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  
ISMAHIL ADENIYI ADEKUNLE
ID: UNCST-2024-R002602
 EFFECTS OF ETHYL-ACETATE FRACTION OF Bidens pilosa LEAVES ON TESTES AND PITUITARY GLAND OF MALE MICE EXPOSED TO BISPHENOL A
REFNo: HS5372ES

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of B. pilosa on testicular integrity and the pituitary gland of male mice exposed to BPA.
1.3.1 Specific Objectives
i. To assess the effect of B. Pilosa on spermatogenic metrics of the testes such as sperm motility, sperm count, morphology, agglutination, and vitality using routine and extended semen analysis.
ii. To determine the impact of B. pilosa on serum concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) following BPA exposure.
iii. To assess the changes in testicular oxidative stress biomarkers (such as CAT, SOD, and GSH) and lipid peroxidation using MDA.
iv. To assess the histology, histochemical, and immunohistochemical changes in the testes and pituitary gland following treatment with B. pilosa in BPA exposure using Masson Trichrome, Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Caspase 3, antiproliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl-2, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Bax.

 Nigeria 2025-03-03 11:40:21 2028-03-03 Medical and Health Sciences Clinical Trial Degree Award
Agapitus Kato Babumba
ID: UNCST-2021-R013866
 Linking infectious disease front-liners control efforts with central public health authorities in the African Great Lakes region (Great-Life) project
REFNo: HS5293ES

Study Objectives: The study objectives and their specific objectives are outlined in A to D below. OBJECTIVE A – CAPACITY BUILDING This objective involves testing the integrated nanopore sequencing capacity (DNA and RNA—single isolates and metagenomics) in the study area. Specific objectives: ● Set -up sampling, sequencing, and simple bioinformatic/epidemiological capacity in Bidibidi Health Centre. ● Set up advanced bioinformatics/ epidemiological capacity at UVRI and cascade it to the study area health facilities ● Build capacity in genomic data interpretation and risk communication in genomic epidemiology. OBJECTIVE B - BIOINFORMATICS, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE This objective involves the testing of standardized laptop analysis and compression of the data generated from nanopore runs, including base calling and standard analysis for use at the frontline health facility (Bidibidi HC III). Following analysis, the analytic data (now the size of kilobytes) can be easily and in real-time shared with stakeholders. Specific objectives: ● Develop a common understanding of the key data analytics and infrastructure needs. ● Set up a project-specific frontline laptop-based data-entering and bioinformatic pipeline. ● Set up a central data portal for storing, aggregating, and sharing raw data and analytic output. ● Provide operational user support to the use-case scenarios and external users ● Support high-throughput computation capacity OBJECTIVE C – TRAINING IN RESEARCH TRANSLATION SKILLS, AND EQUITABLE PARTNERSHIP One of the key elements of this project is to generate data that should be transformed into information that will result in public health actions and social impact in the country. The project will involve key stakeholders from the health facility and local and central governments to meet this goal. The stakeholders will be trained in research data interpretation and utilization. The stakeholders will use the training obtained from this project to develop measures and policies. Specific objectives: ● Conduct training of public health authorities and researchers in public health uptake of genomic epidemiological data ● Determine how obtained data will result in local and national guidelines for individual patient treatment ● Determine how data will influence local, national, and regional public health interventions ● Investigate how cross-border disease outbreaks can be coordinated between national and regional authorities OBJECTIVE D - EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND GENOMIC INVESTIGATIONS The objectives will be fulfilled by conducting three use cases ● Real-time diagnostic and characterization of diarrheal and persistent malaria cases ● Environmental surveillance for antimicrobial resistance genes in the study area. ● Horizon scanning for pathogens of novel unknown infections of epidemic nature (Disease X identification)
Uganda 2025-02-28 17:30:31 2028-02-28 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Karim Nanyiri
ID: UNCST-2024-R002952
 Role of Mother Tongue in Learning Productive and Receptive Skills in English language: An Analysis of Perceptions of Stakeholders in Secondary Schools of Bugisu Sub-Region, Eastern Uganda
REFNo: SS3393ES

Objectives of the Study

The study will be guided by the main objective and specific objectives.

