At the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, our research aims to contribute significantly to improved health nation-wide and worldwide. From influencing health policy and clinical practice to shaping local and global public health responses, we are committed to research that serves society. Our work is rooted in collaboration, community, and the conviction that research must translate into better lives.
- Research Making a Difference
Saving Newborn Lives- the OMwana Trial
The OMwana Trial provided vital evidence on how to reduce neonatal mortality in Uganda, offering practical strategies to improve newborn care in resource-limited settings.
Read moreIdentifying Childhood Asthma Risk Factors in Uganda
A study in Entebbe revealed a strong association between early childhood exposure to urban environments and asthma risk, pointing to urbanicity as a key determinant of respiratory health.
Read moreTackling Anemia in Vulnerable Populations
A study in southwestern Uganda introduced point-of-care testing and dried blood spot sampling to diagnose anemia in pregnant women, children, and lactating mothers, significantly improving early detection and treatment access.
Read moreResponding to Ebola with Community Solutions
During an Ebola outbreak, the Unit trained lay health workers to reduce stigma, support mental health, and link people to care, an approach that filled a crucial gap in community-based outbreak response.
Read moreGlobal Genomics Powered from Uganda
As a key contributor to a global genomics consortium, the Unit is helping diversify genetic research data and ensuring African populations are represented in biomedical discoveries of the future.
Read more
- Research with Transformative Potential
Addressing Mental Health with Molecular Science
Researchers are looking to identify key molecular changes associated with major depressive disorder, and lay the groundwork for new drug discovery opportunities for mental health in low-resource contexts.
Read moreLeading Vaccine Development for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)
Leveraging an adenovector platform developed during COVID-19, our researchers are advancing a vaccine for CCHF, an emerging threat in Africa, demonstrating the Unit’s role in outbreak preparedness.
Read moreInsights from the PrEPVacc HIV Vaccine Trial
Although the trial’s vaccine regimens did not reduce HIV infections, it generated crucial insights for future HIV prevention strategies and reinforced the importance of continuous innovation.
Read moreUnderstanding HIV Dynamics Among Fishing Communities
Research in Lake Victoria fishing communities explored how migration affects HIV transmission, informing more responsive, community-led prevention approaches.
Read moreReducing Cardiovascular Risk Through Family-Centred Approaches
The FaCe-D study is testing the power of family-based, community-led interventions to reduce heart disease risk among adolescents, aiming to slow the NCD crisis from the ground up.
Read more
For more on our research and its impact, visit our News & Updates page.