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  
Tayebwa Bamwenda James
ID: UNCST-2021-R012825
 SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS IMPLEMENTATION EFFECTIVENESS FOR HYDRO-POWER PROJECTS IN THE NILE BASIN: A CASE OF UGANDA.
REFNo: SS4172ES

1. To analyze the performance indicators of social safeguards for international frameworks on hydro-power projects, identifying implementation gaps at the national level.
2. To assess the implementation process of social safeguards of hydro-power projects in protecting communities, focusing on livelihood restoration, land use, and displacement.
3. To analyze the enabling and hindering factors affecting the implementation of social safeguards in hydro-power projects across the Nile Basin
4. To assess the community coping mechanisms with social safeguards and hydro-power projects in the Nile Basin

Uganda 2025-09-04 12:05:39 2028-09-04 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Ben Broomfield Stuart
ID: UNCST-2025-R017589
 Understanding the evolutionary divergence and adaptation of Afrotropic Aedes (Stegomyia) zoonotic disease vectors using de-novo genome assemblies and comparative genomics
REFNo: NS1002ES

Objective 1- Generate de novo genomes for target Aedes (Stegomyia) species using freshly collected material

Objective 2- Reconstruct demographic history of Aedes mosquitos in African forests

Objective 3- Identify genomic introgression, if any, between closely related Aedes species

Objective 4- Identify genomic regions involved in adaptive divergence between closely related Aedes species

 UK 2025-09-04 12:03:37 2028-09-04 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Emmanuel Kyasanku
ID: UNCST-2022-R009112
 Seroepidemiology of dengue and other arboviruses and socio-demographic factors associated with seropositvity in Wakiso and Hoima Districts, Uganda.
REFNo: HS6326ES

1. To establish dengue and other arbovirus sero prevalence rates, by antibody detection assays and virus neutralization testing among residents of rural and urban communities, in a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study in Wakiso and Hoima Districts, Uganda, from 2018 through 2024. 2. To establish socio-demographic factors associated with seropositivity, among residents of rural and urban communities in Wakiso and Hoima Districts from 2018 through 2024. 3. To estimate anti-dengue and anti-arbovirus antibodies seroconversion rates among residents of rural and urban communities in Wakiso and Hoima Districts from 2018 through 2024.
 Uganda 2025-09-04 11:45:58 2028-09-04 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Joanitah  Nalunjogi
ID: UNCST-2023-R008356
 Epidemiology of Household Energy use Burns in Selected Health Facilities in Uganda
REFNo: HS5879ES

1. To estimate the prevalence of household energy use burns in Jinja district, Uganda and factors associated.
2. To determine the relationship between the severity of burns and household energy sources used among patients managed at selected health facilities in Uganda.
3. To determine the factors associated with the eight-month physical, functional and mental outcomes of patients managed for household energy use burns in selected health facilities in Uganda.
4. To explore the experiences and perceptions of patients or caregivers on the causes, prevention and management of household energy use burns in Uganda

 Uganda 2025-09-03 5:14:06 2028-09-03 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Chris  Opesen C
ID: UNCST-2023-R006913
 Experiences of National Social Scientists in Outbreak Preparedness and Response in Uganda: Challenges and Opportunities for Participation"
REFNo: SS4003ES

1.3.1 General objective
The primary aim of this study is to understand the experiences of national social scientists in SSA and the challenges they have faced with integration during outbreak PPRR activities, with an aim to better integrating their expertise into future PPRR efforts and maximise the use of local human resources.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
The study’s specific objectives are:
To identify and map the challenges and opportunities for national social scientists’ participation in PPRR, with a particular focus on their experiences in the recent Ebola, COVID-19, Anthrax, Marburg, Cholera, Malaria and Mpox responses.
To collaborate with national social scientists in co-creating evidence, including success stories, that advocates for their increased involvement in outbreak PPRR efforts.
To identify opportunities for providing actionable recommendations that enhance the integration of national social scientists into future outbreak PPRR activities, both within their country’s emergency response framework and internationally within the GOARN.
To contribute to the ongoing decolonisation of global health by amplifying national social scientists’ voices and co-developing strategies that empower social scientists in LMICs.
 Uganda 2025-09-03 5:11:57 2028-09-03 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Ezekiel Mupere
ID: UNCST-2021-R012739
 Reducing short and long-term consequences of early stunted growth (MAGNUS-2).
REFNo: HS6274ES

