Approved Research This page provides a searchable list of all research protocols that have been reviewed and approved by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology(UNCST).
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Name Title Nationality Approval Date Expiry Date Field of Science/Classification Trial Type Research Type  
Emmanuel Wegoye
ID: UNCST-2024-R003214
Neurocognitive Outcomes and Changes in Brain and Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) Volume after Treatment of Post-Infectious Hydrocephalus (PIH) in Ugandan Infants by Shunting versus Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy/Choroid Plexus Cauterization (ETV/CPC)
REFNo: HS7254ES

We propose to: 1) Develop and empower CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda as a unique hydrocephalus research center in the developing world 2) Test the hypothesis that ETV/CPC is superior to shunt-dependence in regard to treatment failure at 10 years; 3) Determine whether our initial finding of neurodevelopmental non-inferiority for ETV/CPC at 12 months is durable to the critical time of 10-years follow up; 4) Determine whether our initial finding of non-inferiority in brain growth for ETV/CPC at 12 months holds true at 10-years of follow up
Uganda 2026-04-15 22:23:51 2029-04-15 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Innocent Mwaka
ID: UNCST-2026-R023653
Action Research for the Gender for Development Uganda (G4DU) Programme
REFNo: SS4991ES

3. STUDY CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES
Given the critical role of UNICEF in addressing gender imbalances in education, this multiyear action research aims at generating actionable evidence and fostering continuous learning for the enhancement of the G4DU Program’s financial support models and AEP. This iterative research will serve as a critical feedback loop, informing UNICEF's adaptive programming and policy advocacy efforts. The research will target students, headteachers, parents and district education departments. The study will be conducted over a period of 2-3 months annually , to allow for implementation of the intervention and observation of its effects. Being ongoing research, it will focus on the implementation phase of the programme from 2025-2028. The research will be conducted in four of the seven districts, namely: Yumbe, Adjumani, Lamwo, and Kitgum, focusing on selected schools and households .
Objectives of the action research:
1. To explore the effectiveness of newly developed and tested models of:
 Performance-based school grants for girls’ retention and completion of primary education.
 Cash transfer to households aiming at adolescent transitioning to and retention in secondary education.

2. To assess the effectiveness of the AEP model targeting out-of-school adolescents towards improving alternative access, accelerated pathways to primary education and transition into formal schools (primary and secondary schools).
3. To assess the relevance, efficiency, and sustainability of G4DU interventions in reducing barriers to education for vulnerable adolescent girls.
4. Determine the effect of school-level planning, local government capacity strengthening and community engagement, towards improving participation, retention and transition of girls.
5. Identify lessons learned from the implementation of financial support models and complementary activities and provide recommendations for programme adaptation and policy influencing.

The insights gained from these objectives will provide UNICEF and its partners with a robust evidence base to refine existing interventions, scale up successful approaches, and advocate for policies that institutionalise effective strategies for inclusive education in Uganda.

Uganda 2026-04-15 21:38:10 2029-04-15 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Michael Timuzigu Kamugisha
ID:
Employability among University Graduates in Uganda
REFNo: SS5079ES

To examine the relationship between entrepreneurial alertness and employability. To establish the relationship between lifelong learning and employability. To investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial alertness and career adaptability. To establish the relationship between lifelong learning and career adaptability. To examine the relationship between career adaptability and employability. To investigate the mediating role of career adaptability in the relationship between entrepreneurial alertness and employability. To examine the mediation role of career adaptability in the relationship between lifelong learning and employability.
Uganda 2026-04-14 16:50:46 2029-04-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Denis Kibira
ID: UNCST-2026-R023858
Measuring Prices, Availability & Affordability of Essential Sexual & Reproductive Health Commodities.
REFNo: HS7361ES

Main Objective 1. To generate reliable information on the price, availability and affordability of selected commodities in the SRH supply chain in Uganda, with the ultimate goal of improving access to affordable SRHCs to all. Specific Objectives 1. To assess the availability of Sexual and Reproductive Health Commodities among health facilities in the six major regions of Uganda 2. To determine the prices people pay for Sexual and Reproductive Health Commodities among Private health facilities in the six major regions of Uganda 3. To investigate the affordability of Sexual and Reproductive Health Commodities among Private health facilities in the six major regions of Uganda 4. To explore the main barriers of access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Commodities in the six major regions of Uganda.
Uganda 2026-04-14 16:47:17 2029-04-14 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Zachary kuloszewski
ID: UNCST-2026-R024610
The Impact of Labour Sharing on Workers’ Welfare and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Urban Settings: Evidence from Uganda
REFNo: SS5081ES