Main Objective of the Study

The main objective of the study is to investigate the role of mother tongue in learning productive and receptive skills in English language through the analysis of perceptions of stakeholders in secondary schools of Bugisu sub-region, eastern Uganda.

Specific Objectives of the Study

The study will be conducted with the following specific objectives;

1. To determine the influence of students’ productive skills in mother tongue on the learning of productive skills in English language.
2. To determine the influence of students’ receptive skills in mother tongue on the learning of receptive skills in English language.
3. To explore students’ perception of the role of mother tongue in learning productive skills in English language.
4. To explore students’ perception of the role of mother tongue in learning receptive skills in English language.
5. To explore teachers’ perception of the role of mother tongue in learning productive skills in English language.
6. To explore teachers’ perception of the role of mother tongue in learning receptive skills in English language.
7. To explore the barriers encountered by lower secondary school students in the learning of productive and receptive skills in English language.

Uganda 2025-02-28 16:02:44 2028-02-28 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Jennifer Serwanga
ID: UNCST-2024-R002056
 Molecular, Serological and Immunological Characterisation of Clade 1b Mpox to Improve Diagnostics for Local and Regional Epidemic Response.
REFNo: NS934ES

1. Genetic and Immunological Characterisation of Mpox Clade 1b: To characterise the genetic profile and immunological responses associated with the Clade 1b Mpox virus circulating in Uganda and neighbouring high-risk regions. This objective seeks to identify the molecular adaptations and immune response profiles associated with the virus's transmission dynamics and its ability to evade immunity, a critical component in understanding the virus’s spread.
2. Establish Molecular Linkage and Epidemiologic Pathways for Targeted
Interventions: To utilise molecular linkage studies to map transmission chains and epidemiologic pathways of Mpox Clade 1b within and across Uganda, the DRC, Burundi, and South Sudan. This objective will pinpoint high-risk transmission clusters and guide targeted public health interventions, particularly in vulnerable communities such as border regions and fishing populations.
3. Correlating Viral Load with Antibody Dynamics in Clade 1b Cases and Contacts:To comprehensively analyse viral load dynamics across multiple body compartments in Mpox-infected individuals and correlate these findings with IgM, IgG and IgA antibody responses, including both binding and neutralising antibodies. This investigation aims to elucidate the predictive value of antibody kinetics in Clade 1b Mpox infections, including in cases with low or undetectable viral loads. By integrating virological and immunological parameters, this study will enhance our
understanding of host-virus interactions, inform diagnostic sensitivity thresholds, and provide critical insights into the immunopathogenesis of Clade 1b Mpox.
4. Optimisation of Diagnostic Tools for Regional Mpox Response: To optimise, and validate advanced diagnostic methods, integrating molecular and serological tools tailored to Mpox Clade 1b. By leveraging UVRI's Mpox sample repository, this objective will enhance the diagnostic accuracy and timeliness essential for immediate outbreak containment, enabling Uganda and partner nations to identify cases and reduce transmission risk rapidly.
5. Facilitate Global Access to Clade 1b Resources for Vaccine and Diagnostic Development: To enhance global Mpox preparedness, this study will share well-characterized Clade 1b specimens with trusted international collaborating research partners, including World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), after putting in place all necessary material transfer agreements ironing outall policicies and legal issues concerning sample sharing.
These specimens will support the development of standardized reference panels for molecular and serological diagnostics, assay comparability, and the establishment of anti-Mpox reference materials to strengthen global surveillance and response efforts.
This objective aims to support global efforts in vaccine development and diagnostic advancements by providing access to Clade 1b isolates, thereby fostering robust Mpox response capacity worldwide and contributing substantially to epidemic containment.
6. Strengthening Regional Preparedness through Strategic Collaboration: To promote a coordinated Mpox surveillance network with neighbouring countries (DRC, Burundi, and South Sudan) for improved outbreak detection, data sharing, and joint response strategies. This objective aligns with regional health security goals and strengthens collaborative frameworks to combat the Mpox epidemic more effectively across East and Central Africa.
 Uganda 2025-02-25 18:19:08 2028-02-25 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Achilles Katamba
ID: UNCST-2019-R000540
 RE-IMAGINING TB CARE: TRANSFORMING WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TB SERVICES ARE ACCESSED AND DELIVERED IN UGANDA
REFNo: HS5570ES