To assess the associations between stunting and gut microbiota and function among 6-10-year-old previously stunted Ugandan children.,To assess the associations between stunting and growth, body composition, child development, haemoglobin, micronutrient status and organ size (liver, kidney, spleen) among 6-10-year-old previously stunted Ugandan children,To assess predictors of cardiometabolic risk markers among 6-10-year-old previously stunted Ugandan children,To assess the long-term effects of 3-months supplementation with large-quantity LNS among 1-5-year-old Ugandan stunted children on gut microbiota and function at age 6-10 years. ,To assess the long-term effects of 3-months supplementation with large-quantity LNS among 1-5-year-old Ugandan stunted children on growth, body composition, child development, haemoglobin, micronutrient status and organ size (liver, kidney, spleen) at age 6-10 years,To assess the association between stunting and cardiometabolic risk among 6-10-year-old Ugandan children,To assess the long term effects of 3-months supplementation with large-quantity LNS among 1-5-year old Ugandan stunted children on cardiometabolic risk markers at age 6-10 years.,To assess long-term effects of supplementation with large quantity LNS on child health,
 Uganda 2025-09-03 5:10:27 2028-09-03 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Scovia  Mbalinda Nalugo
ID: UNCST-2020-R014259
 Implementation of the International Guidelines for Skin-to-Skin in the First Hour After Birth: Expansion and Sustainability for a Ugandan Hospital in Masaka
REFNo: HS6282ES

To assess the impact of training and support regarding breastfeeding latch and infant feeding practices at around 6 weeks postpartum.,To assess the impact of a rapid change intervention with the staff on the the perineal tears and episiotomies during vaginal birth,To explore and understand the experience of the mothers who experience skin-to-skin contact after birth and their experience of breastfeeding in the postpartum period,To explore and understand the experience of the staff regarding the barriers and enablers to implementing breastfeeding assessment before discharge,To assess the breastfeeding latch and response to breast milk odour of the newborn before discharge with routine care in the first hour and after implementation of immediate, continuous SSC in the hospital,To explore and understand the experience of the staff regarding the barriers and enablers to implementing and sustaining the international guideline for skin-to-skin care in the first hour after birth, and the new recommendation of 90 minutes, and to identify and implement solutions,To understand the newborn\'s experience after birth, the practice change using video ethnography will be increased to 90 minutes and compared with current care practices following the initial introduction of immediate skin-to-skin contact.,To assess the long-term sustainability of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in the first hour after birth and within 90 minutes after both vaginal and cesarean section. ,To evaluate the implementation, sustainability, and impact of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in the first hour after birth and increase it for at least 90 minutes at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda, focusing on newborn outcomes, maternal experiences, perineal outcomes, healthcare staff perspectives, and its influence on breastfeeding practices,
 Uganda 2025-09-03 5:08:35 2028-09-03 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Jamon Van Den Hoek
ID: UNCST-2023-R006549
 Gauging Agricultural Land-Use Decisions and Boundaries in Refugee Settlements in Uganda
REFNo: SS4159ES

This project seeks to 1) collect information on factors that influence agricultural land use decisions in refugee settlements in Uganda, and 2) estimate the boundary (the outermost extent) of agricultural lands accessed or managed by refugees. The first objective provides information on factors associated with cropland dynamics in refugee settlement. The second objective allows us to associate satellite-mapped cropland dynamics to specific refugee settlements.

This project follows the UNCST-approved research project, "Multi-sensor Mapping of Refugee Agricultural Land-Cover/Land-Use Change Hotspots in Uganda" (RefNo: A414ES), which sought to collect information on crop type and condition at refugee settlements for further satellite image analysis.
 USA 2025-09-03 5:07:37 2028-09-03 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
George Kasule
ID: UNCST-2025-R020040
 HOUSEHOLD DEBT MANAGEMENT IN UGANDA
REFNo: SS4141ES

1. To investigate the relationship between number of the loan and household debt management in Uganda.
2. To examine the moderating effect of purpose of the loan in the relationship between number of loans and household debt management in Uganda.
3. To assess the relationship between financial knowledge and household debt management in Uganda.
4. To investigate the relationship between institutional innovative financial technologies and household debt management in Uganda.
5. To assess the relationship between social networks and household debt management in Uganda
6. To examine the relationship between remittances and household debt management in Uganda.

 Uganda 2025-09-03 5:06:34 2028-09-03 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Betty Mwesigwa
ID: UNCST-2020-R014667
 CASCADE C-3001-A: Comparison of Clinic-based versus Clinic- plus Community Outreach-based Strategy to Increase Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening via HPV Self-Collection among Women Living with HIV: a Cluster Randomized Trial.
REFNo: HS6333ES

To compare cervical cancer monthly screening rates in screen-eligible women living with HIV (WLWH) between the two screening models: standard-of-care for cervical cancer screening through static clinics only (Model 1) versus HPV self-collection through both static clinics and a community-based screening strategy by facility link facilitators (FLFs) (Model 2). Standard-of-care for Model 1 is defined as HPV self-collection when available or Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) when HPV-based screening is not available
 Uganda 2025-09-03 5:05:44 2028-09-03 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Daniel  Emoru Reagan
ID: UNCST-2025-R020048
 Safeguarding Public Health in the Face of Climate Change: Evaluating Uganda's National Policies and Catalyzing Stakeholder Action
REFNo: HS6332ES

1. To conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of Uganda’s national climate change policies, with a particular emphasis on understanding what policies are available and identifying and assessing the inclusion of health-related impacts, risks, and adaptation/mitigation measures.
2. To evaluate the mechanisms and efforts undertaken by the government and development partners to disseminate and raise awareness about these national climate change policies among relevant stakeholders.
3. To identify gaps and provide recommendations for strengthening the integration of health considerations in national climate change policies, as well as improving the dissemination and awareness-raising efforts among key stakeholders.

