MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit

MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit We aim to impact on health policy and practice through quality research and capacity building

What if you could test a new HIV prevention method without giving anyone a placebo?Scientists at MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Ugan...
02/12/2025

What if you could test a new HIV prevention method without giving anyone a placebo?

Scientists at MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit have demonstrated a way. By creating counterfactual control groups from well‑matched data (either from past trial placebo groups or contemporary observational cohorts), using a statistical technique called propensity‑score matching.

Their findings suggest that when done right, this approach can give reliable estimates of how well a prevention method works — without risking participants’ health.

But using old or unmatched data can overestimate the benefit.

Read the full paper for more details: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13080844

Don’t miss this!Join OBE Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, Head of Viral Pathogen Research at MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda and Director...
02/12/2025

Don’t miss this!

Join OBE Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, Head of Viral Pathogen Research at MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda and Director of Uganda Virus Research Institute, as he sits down with the President and members of Rotaract Lubowa to discuss the tools needed to end the HIV epidemic.

📅 Date: Tuesday, 2 December 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
💻 Join online: https://zoom.us/j/96032885021?pwd=RVCKRo2cMVaNHUQCuRpCoxKF2fFpPZ

The MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit with support from Roche African Genomics Program, invites applications for ...
07/10/2025

The MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit with support from Roche African Genomics Program, invites applications for bursaries to support MSc, PhD, and early-career researchers in genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology.

What’s on offer:
Access to the Uganda Medical Informatics Centre (UMIC) high-performance computing cluster.
£2,000 support for computational run time and data storage.
Mentorship and recognition from leading genomics experts.

For more information and application, click here:https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/units/mrc-uganda/news/471786/grant-roche-african-genomics-program-expand-genomics-research-capacity-africa

Apply before 31 October 2025.

In the next session at our Intellectual Property seminar, Anjali Aeri, Counsellor at World Intellectual Property Organiz...
25/09/2025

In the next session at our Intellectual Property seminar, Anjali Aeri, Counsellor at World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO, unpacked the global IP landscape and highlighted the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) as a strategic pathway for securing protection across multiple countries.

She emphasized that it is crucial for innovators to start filings at the local office, understand different national requirements, and then scale their IP protection globally. Choosing the right patenting route not only safeguards innovations but also plays a key role in advancing global health initiatives.

Dr Byson Colyns Sabola, Training Officer at ARIPO has highlighted how regional IP frameworks can help Ugandan researcher...
25/09/2025

Dr Byson Colyns Sabola, Training Officer at ARIPO has highlighted how regional IP frameworks can help Ugandan researchers translate discoveries into products, policies, and practices that save lives.

As a member state of ARIPO, Uganda benefits from IP systems that extend protection beyond national borders, ensuring that innovations reach wider markets and communities.

During his presentation, he highlighted the need for scientists to safeguard their research through IP to maximise societal impact, prioritise IP to commercialize innovations and generate funding for future research and leverage ARIPO’s regional system as a convenient and cost-effective pathway for protection.

Today, we’re hosting an Intellectual Property (IP) Management Seminar for researchers and innovators under the theme, “U...
25/09/2025

Today, we’re hosting an Intellectual Property (IP) Management Seminar for researchers and innovators under the theme, “Understanding existing IP frameworks, practices and obligations.”

We are joined by leading experts from World Intellectual Property Organization, ARIPO, Uganda Registration Services Bureau , Innovent Labs Africa, Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Science for Africa Foundation, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Uganda Virus Research Institute who will share insights on how to navigate opportunities and challenges around IP in research.

Together, we’re exploring how to embed a culture where African discoveries move beyond labs and journals to shape products, policies and practices that save lives.

This conversation is key to empowering researchers and innovators to protect and leverage their ideas for maximum impact.

Have you heard of chikungunya? Dr Doris Kemunto Nyamwaya from the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit joins host Kar...
05/09/2025

Have you heard of chikungunya?

Dr Doris Kemunto Nyamwaya from the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit joins host Karl Byrne on the latest London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Viral podcast to unpack this little-known virus—why public health experts are paying close attention, and how vaccines could change the picture.

Listen now: https://pod.link/1497329104/episode/YzY2ODg3M2UtYjNiMS00NDJkLTkwNzctNGQ2MDFkZWEzYmUy

A study conducted by MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit scientists in central Uganda has demonstrated that a dual H...
02/09/2025

A study conducted by MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit scientists in central Uganda has demonstrated that a dual HIV/syphilis rapid diagnostic test (RDT) is transforming maternal care.

The introduction of this single test increased testing among pregnant women from 50% to 84%, doubled proper treatment for those infected from 30% to 62%. The test also presented the potential of reducing infections passed from mother to child by about 40%.

Dr. Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit delivered a p...
07/08/2025

Dr. Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit delivered a presentation titled “Balancing Empathy with Authority in Health Regulation: Impact on Patient Care.” at the 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa - AMCOA, held from July 27–31 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala.

She recommended creating confidential, non-punitive fitness assessments for health workers and investing in systems that balance protection with support.
Dr. Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu stated that shifting from punitive to more rehabilitative and compassionate frameworks is essential for improving patient care and supporting healthcare professionals.

The 5 day conference brought together health regulators, policy makers and medical professionals from across the continent who convened to reimagine regulatory practice under the theme “Regulator 2.0: The Balanced Approach.”

A landmark study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has identified a new subtype of type 1 diabetes in Afr...
24/07/2025

A landmark study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has identified a new subtype of type 1 diabetes in African youth across sub-Saharan Africa, one that lacks the usual autoimmune and genetic risk markers.

Led by the YODA Study team in Uganda, Cameroon, and South Africa, and supported by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and international partners, the findings raise critical concerns around misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment in African settings.

Discover what this means for clinical care, research, and global health equity here: https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/units/mrc-uganda/news/465101/new-form-type-1-diabetes-identified-african-youth-landmark-study-reveals

We are excited to announce our new collaboration with Roche African Genomics Program (AGP), focused on strengthening gen...
22/07/2025

We are excited to announce our new collaboration with Roche African Genomics Program (AGP), focused on strengthening genomic research across the continent through the Medical Research Council-AGP grant.

This partnership will expand access to cutting edge high-performance computing technology at the Unit’s Uganda Medical Informatics Centre (UMIC) and fuel the next generation of African bioinformatics leaders through targeted capacity building and postdoctoral support.

As part of this commitment, we are looking for an Assistant Professor to coordinate this exciting work. This role will be key in shaping bioinformatics research, overseeing workflows at UMIC, mentoring emerging African scientists, and driving innovation in genomics.

Are you passionate about advancing genomic research in Africa and strengthening bioinformatics capacity? Apply by 30 July 2025.

For more information: http://bit.ly/44KBj2p
Learn more about UMIC: https://lnkd.in/dhhQQRXy

Researchers on the COVVAR study engaged healthcare stakeholders at the Unit to share new findings on the effectiveness o...
09/07/2025

Researchers on the COVVAR study engaged healthcare stakeholders at the Unit to share new findings on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in real-world African settings.

The study showed that COVID-19 vaccination reduced symptomatic infections by 50%, particularly among individuals who received their last dose within the past 12 months. Despite this, only 19.2% of participants were fully vaccinated, with frontline healthcare workers reporting the highest uptake.

These results raise the need to broaden vaccine awareness efforts beyond the healthcare sector and improve access in rural and underserved communities. Strengthening these areas is key to increasing protection and enhancing preparedness for future outbreaks.

Read more here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39772170/

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