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  
Atek kagirita
ID: UNCST-2024-R015689
 LABORATORY SYSTEM RESILIENCE TO CORONAVIRUS DISEASE-19 OUTBREAK; ITS PREDICTORS, POLICY, AND PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT IN UGANDA
REFNo: HS6101ES

General objective
To assess the level of laboratory system resilience to COVID-19 disease outbreak, its predictors, appropriateness of policies to support it, and capacity of private sector laboratories to impact it in Uganda
4.2.2 Specific objectives
1. To determine the level and characteristics of resilience among licensed / accredited COVID-19 testing laboratories in Uganda.
2. To establish the predictors of resilience among licensed / accredited COVID-19 testing laboratories in Uganda.
3. To describe private sector laboratory capacity to contribute to national laboratory system resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks
4. To appraise the appropriateness of current/emerging policies to support laboratory resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks
 Uganda 2025-06-23 13:30:18 2028-06-23 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Abel  Kakuru
ID: UNCST-2022-R009193
 Development of context-appropriate approaches for the recruitment and retention of women of childbearing age and pregnant women in antimalarial clinical trials
REFNo: HS6036ES

1. To understand the context, socio-cultural practices and beliefs around early pregnancy as well as collecting experience with and/or perception of previous clinical trials to inform the development of culturally acceptable and understandable communication materials about the SAFIRE trial, including the information sheets for obtaining consent.
2. To identify factors and individuals that may influence WOCBA and pregnant women’s decision-making around participation and retention in the clinical trial to be addressed as part of project procedures and communications.
3. To explore approaches for facilitating the inclusion of WOCBA and pregnant women (in early pregnancy) in the clinical trial, based on the findings from objective 2.
4. To identify key stakeholders (including household decision-makers, community leaders and opinion shapers, health sector actors), from community to national levels, to be included and involved in the community engagement strategy prior to trial implementation.

 Uganda 2025-06-20 9:25:32 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Rita Nakalega
ID: UNCST-2019-R000599
 Exploring Neuro-Vascular Biomarkers in Young Adults with lifelong HIV and without HIV in Uganda: Insights from Carotid Ultrasound
REFNo: HS6038ES

Exploratory objectives/aims: To determine the prevalence of and relationships between HIV infection, carotid pathology, neurological and neurocognitive function, and serum markers of cardiovascular health and inflammation in a population of young adults living with HIV in Uganda who acquired the infection perinatally as well as uninfected age-matched controls,Secondary objective (Aim 2): To determine the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, as determined by a battery of cognitive evaluations, of a population of young adults living with HIV in Uganda who acquired the infection perinatally, relative to uninfected age-matched controls.,Primary objective (Aim 1): To determine the prevalence of carotid pathology, as determined by ultrasound-based measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT), in a population of young adults living with HIV in Uganda who acquired the infection perinatally, relative to uninfected age-matched controls.,
 Uganda 2025-06-20 9:22:24 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Kiel McGowan
ID: UNCST-2025-R017284
 Prevalence and patterns of coinfection with malaria and soil transmitted helminths among school-aged children in rural Northern Uganda: A cross-sectional study
REFNo: HS6039ES

To measure the prevalence of coinfection with malaria and STH among school-aged children and to identify factors that may be associated with infection.
 USA 2025-06-20 9:16:14 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
MARY AGUNLOYE OLAOLUWA
ID: UNCST-2024-R003434
 EVALUATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF AVOCADO (Persea americana Mill.) IN HIGH-FAT DIET/ LOW- DOSE STREPTOZOTOCIN - INDUCED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN WISTAR RATS
REFNo: HS5401ES

1. To screen aqueous, ethyl acetate, and ethanol leave extracts of p. americana Mill for anti-hyperglycemic activity
2. To assess the anti-diabetic potential of selected extract in high-fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin-induced T2DM in Wistar rats in a dose dependent pattern, and identify it mechanism of action
3. To perform phytochemical screening and metabolite profiling of the selected bioactive extracts through integrated FT-IR, LC-MS and GC-MS
4. To assess the in silico interactions of compounds of avocado leaf with selected drug targets in type II diabetes.
5. To evaluate the biological activities of the in silico hit compounds using in vitro and in vivo analyses