Uganda 2025-09-03 5:03:32 2028-09-03 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Edgar Mulogo Mugema
ID: UNCST-2023-R008170
 Cardiovascular risk factor profiles and outcomes in rural Uganda: The Bugoye Hypertension Improvement Project (B-HIP)
REFNo: HS6350ES

To evaluate the dietary intake and nutritional habits of adult patients visiting the BHIP clinic. To determine incidence of sustained blood pressure control among persons with hypertension enrolled in BHIP. To assess the costs of hypertension care in a Level III healthcare center in rural Uganda. ,1. To assess the baseline (at time of enrollment to BHIP) prevalence of various cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus) in adults visiting the Bugoye Hypertension Improvement Project.,
 Uganda 2025-09-03 4:49:54 2028-09-03 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Slyvia  Aarakit Manjeri
ID: UNCST-2025-R016896
 GREEN ENERGY FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH RESILIENCE IN UGANDA: BRIDGING THE SKILLS GAP THROUGH TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING-TVET
REFNo: SS4196ES

Objectives
Theme 1: Mapping and Readiness
(i) To map Uganda’s clean energy sub-sector to identify knowledge, technical, and business skill gaps among women and youth entrepreneurs.
(ii) To assess the institutional readiness and capacity of TVETs to deliver inclusive, industry-relevant green energy and clean cooking training.
Theme 2: Curriculum and training
(iii) To co-create a green energy and clean cooking training curriculum for TVET institutions, and strengthen their technical capacity to deliver hands-on, industry-relevant training.
(iv) To enhance the technical and entrepreneurial skills of women and youth to produce/innovate and distribute green and clean cooking solutions in their communities.
Theme 3: Scale-up and Policy Influence
(v) To assess the contribution of TVET-based green energy and clean cooking training programs to green skills development, inclusive participation and resilience of women and youth entrepreneurs.
(vi) To promote public awareness and policy advocacy through transdisciplinarity in knowledge co-creation and dissemination among academia, TVET institutions, communities, policymakers, and private sector actors.

 Uganda 2025-09-03 4:47:32 2028-09-03 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Stephen  Ojiambo Wandera
ID: UNCST-2021-R012147
 Wellness4Students Program to Mitigate Stress, Anxiety, and Depression among Makerere University Students in Uganda (Wellness4Students Project)
REFNo: SS4200ES

1.3 Aim and objectives of the study
This study aims to co-create, implement, and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a Wellness4Students supportive email/WhatsApp messaging program to mitigate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression and to promote well-being among university students in Uganda.

Specific Aims
Aim 1: To co-create and adapt the Wellness4Students intervention for SAD and mental well-being for university students in Uganda. We will co-create the Wellness4Students (W4S) program and then adapt it for students at Makerere University [27, 28, 36].
Aim 2: To determine the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among university students in Uganda. We will use a self-administered online baseline survey to measure these outcomes. The primary outcomes will be Stress, Anxiety, and Depression (SAD) and well-being. This will be measured using the Psychological Stress Scale (PSS-10), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the WHO Wellbeing Scale [14, 37-40]. We will estimate the prevalence of each of these outcomes separately. to assess the impact of the program on stress, anxiety and depression?
Aim 3:. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Wellness4Students intervention for addressing stress, anxiety, and depression among university students in Uganda, as well as to evaluate its impact.
We will assess the daily consistency in program participation (i.e. ability to read daily messages), completion rates (Lost to follow-up), the improvement in mean scores of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression at 3 months, and 6 months [14, 27, 37-40]. End-line survey perceptions and feedback about the program at 6 months will be evaluated. At the end of the intervention and follow up survey, we will conduct a satisfaction survey, as indicated in the last section of the survey questionnaire.

Aim 4: To investigate the association between demographic factors and Stress, Anxiety, and Depression among University students in Uganda.

 Uganda 2025-09-03 4:46:07 2028-09-03 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Hellen Opolot
ID: UNCST-2019-R001724
 An Evaluation of Compliance to Uganda National Research Regulations
REFNo: SS4169ES

Overall objective:

To investigate extent and the drivers of compliance with national research regulations/guidelines among regulators, institutional committees and researchers in Uganda.

