degree from Makerere University and an Advanced Diploma in Health Services Management from Islamic University in Uganda. She joined Mbale Clinical Research Institute in July 2011 as a laboratory technologist participating in setting up various laboratory assays for all clinical trials at the MCRI.

She is currently the laboratory manager of MCRI, a role which involves supervision all laboratory research activities at MCRI main and satellite laboratories. She has over twelve years of experience in managing laboratory clinical research and diagnostics service delivery across several key disciplines including molecular, immunology, hematology, microbiology and clinical chemistry.

She has keen interest in understanding the prevalence of red cell polymorphisms present in Ugandan donor populations. Her main focus of her MSc project was on the prevalence of Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, α-thalassaemia and Haemoglobin S among Ugandan donors. Rita is also keen to explore the effects of these polymorphisms on the resolution of severe anaemia.

About

Dr. Charles Benard Okalebo is a highly qualified professional with a B. Pharm, an MPH, and currently a fellow in Infectious Disease and Field Epidemiology under the EDCTP-funded IDEA fellowship. His background as a pharmacist and public health specialist, combined with his role as a Quality Assurance Officer, has provided him with extensive experience in clinical research. This diverse training has honed his skills in assessing healthcare gaps, identifying problems, and designing projects to address these deficiencies. Dr. Okalebo values accuracy, integrity, quality, and career growth above all.
 
He is an experienced and determined professional in conducting clinical trials for both infectious and non-infectious diseases. With eight years in the research field, he has served as a Pharmacist and Quality Assurance Officer at the Mbale Clinical Research Institute, focusing on various types of clinical trials related to infectious diseases. His involvement spans across all phases of clinical trials (I-III), including protocol design, review, and implementation; navigating regulatory approval processes; managing investigational medicinal products (IMP); monitoring studies; establishing and implementing Quality Management processes; pharmacovigilance; and leading training sessions on the ethical conduct of research. The trials he has participated in include TRACT (ISRCTN84086586), GASTROSAM (ISRCTN76149273), PAC (ISRCTN11594437), FLACSAM (ISRCTN18051843), MIMBLE (ISRCTN10309022), and TABS (ISRCTN49726849) studies.
 
Dr. Okalebo is a dedicated researcher with a keen interest in advancing his career in pharmaco-epidemiology, statistics, and pharmacovigilance.

About

Felix Opio joined the Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI) in April 2014 as Data Manager under the REACH (Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea) ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01966731) which is a prospective, Phase I/II open-label trial of hydroxyurea designed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, long-term risks and benefits of hydroxyurea treatment for children with SCA in four sub-Saharan African countries (Mable Uganda,Kilifi Kenya, Luanda Angola and Kinshasa DRC).

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Gulu University, a post graduate diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from Uganda Management Institute (UMI), Certificate in Project Management Professional from Devimpact Institute Kenya and various other certification in Clinical database development.

He Has 9 years of experience in Clinical Database design and Management, He is Currently overseeing data management work for the REACH study and all the day to day activities of the Project, He is also a member of the internal Clinical Trial Monitoring Unit and A chairperson Procurement Committee for Mbale Clinical Research Institute.

About

Ebitu Caleb Daniel serves as an I.T Support Officer at the Mbale Clinical Research Institute. He is recognized as an accomplished network and systems administrator, who takes pleasure in applying his skills to support and contribute to the technological advancement of research within the institution.
 
Ebitu graduated from Uganda Christian University Mukono with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Over the years, he has also acquired various certifications including CCNA, Information Security, Google Cloud Developer, PMP (Telecom), and Federated Identity Management.

About

Laban has accumulated over four years of experience in managing research financial processes since joining the Mbale Clinical Research Institute on July 1, 2019, as an Accounts Assistant. This experience complements his extensive background of over ten years in the banking sector, where he has previously worked for two banks in roles involving people management, cash management, internal controls, and accountability.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies, specializing in Accounting, from the Islamic University of Uganda. He is currently pursuing a Certificate of Public Accountants (CPA) from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), with only two papers remaining to complete the course.

Driven by an ambition to advance his career in accounting and expand his experience in research-related accounting managed by well-established systems and processes, he believes that MCRI is the ideal place for his professional growth.