1. Identify the labour market frictions and conditions which incentivize participation in labour sharing agreements/hiring from competitor firms.
a. Analyse the role of firm networks as an alternative screening mechanism for skilled workers and insurance mechanism against demand volatility
b. Investigate the ways in which firms structure these network arrangements to ensure incentive compatibility and reciprocity
2. Examine the relationship between labour sharing, firm productivity and growth and workers’ welfare outcomes
a. Examine the relationship between labour sharing and firm growth outcomes, including revenues, profits, employment levels, and assets
b. Examine the relationship between labour sharing networks and total worker earnings, skill acquisition, reservation wages, and aspirations
3. Make policy recommendations.
a. Compute the return on investment for hypothetical implementation of active labour market policies such as skill certification or subsidized search for firms
b. Give recommendations to inform policy to encourage hiring by SMEs.

USA 2026-04-14 16:45:21 2029-04-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
AMANDA KISAAMO
ID: UNCST-2025-R022165
PREVALENCE, PATTERNS OF PRESENTATION AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DELAY AMONG CHILDREN AGED 2-59 MONTHS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA.
REFNo: HS7389ES

• To determine the prevalence of neurodevelopmental delay in children aged 2–59 months with CHD in South Western Uganda.
• To describe patterns of presentation of neurodevelopmental delay in children aged 2–59months with CHD in South Western Uganda.
• To identify the factors associated with neurodevelopmental delay among children aged 2–59 months with CHD in South Western Uganda.

Uganda 2026-04-14 16:42:18 2029-04-14 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
RONALD WALOZI
ID: UNCST-2025-R021569
OPTIMIZATION OF THE CHEMICAL TREATMENT PROCESS FOR RICE HUSK-PINE SAWDUST HETEROGENEOUS BRIQUETTES TO IMPROVE COMBUSTION EFFICIENCY
REFNo: SIR635ES

This study aims to enhance combustion efficiency by optimizing the chemical treatment processes for heterogeneous briquettes using Response Surface Methodology.
The specific objectives of the study are:-
i. To formulate and characterize heterogeneous briquettes in different ratios of pine sawdust and rice husks to determine the one with the best efficiency
ii. To carry out chemical treatment on the identified heterogeneous briquettes using varying acid types and concentrations
iii. To investigate the effect of chemical treatment on the heterogeneous briquettes’ thermal, emission, mechanical, and chemical properties
iv. To optimize the chemical treatment process for the enhancement of combustion efficiency
v. To develop a combustion kinetics analytical model for heterogeneous briquettes
Uganda 2026-04-14 16:38:54 2029-04-14 Engineering and Technology Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Mugyenyi Edison
ID: UNCST-2026-R023282
INTEGRATION OF DISABILITY-RELATED COMPETENCES IN BACHELOR OF EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR STUDENT TEACHERS’ PROFICIENCY IN SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN UGANDA
REFNo: SS4915ES

Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this mixed methods study is to assess the integration of disability-related competencies in Bachelor of Education programmes at selected universities in Uganda and to examine how this integration influences student teachers’ proficiency, with particular attention to the mediating roles of infrastructure and resources, as well as curriculum content and design, and the moderating effect of lecturer preparedness.
Objectives of the Study
1. To examine the relationship between the integration of disability-related competences and student teachers’ proficiency.
2. To explore how the availability and adequacy of infrastructure and resources mediate the relationship between the integration of disability-related competencies and student teachers’ proficiency.
3. To examine the extent to which curriculum content and design mediate the relationship between the integration of disability-related competencies and student teachers’ proficiency.
4. To evaluate the moderating effect of lecturer preparedness on the relationship between the integration of disability-related competences and student teachers’ proficiency.
5. To examine the combined influence of infrastructure and resources, as well as curriculum design and content, on student teachers’ proficiency in disability-related competencies.
6. To identify the challenges faced in integrating disability-related competences into Bachelor of Education programs.
7. To explore practical strategies for enhancing the proficiency of student teachers in disability related competencies.