Specific objectives

1. To establish the extent of compliance to the national research ethics guidelines/regulations by research regulators, ethics committees and researchers in Uganda
2. To assess the factors associated with Compliance to national research ethics guidelines/regulations by researchers, Institutional Committees and research regulators in Uganda
3. To explore barriers and facilitators of regulatory inspections, audits and enforcement of national research ethics regulations/guidelines by regulators and ethics committees in Uganda
4. To explore barriers and facilitators of compliance to the national research ethics regulations /guidelines by researchers in Uganda

 Uganda 2025-09-02 12:03:37 2028-09-02 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Robert MPIIRA
ID: UNCST-2022-R005391
 Dual Generation Interventions and Poverty Alleviation in Refugee Settlements in Uganda
REFNo: SS4265ES

The primary research objective for the proposed study is to determine if households participating in both the ultra-poor graduation program (UPG) and Humanitarian Play Lab (HPL) will have better outcomes for households, caregivers and children than households participating in the humanitarian play lab alone.
Specifically, the study seeks to:
(i) Examine if households which participate in both the Ultra-poor graduation and Humanitarian Play Lab programs have more income and are more food secure than households which only participate in the Humanitarian Play Lab program
(ii) Ascertain if Caregivers of households which participate in both the Humanitarian Play Lab program and the Humanitarian Play Lab program and those which only participate in HPL are different regarding time use, mindset and aspirations, knowledge and practices related to child development, gender attitudes and dynamics, mental health, well-being, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
(iii) Analyse if children in households which participate in both the Humanitarian Play Lab program and the Humanitarian Play Lab program program have higher development outcomes than children of households that only participate in the Humanitarian Play Lab program

Uganda 2025-09-02 10:11:25 2028-09-02 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Fred  Bulamba
ID: UNCST-2020-R014888
 PErioperative respiratory care and outcomes for patieNts Undergoing hIgh risk abdomiNal surgery
REFNo: HS2178ES

To explore the cost-effectiveness of the different treatment combinations in reducing pneumonia and SSI at pre-selected centres.,To assess the impact of both interventions on postoperative mortality at 30-days, and the effect of 80-100% FiO2 only on the re-operation rate at 30 days after surgery.,To assess whether (1) preoperative 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash reduces the rate of postoperative pneumonia at 30-days compared to no mouthwash, and (2) 80-100% FiO2 used during surgery reduces the rate of postoperative SSI at 30-days compared to 21-35% FiO2, amongst patients aged 10 years or over undergoing elective or emergency midline laparotomy, with an anticipated abdominal incision of ≥5cm, for any indication except caesarean section.,
 Uganda 2025-08-28 10:15:49 2028-08-28 Medical and Health Sciences Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Dickens Akena Howard
ID: UNCST-2019-R000179
 Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African Populations - Psychosis, II NeuroGAP-Psychosis II
REFNo: HS6452ES

i). Expand knowledge of the genetic architecture of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the African continent
through large-scale sample collection and analysis in Uganda
ii) Increase understanding of the genetics of African populations, through various methods for biospecimen
collection
iii) Enhance neuropsychiatric genetic research capacity in Africa through the training of scientists and supporting
the development of locally-led research programs
 Uganda 2025-08-27 14:38:09 2028-08-27 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Emmanuel Mfitundinda
ID: UNCST-2024-R015971
 Surveillance for recurrence and residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia using high-risk human papillomavirus testing at Kawempe National Referral Hospital in Uganda, 2025
REFNo: HS5795ES

To improve surveillance for residual and recurrent CIN during follow up of women attending Kawempe National Referral Hospital (KNRH) in Uganda Specific objectives (i) To determine the prevalence of hr-HPV among women with CIN and those without CIN at Kawempe NRH, January-November, 2025 (ii) Determine the diagnostic/prediction accuracy of hr-HPV compared to the standard cytology for residual or recurrent CIN of any grade. (iii) Determine factors associated with progression of any CIN to a higher grade CIN or invasive cervical carcinoma (iv) Assess the level of acceptance of hr-HPV screening in women treated for CIN among health workers in the women's clinic at Kawempe National Referral Hospital
Uganda 2025-08-26 16:02:41 2028-08-26 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Pamella Abwoyo
ID: UNCST-2024-R015875
 Prevalence And Associated Factors Of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia Coli In Wet Markets In Lira District, Uganda: A One-Health Cross Sectional Study
REFNo: SS3917ES

1. To determine the prevalence and associated factors of ESBL-E.coli in chicken sold in wet markets in Lira District 2. To determine the prevalence and associated factors of ESBL-E.coli in wastewater sources in wet markets in Lira District 3. To determine the prevalence and associated factors of ESBL-E.coli in humans (chicken traders) in wet markets in Lira District
 Uganda 2025-08-26 16:01:07 2028-08-26 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
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