Main Objective
1. To evaluate the effectiveness, implementation and cost of an Intervention strategy to improve Tuberculosis community awareness, screening, testing and linkage to care for TB and comorbidities
Specific Objectives
1. Develop a digital and AI-based strategy (intervention strategy) to enhance CHWs capacity to conduct community awareness, screening, testing and linkage to care for TB and other co- morbidities
2. Determine whether an intervention strategy improves awareness, screening, testing, and linkage to care for TB and other comorbidities
3. Evaluate reach, adoption and implementation of the Intervention strategy
4. Evaluate the incremental costs, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness associated with the Intervention strategy as compared to the Standard of care strategy from the health systems and participant perspectives
 Uganda 2025-02-24 12:02:35 2028-02-24 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Jakyoung Lee
ID: UNCST-2024-R016191
 The Evaluation of the Capacity Building for Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Central Region of Uganda
REFNo: HS5548ES

● Assess progress relative to the project plan and suggest improvements in project execution. ● Establish strategies to enhance the quality of health worker training, community health activities, and other related actions. ● Review and adjust performance indicators based on the Project Design Matrix (PDM) and develop new key performance indicators. ● Formulate an exit strategy from a health system strengthening perspective to enhance the project's sustainability and effectiveness
South Korea 2025-02-20 18:53:36 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Nazarius Tumwesigye Mbona
ID: UNCST-2019-R000664
 COBIHA- A COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION AGAINST HARMFUL USE OF ALCOHOL IN A RURAL SETTING: A pilot study around lake Bunyonyi in Kigezi, Uganda
REFNo: HS5521ES

2.To explore reasons for harmful use of alcohol, and perceptions on effective and acceptable ways of reducing this.,1.To conduct a pilot survey to establish the level of harmful use of alcohol and factors associated with the behaviour , to fill the evidence gap on effective community interventions, the current burden of harmful use of alcohol, and community perceptions of the burden of harmful alcohol use in rural Uganda,
 Uganda 2025-02-20 18:51:21 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Alfred Jatho
ID: UNCST-2021-R011710
 A Focus on Breast Cancer: Decentralizing Breast Cancer Early Detection through addressing barriers to accessing timely and quality care in Uganda and Zambia
REFNo: HS5551ES

How effective is the developed generic breast cancer training package in equipping
Primary and Community Health Workers with knowledge and skills to train, handle and
refer cases of Breast cancer in Arua and Mbarara health regions?
2. How effective is support supervision and mentorship towards improving the quality of
breast cancer services at primary and community health level?
3. What is the level of awareness and practice of breast self-examination by women
attending HFs in Mbarara and Arua health regions?
4. What is the association between breast cancer screening knowledge and practices of
women attending health facilities ?
 Uganda 2025-02-20 18:31:56 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Charlotte Bednarski Marie
ID: UNCST-2024-R003417
 Transnational networks of care: international NGO management in Iganga, Uganda
REFNo: SS3628ES

PhD pre-dissertation research
 USA 2025-02-20 18:29:52 2028-02-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
KOBUSIINGYE FLORAH
ID: UNCST-2024-R001996
 A MOBILE TEACHING-LEARNING FRAMEWORK FOR BRIDGING THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION GAP IN RESOURCE CONSTRAINED AREAS. A CASE STUDY OF KIGEZI SUB-REGION
REFNo: SIR464ES

Main Objective -To produce a comprehensive teaching-learning framework aimed at reducing the agricultural extension gap in the Kigezi region.

specific objectives
1. To evaluate current agricultural extension frameworks, identifying their strengths and weaknesses.
2. To design a mobile application framework that facilitates access to information, skills, and technology for farmers, extension officers, and other value chain actors.
3. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the developed mobile agricultural extension application among farmers, extension officers, and other value chain actors.
 Uganda 2025-02-20 18:27:15 2028-02-20 Engineering and Technology Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
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