Nigeria 2025-06-20 9:03:03 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
GEOFFREYEDWIN SEMAMBO
ID: UNCST-2024-R015519
 prevalence and factors associated with Adverse maternal outcomes among emergency obstetric referrals delivered at Mbarara regional referral Hospital
REFNo: HS5740ES

To determine the factors associated with adverse maternal outcomes among emergency obstetric referrals at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital,To describe the adverse maternal outcomes among emergency obstetric referrals delivered at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital,To determine the prevalence of adverse maternal outcomes among emergency obstetric referrals delivered at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, To determine the prevalence and factors associated with adverse maternal outcomes among emergency obstetric referrals delivered at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital,
 Uganda 2025-06-20 8:55:52 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Gloria Lubega
ID: UNCST-2025-R017180
 Understanding HIV vertical transmission in Uganda in a population of urban mothers in the era of Dolutegravir based antiretroviral therapy(VERT)
REFNo: HS6095ES

Quantitative Objectives I. To identify level of utilisation of PMTCT and EID services among mothers living with HIV. II. To assess the factors associated with utilization of PMTCT services and EID services among mothers living with HIV. III. To identify factors associated with HIV vertical transmission in the era of Dolutegravir based therapy among mothers living with HIV. IV. To determine the proportion of pregnant women diagnosed with HIV that were linked to care and the time taken from HIV diagnosis to linkage to care among mothers living with HIV. Qualitative Objectives 1. To explore the experiences of women in the PMTCT program, including. • Barriers and facilitators for utilizing the program. • Adherence to instructions such as breastfeeding practices. • And the role of close relationships (partner, family and community members) in supporting women’s participation in PMTCT. 2. To obtain suggestions that can potentially improve the implementation of the PMTCT program
Uganda 2025-06-20 8:53:57 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Annah Tugaineyo
ID: UNCST-2024-R016504
 WORKPLACE EQUITY, PARTICIPATION IN STAFF COMMITTEES, STAFF WELFARE AND JOB SATISFACTION OF ACADEMIC STAFF IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN WESTERN UGANDA
REFNo: SS3835ES

-To examine the differences in workplace equity between academic staff in public and private universities in Western Uganda.

-To assess the underlying factors that stimulate job satisfaction among academic staff in public and private universities in western Uganda

-To analyze the differences in participation in staff committees between academic staff in public and private universities in Western Uganda.

-To determine the influence of workplace equity on job satisfaction among academic staff in public and private universities in western Uganda.

-To assess the mediating role of participation in staff committees in the relationship between workplace equity and job satisfaction in public and private universities in western Uganda.

-To investigate the mediating role of staff welfare in the relationship between workplace equity and job satisfaction in public and private universities in western Uganda.

 Uganda 2025-06-20 8:47:35 2028-06-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Anne Mette Kjaer
ID: UNCST-2024-R015303
 The Political Economy of Local Food System Governance: Impacts on climate -Vulnerable communities in Lake Victoria Border Region
REFNo: SS3899ES

1. Understanding and mapping national food governance ie policy initiatives, decisions and processes affecting food and livelihood security of climate-vulnerable communities in lake Victoria border region (WP1)
2. Understanding the implementation processes of these food system policies and decision with a focus on the effect of local government autonomy and capacity to address the food and livelihood of climate-vulnerable communities, and the nature of state-community encouters in these processes (WP2)
3. Understanding the lived experiences of food and livelihood security among the climate-vulnerable communities in Lake Victoria region, the perceptions they have of local and national food system policies, and the role these communities play in food system governance
 Denmark 2025-06-20 8:43:55 2028-06-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Jolly  Kamugisha G.K.
ID: UNCST-2023-R005715
 Performance and Factors Affecting the Implementation of the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition Programme: A Study of Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso and Kayunga Districts
REFNo: HS6084ES