Uganda 2026-04-14 16:35:09 2029-04-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Francis Ogwal Sabino Meri
ID: UNCST-2025-R016794
EVALUATION OF BIODIVERSITY OFFSET IMPLEMENTATION AND NET GAIN IN SELECTED LAKE VICTORIA RANGE NATURAL FORESTS IN UGANDA
REFNo: NS1060ES

1. To examine the policy and regulatory framework that underpin biodiversity offset design and implementation.

2. To examine the criteria considered in the design and implementation of biodiversity offset for the power transmission lines in Gangu and Mabira forest reserves

3. To evaluate net gain of the biodiversity offset for the power transmission lines in Gangu and Mabira natural forest reserves

Uganda 2026-04-14 16:33:10 2029-04-14 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Francis Matovu
ID: UNCST-2026-R023956
Community Participation and Sustainability of Government Program in Uganda. A case of Youth livelihood program in Kiboga District.
REFNo: SS5123ES

To examine how program design can influence sustainability of youth livelihood program in Kiboga District

To examine the relationship between program implementation and sustainability of youth livelihood program in Kiboga District.

To analyze the relationship between program monitoring and evaluation and sustainability of youth livelihood program in Kiboga District.

To evaluate the mediating effect of government policy on the relationship between community participation and sustainability of government programs
Uganda 2026-04-14 15:52:14 2029-04-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Immaculate  Nankya Lillian
ID: UNCST-2020-R014784
Assessment of response to antiretroviral therapy and prevalence of Dolutegravir-associated drug resistance among HIV patients on the National Treatment Program
REFNo: HS7262ES

1. To compare the rates of viral suppression between an NNRTI-based regimen and a DTG-based regimen
2. To assess the rates of DTG-associated failures over time
3. To assess the major mutational pathways conferring resistance to DTG among subtypes A and D.

Uganda 2026-04-10 19:19:30 2029-04-10 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Beingana  Kenneth Muntu
ID: UNCST-2025-R019659
Institutional Support, Career self efficacy and employability of University graduates in South-Western Uganda
REFNo: SS5061ES

To assess the of institutional support to graduate employability in Southwestern Uganda

To analyze the role of career self efficacy in shaping graduates employability outcomes in Southwestern Uganda

To examine the influence of gender on the relationship between institutional support, career self efficacy and graduate employability in Southwestern Uganda

To investigate the moderating effect of career self efficacy on the relationship between institutional support and graduate employability in Southwestern Uganda
Uganda 2026-04-10 19:18:40 2029-04-10 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Hassan Mulema
ID: UNCST-2020-R014061
Assessing Community Knowledge, Client Satisfaction, and Effective Communication Strategies for Cervical Cancer Prevention among the CANCAP communities in Uganda.
REFNo: HS7384ES

Main Objective
To assess community knowledge, client satisfaction, and communication strategies for cervical cancer prevention in Uganda.

Specific Objectives
1. To determine the level of knowledge and associated factors among community members regarding cervical cancer, its risk factors, and prevention strategies.
2. To examine the client satisfaction with cervical cancer screening services.
3. To explore the effectiveness of various communication and awareness channels used under the National Cancer Management and Capacity Building Project.

Uganda 2026-04-10 19:17:23 2029-04-10 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Francis Matovu
ID: UNCST-2026-R023956
community participation and sustainability of government programs in Uganda. A case of youth livelihood program in Kiboga District.
REFNo: SS5069ES

To examine the relationship between program design and sustainability of youth livelihood program in Kiboga District

To analyze the relationship between program implementation and sustainability of youth livelihood program in Kiboga District.

To determine the relationship between program monitoring and evaluation and sustainability of youth livelihood program in Kiboga District.
Uganda 2026-04-10 19:16:05 2029-04-10 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Fred Ariho
ID: UNCST-2025-R022515
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Low Completion Rates of Eight Antenatal Care Visits Among Postpartum Women in Buhweju District, Uganda
REFNo: HS7381ES

1. To determine the proportion of mothers who attended eight antenatal care visits among postpartum women in Buhweju District, Uganda. 2. To examine women related factors associated with low completion rates of eight antenatal care visits among postpartum women in Buhweju District, Uganda 3. To establish the interpersonal factors contributing to low completion rates of eight antenatal care visits among postpartum women in Buhweju District, Uganda 4. To examine institutional factors influencing the low completion rates of eight antenatal care visits among postpartum women in Buhweju District, Uganda
Uganda 2026-04-10 19:15:07 2029-04-10 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Robert Mboizi Baldwin
ID: UNCST-2020-R014356
Field performance of the Global Alignment of Immunization Safety Assessment in Pregnancy (GAIA) Maternal and Neonatal Outcome Case Definitions for the Evaluation of Adverse Events in pregnancy in clinical trials in low resource settings.
REFNo: HS7349ES

