Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Uganda

28/08/2025

IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE: Refurbishment has officially begun at Nakaseke Hospital laboratory!

The hospital administration and district leadership officially handed over the laboratory to the contractor. The construction, spearheaded by Baylor Foundation Uganda with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a major step towards preparing the laboratory for international accreditation in line with ISO 15189:2022. This is under Uganda’s Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) strengthening efforts.

We are proud of the twenty-two out of 27 laboratories supported by the Baylor Foundation Uganda that have achieved and sustained their international accreditation. Nakaseke Hospital laboratory is next!

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22/08/2025

BREAKING MYTHS, BUILDING TRUST: TAKING THE VACCINE MESSAGE TO THE GRASSROOTS TO SAVE LIVES

Baylor Foundation Uganda, in partnership with PATH through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is engaging district leaders to dispel myths about vaccines and boost uptake across Kitagwenda, Kiryandongo, Kamwenge, Ntoroko, and Bunyangabu districts.

In Kiryandongo, we are working closely with local leaders and health educators to take the message to the grassroots and amplify it on radio.

Our goal is to empower communities with accurate information, inspire the right action, and protect the next generation from preventable diseases.

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21/08/2025

TACKLING THE SILENT EPIDEMIC: The Global Burden of Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) paper estimated that 1.27 million deaths per year were attributable to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in 2019. This means that AMR - when common medicines stop working against infections - is a leading contributor of global deaths; comparable to the number caused by HIV/AIDS and Malaria combined.

To expand and strengthen AMR surveillance in Uganda, Baylor Foundation Uganda in collaboration with the Ministry of Health- Uganda- Department of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services(NHLDS), Infectious Diseases Institute - Makerere University (IDI) and BD (Becton Dickinson and Company) supported the installation of a new BD BACTEC™ FX40 automated blood culture equipment at Tororo General Hospital and conducted hands-on training for laboratory personnel.

This is with support from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)’s Fleming Fund through UK Aid managed by Mott MacDonald.

The FX40 will improve efficiencies in blood culture ex*****on by enabling timely and accurate detection of antibiotic-resistant blood stream infections. This will ultimately improve patient outcomes through evidenced-based antibiotic therapy and help to save numerous lives.

30/07/2025

Africa is rewriting the story of childhood cancer—one specialist at a time. Baylor Foundation Uganda is proud to be part of this transformative journey, led by our key partner, Texas Children’s Global HOPE.

Today, Dr. Dithan Kiragga, Executive Director of Baylor Foundation Uganda, and Dr. Denise Birungi, Director of Medical Programmes, joined the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, for a landmark occasion. The event was held at the Makerere University Main Hall and brought together key partners, including Ministry of Health- Uganda, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Joint Clinical Research Centre Uganda and Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center team led by Dr. Joseph Lubega.

Also in attendance were representatives from development partners such as Sky-High Foundation, The ELMA Philanthropies, Lions Clubs International, and the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. Together, they witnessed the graduation of 16 Paediatric Hematology and Oncology fellows from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

25/07/2025

The 2025 Ebola virus disease outbreak may be behind us, but the stories of survival still echo with strength and resilience.

Over the next few weeks, we will share one story from survivors who lived through it—stories of resilience and hope.

Today, we journey with Mary - from fear to relief - as she experiences at a heart-warming reunion with her family after they overcame the virus together.

Mary Kemigisa, a farmer from Kyegegwa, quietly shares a story that many have not lived to tell. On 12th February, her two-week-old grandchild passed away—just days after she carried him to Karugutu Health Centre IV, unaware he had contracted the Sudan Ebola virus from his mother, whose funeral Mar...

25/07/2025

Yesterday, Dr. Dithan Kiragga (Our Executive Director)led the Baylor Foundation Uganda Global Health Security Program to join the Ministry of Health’s Ebola Accountability and Partners Forum. The Forum aimed to review Uganda’s successful outbreak response and to boost future preparedness.

We are proud to stand with the Ministry of Health- Uganda and other partners, and are grateful for the U.S. Government and UK aid support that helped us contribute to the end of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda.

Together, we protect lives and make the world a safer place to live.

22/07/2025

As we grow older, our bodies need more care. Don’t wait for pain or sickness. Go to the nearest health centre and get tested for both HIV and NCDs like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, or heart disease. Health workers are on the ground encouraging testing, treatment & follow-up—because early detection saves lives. 💪🏾Testing is free, private, and the first step to protecting your health.

15/07/2025

We are proud to be at the Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, showcasing Africa’s growing leadership in HIV vaccine research and pediatric HIV care.

Our presentations spotlighted:
• How investments in research and capacity building are positioning Africa for HIV vaccine development
• The complexities of treatment interruption in children
• Transitioning HIV care from childhood to adulthood
Together with global partners, we’re committed to ending HIV by 2030 — and there’s no turning back!

09/07/2025

When you are mentored by the best, you grow with purpose.

Dr. Angella Nanteza Mirembe of Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Uganda is on a transformative journey in global health research, thanks to the prestigious 2025–2026 .

Captured during the INSIGHT Scholars training in the U.S., Dr. Angella stands between global health leaders—Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (NIH Director) on the left and Dr. Peter Kilmarx (Fogarty International Center Director). She also interfaced with Prof. Anna Mandalakas, the INSIGHT PI (first on the left), Crystal Cazier (Program Manager), and fellow scholar David Thomas from the U.S. (BCM).

25/06/2025

Bududa General Hospital Achieves International Laboratory Accreditation!

After seven years of unwavering dedication, Bududa General Hospital in Bududa District has received its South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) Laboratory Accreditation Certificate — a major milestone in its journey toward international standards in diagnostics and quality healthcare.

We are proud to have been part of this journey in collaboration with the Ministry of Health- Uganda and with support from the U.S. government.

Congratulations to the hardworking lab team led by Alexander Mugume, Dr. WINNIE AKOBYE, Paul Solomon Okot, and Reuben Odieka for making this possible.

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24/06/2025

From June 18–21, 2025, we joined the Ministry of Health- Uganda, U.S. CDC, USAID Global Health, , and other key responders for the National Sudan Virus Disease After-Action Review.

Together, we assessed Uganda’s Ebola response—sharing lessons, challenges, and best practices. These insights will guide a stronger, faster national response to future outbreaks.