5. To document the lessons learnt and best practices during implementation of the IMAM program in the four target districts during the calendar year 2022 and 2023.,4. To establish factors that affect the utilization of IMAM services in the four target districts.,3. To determine factors influencing treatment outcomes of children with wasting in the four target districts.,2. To determine the performances of the integrated management of acute malnutrition program in the four target districts during the calendar year 2022 and 2023.,1. To identify the communities contributing to a high burden of childhood wasting caseload in health facilities in four target districts (Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso and Kayunga),The overall objective of this study is to assess the nutrition service delivery and factors influencing utilization of the IMAM programme in Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso and Kayunga districts,
 Uganda 2025-06-20 8:41:29 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Evan Borkum
ID: UNCST-2025-R016987
 Evaluation of cash and cash plus intervention in Nakivale refugee settlement, Uganda
REFNo: SS3849ES

The non-profit organization GiveDirectly plans to implement a cash-plus program in Nakivale refugee settlement, which will supplement a large unconditional cash transfer with demand-driven skills training and apprenticeship; business coaching, mentoring, and entrepreneurship support; and access to financial services and financial literacy training. The objective of the study is to rigorously assess the impact of the program on household wellbeing through a randomized controlled trial.
Italy 2025-06-20 8:36:56 2028-06-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Christine Nalwadda Kayemba
ID: UNCST-2020-R014220
 EVALUATION OF A PILOT PROJECT TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE IMPLANT FAMILY PLANNING METHOD THROUGH COMMUNITY HEALTH EXTENSION WORKERS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS IN UGANDA
REFNo: HS5966ES

3. To determine competence of the CHEWs regarding insertion and removal of implants following training.,2. To assess the acceptability of the community-based implant by CHEWs among the stakeholders (health workers at the facility, FP clients in the community) ,1. To explore the perceptions of the stakeholders towards the implant provision task shifting to the CHEWs (stakeholders including the CHEWs, clients, health workers/ professionals and policy makers) ,The overall objective is to evaluate the implementation of a community-based implant intervention through training CHEWs on how to insert and remove implants, in order to understand the perceptions and acceptability of stakeholders towards task shifting the implants service provision to CHEWS, and determine the CHEWs attainment of competencies to insert and removal implants in the selected districts in Uganda,
 Uganda 2025-06-20 8:34:40 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Julian Benedict Kuttig
ID: UNCST-2025-R018435
 Youth Participation, Representation, and Civic Engagement in the Context of Social Cohesion: The Case of Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi and Rajshahi University, Bangladesh.
REFNo: SS3956ES

1. To investigate how student civic engagement contributes to social cohesion within university and local communities. 2. To understand the factors that shape student civic agency, including cultural, institutional, and policy influences. 3. To explore how lessons learned from diverse contexts can challenge the global North/South dichotomy and provide transferable insights into fostering social cohesion. 4. To shed light on the unique spatial and social dynamics of secondary cities as sites of youth civic engagement, offering a counterbalance to strictly urban- or rural-centric research.
Germany 2025-06-20 8:26:29 2028-06-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Cornelius Sendagire
ID: UNCST-2021-R004351
 Practice of Fluid Therapy in Critically Ill Invasively Ventilated Patients (PRoFLUID)––an International Multicenter Observational Cohort Study The PRoFLUID–investigators
REFNo: HS6063ES

3.1. General Objective To explore global practices in intravenous fluid and vasopressor therapy in invasively ventilated ICU patients. 3.2 Specific Objectives Describe the types and volumes of fluids administered in the first 3 and 7 days after initiation of invasive ventilation. Detail the timing, type, and duration of vasopressor and diuretic therapy. Assess daily urine output and cumulative fluid balances. Evaluate clinical outcomes (ventilation duration, ICU/hospital length of stay, and mortality). Compare practices across different geo-economic regions.
 Uganda 2025-06-20 8:20:52 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Ellen Asiimwe
ID: UNCST-2024-R002415
 Academic demands and Mental Wellbeing of Upper Primary Learners in Uganda. A study of Government and Private Schools in Mukono Municipality.
REFNo: SS3902ES