1. To assess the applicability of the GAIA case definitions for adverse events in maternal immunisation trials conducted in Uganda. 2. Determine the highest level of diagnostic level of certainty for each GAIA case definition. 3. To assess the limitations of the GAIA case definitions for adverse events in maternal immunisation trials conducted in Uganda.
Uganda 2026-04-10 19:13:33 2029-04-10 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Peterson Kikomeko Kato
ID: UNCST-2019-R000881
Reassessing Mid-Upper Arm Circumference as a Predictor of Nutritional Status and Pregnancy Outcomes among Pregnant Adolescents in Bundibugyo District, Uganda
REFNo: HS7233ES

i. To determine maternal hemoglobin status during pregnancy, MUAC across gestation, and gestational weight gain among pregnant adolescents and adult women attending ANC in Bundibugyo District, Uganda. ii. To determine the rate of increase in MUAC and compare MUAC trajectories between pregnant adolescents and adult women across gestational stages among those attending ANC in Bundibugyo District, Uganda. iii. To examine dietary intake patterns and their association with MUAC, gestational weight gain, and maternal hemoglobin status among pregnant adolescents and adult women attending ANC in Bundibugyo District, Uganda. iv. To determine optimal MUAC cut-off points for identifying undernutrition risk among pregnant adolescents attending ANC in Bundibugyo District, Uganda at different gestational stages. v. To evaluate associations of MUAC levels, rate of MUAC increase, gestational weight gain, and maternal hemoglobin status with key pregnancy outcomes (birthweight, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age status, and maternal complications) among pregnant adolescents and adult women attending ANC in Bundibugyo District, Uganda. vi. To explore health workers’ and stakeholders’ perceptions, practices, and challenges regarding the use of MUAC for assessing maternal nutrition among pregnant adolescents and adult women, to contextualize and triangulate the quantitative findings.
Uganda 2026-04-10 19:12:34 2029-04-10 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Susan Lamunu Shereni
ID: UNCST-2025-R022324
Assessment and development of infectious diseases institute environment, social, and governance strategy, policy, and net zero roadmap
REFNo: SS5056ES

To assess and develop a comprehensive sustainability framework for the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) that strengthens institutional resilience, compliance, and accountability in alignment with local and international standards.1. To identify sustainability risks, gaps, opportunities, and strengths relative to Ugandan legal requirements, funder expectations, and international standards (e.g., GRI, IFRS, SDGs). 2. To map and engage key internal and external stakeholders to understand sustainability priorities, perceptions, and expectations of IDI’s sustainability performance. 3. To evaluate IDI’s environmental impact, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, waste management, and resource utilisation. 4. To develop an institutional sustainability strategy, policy, and implementation roadmap. 5. To develop a Net Zero plan and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) matrix. 6. To develop an Environmental Aspects and Impacts Register to guide ongoing environmental management and compliance.
Uganda 2026-04-10 19:10:56 2029-04-10 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Ponsiano Ocama
ID: UNCST-2019-R000440
Hepatitis B and HIV Cure Consortium (BICC): A Multi-Country Prospective Observational Cohort of People with HIV and Hepatitis B (PWHHB) and People with HBV (PWHB)
REFNo: HS7337ES

The primary objective of this protocol is to establish a multi-country prospective observational cohort of people with HIV and Hepatitis B virus (PWHHB) and people with HBV (PWHB) to establish a repository of data and specimens to accelerate HBV cure research.
Uganda 2026-04-10 19:09:27 2029-04-10 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Deogratius Ssemwanga
ID: UNCST-2025-R021563
Pathogen Genomics in Community and Aircraft Wastewater for Outbreak Preparedness and Response in Uganda
REFNo: HS7430ES


The main objective is to establish an integrated wastewater-based surveillance system using NGS and AI-based machine learning (ML) models to detect, monitor and predict the spread of pathogens of public health importance and AMR in Uganda.
To characterize the diversity and temporal patterns of pathogens present
in wastewater collected from community, abattoir and aircraft sources
over a 12-month period.
ii. To detect and profile AMR genes in wastewater samples.
iii. To develop and validate AI-based analytical pipelines for processing,
interpretation, and forecasting infectious disease trends in Uganda over
the study period.
iv. To track seasonal trends in circulating pathogens and AMR genes by
integrating genomic data with epidemiological and clinical data
v. To develop and validate an optimized long-read mNGS pipeline using the
Oxford Nanopore MinION platform for detection and characterization of
pathogens and associated AMR in wastewater samples collected from
community and aircraft sources in Uganda.
Uganda 2026-04-10 19:07:13 2029-04-10 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
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