Article Category:
Short Report

Partnership to Develop an Inter-Disciplinary Schistosomiasis Research Training Program in Uganda

Damalie Nakanjako Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda;
Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom;

Search for other papers by Damalie Nakanjako in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Moses Egesa Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom;
Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda;
Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda;

Search for other papers by Moses Egesa in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Helen Byakwaga Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda;
Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda;

Search for other papers by Helen Byakwaga in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Casim Umba Tolo Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda;

Search for other papers by Casim Umba Tolo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Anatol Maranda Byaruhanga Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda

Search for other papers by Anatol Maranda Byaruhanga in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Prudence Beinamaryo Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda

Search for other papers by Prudence Beinamaryo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Grace Banturaki Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda;

Search for other papers by Grace Banturaki in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Lydia Nakiyingi Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda;

Search for other papers by Lydia Nakiyingi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Ponsiano Ocama Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda;

Search for other papers by Ponsiano Ocama in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Moses R. Kamya Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda;

Search for other papers by Moses R. Kamya in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Alison M. Elliott Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda;
Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda;

Search for other papers by Alison M. Elliott in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.24-0645
Volume/Issue:
Ahead of Print
Open access
Get Permissions

The WHO 2021–2030 roadmap for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and the 2022 Kigali Declaration urge academic research institutions to unite in combating NTDs, including schistosomiasis, and emphasize the importance of strategic partnerships to free more than 1 billion people who require interventions against NTDs. We conducted stakeholder meetings to understand the landscape of schistosomiasis research training in Uganda and the existing collaborations with research institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In focus group discussions (involving 33 individuals from four institutions), key challenges were summarized into four emerging themes: 1) limited physical infrastructure for schistosomiasis research and training, 2) a low critical mass of scientists with competencies in schistosomiasis research, 3) a limited scope of current schistosomiasis research, and 4) limited advocacy and community engagement for schistosomiasis control. National and international partnerships, as well as partnerships between academics and implementers, should be harnessed to establish a vibrant network for schistosomiasis research training in resource-limited settings where the disease remains endemic.

Author Notes

Financial support: Research reported in this publication was supported by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number D71 TW12564. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or the Government of Uganda.

Disclosure: All participants provided written informed consent to participate, and the study was approved by the School of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.

Current contact information: Damalie Nakanjako, Lydia Nakiyingi, Poniano Ocama, and Moses R. Kamya, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda, E-mails: dnakanjako@gmail.com, lydiakiyingi@gmail.com, ponsiano.ocama@gmail.com, and mkamya@infocom.co.ug. Moses Egesa and Alison Elliott, Uganda Virus Research Institute and Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda, E-mails: moses.egesa@uvri.go.ug and alison.elliott@lshtm.ac.uk. Helen Byakwaga and Casim Umba Tolo, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda, E-mails: hbyakwaga@gmail.com and tolocas@must.ac.ug. Anatol Maranda Byaruhanga, Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda, E-mail: marandaanatol@gmail.com. Grace Banturaki, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda, E-mail: bantukakondo@gmail.com.

Address correspondence to Damalie Nakanjako, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: dnakanjako@gmail.com
Copyright:
© The author(s) 2025
Received:
26 Sep 2024
|
Accepted:
08 Jan 2025
|
Published Online:
22 Apr 2025
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 71 71 71
PDF Downloads 60 60 60
 

 

 

 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save