To explore the learners’ experiences of extracurricular activities in Mukono municipality primary schools,To compare the effect of academic demands and mental wellbeing on upper class learners from government schools and private schools,To assess how the length of time (early start and late end) influences learners’ mental wellbeing,To establish how high expectations affect learners’ mental wellbeing, To assess the relationship between academic demands and mental wellbeing from of upper class learners in Mukono Municipality Schools.,
 Uganda 2025-06-20 7:56:25 2028-06-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Rachel  Kabunga Rehema
ID: UNCST-2021-R005043
 Investigating the Feasibility of Implementing an Automated Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Algorithm in Southwestern Uganda
REFNo: HS5979ES

To describe the existing AI-based DR screening algorithms and their infrastructure
requirements based on published scholarly evidence globally.
2. To assess the existing capacity within the health facilities to support the implementation of an
AI-based DR screening system in Southwestern Uganda,
3. To assess the performance of the most context-appropriate existing AI-based DR screening
algorithms in Southwestern Uganda.
 Uganda 2025-06-20 7:50:07 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Elizabeth Nyboer Ann
ID: UNCST-2023-R005929
 Social license and access in aquaculture: documenting perceptions of nutritional, economic, and environmental risks and benefits in Lake Victoria's fisheries
REFNo: SS3903ES

(1) document stakeholder views on the environmental, economic, and nutritional risks and benefits, (2) quantify stakeholder proximity to environmental risks, and (3) examine how different farm types affect risks, benefits, and access to those benefits for various stakeholders
 Canada 2025-06-20 7:47:42 2028-06-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Fred Ssewamala
ID: UNCST-2020-R014060
 Suubi4PrEP: Improving PrEP Access and Adherence Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Uganda
REFNo: SS3990ES

Suubi4PrEP will examine the effect of a multilevel intervention, combining HIV risk reduction that incorporates sessions on PrEP, peer supporters with lived experiences to facilitate linkage to and continued care, and economic empowerment components targeting financial barriers associated with PrEP access, PrEP initiation, uptake and adherence among AGYW in Uganda. Study aims are:

Aim 1: Examine the impact of Suubi4PrEP on PrEP initiation (primary outcome); and PrEP adherence (secondary outcome).

Aim 2: Examine the effect of Suubi4PrEP on hypothesized mechanisms of change (financial stability, PrEP stigma, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and social support) and intervention mediation.

Aim 3: Use mixed methods to explore multi-level factors that influence PrEP initiation and adherence.

Aim 4: Assess the cost and cost-effectiveness of the interventions.

Uganda 2025-06-20 7:41:25 2028-06-20 Social Science and Humanities Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Dorothy Akongo
ID: UNCST-2023-R007564
 Pediatric Epilepsy in Busoga Region, Uganda – current management and factors associated with drug adherence and seizure control
REFNo: HS6004ES

The overall aim is to assess the current ability to diagnose and manage childhood epilepsy in
health facilities at different levels in Busoga region, Uganda and to describe pediatric epilepsy
patients followed at a Ugandan regional referral hospital to identify factors associated with
seizure control and epilepsy drug adherence.
 Uganda 2025-06-20 7:37:23 2028-06-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Jesca Audo Harriet
ID: UNCST-2019-R000209
 STUDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES IN BIOLOGY LESSONS AS MEDIATORS OF SELF-EFFICACY AND GENERIC SKILLS IN UGANDA’S NEW LOWER SECONDARY CURRICULUM
REFNo: SS3915ES

The following objectives will serve as the study's direction. 1.To determine the level of student learning activities designed for students during Biology lessons in the lower secondary schools. 2.To determine the level of acquisition of generic skills among students during Biology lessons in the lower secondary schools. 3.To investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and student learning activities during Biology lessons in the lower secondary schools. 4.To examine the relationship between self-efficacy and generic skills acquisition among students during Biology lessons in the lower secondary school. 5.To examine the relationship between student learning activities and generic skills acquisition among students during Biology lessons in in the lower secondary schools. To investigate the mediating effect of student learning activities in relation to self-efficacy and generic skills acquisition among students during Biology lessons in the lower secondary schools.
 Uganda 2025-06-20 7:34:34 2028-06-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
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