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  
Kemigisha Richardson Maria
ID: UNCST-2024-R016057
 Reconceptualizing Inclusion through the Lived Experiences of Students with Disabilities in Contexts of Forced Displacement: A Comparative Case Study
REFNo: SS3649ES

1. To explore how inclusion is understood and experienced by students with disabilities in contexts of forced displacement, centering their lived experiences and perspectives. 2. Investigate the factors, practices, and policies that promote or hinder inclusion for these students in educational settings. 3. To bridge the gap between theory and practice to inform policies, programming, and discourses on inclusive education among stakeholders at the school, national, and international levels. 4. To contribute to the advancement of accessible, participatory, and transformative learning environments for all students. 5. To inform future educational research, policies, and programming related to inclusion.
USA 2025-03-04 19:32:02 2028-03-04 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Rawlance  Ndejjo
ID: UNCST-2022-R010993
 Cities of Youth: Drivers and the gendered impact of climate-induced migration on livelihoods, health and well-being, and system capacity in secondary cities in Uganda
REFNo: HS5619ES

4. To document the impact of youth climate migration on the demand and functional capacities of the health and social system of host communities.,3. To evaluate the impact of climate migration and subsequent livelihood transformations on the physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health of youth migrants and host communities by gender and age.,2. To investigate how youth climate migration transforms livelihoods in new cities by gender and age, by different types of migrants and hosts,1. To explore the role of climate change in driving youth migration and identify the patterns of migration by gender and age.,To assess the drivers and patterns of climate youth migration and its gendered impact on livelihoods and health of youth migrants and host communities, and the system capacity in secondary cities in Uganda to inform preparedness and response interventions to minimize the negative impact of climate youth migration.,
 Uganda 2025-03-04 19:29:55 2028-03-04 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Nantale  Ritah
ID: UNCST-2021-R012439
 Reducing newborn deaths by improving intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring using the Moyo device in a low resource setting
REFNo: HS3196ES

To assess the effect of introducing the MOYO device as a means of continuous intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring on the detection of abnormal FHR patterns.,To assess the effect of introducing the MOYO device as a means of continuous intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring on the reduction of intrapartum perinatal mortality.,
 Uganda 2025-03-04 19:19:48 2028-03-04 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Leela Channer Winstanley
ID: UNCST-2022-R009457
 The evolution and maintenance of an interspecific mutualism between warthogs and banded mongooses
REFNo: NS927ES

The objectives are to understand: 1) Individual variation in mongoose and warthog cleaning engagement 2) How mongooses and warthogs signal to each other to initiate cleaning interactions 3) How cleaning behaviour is transmitted within and and between groups 4) Why cleaning behaviour is restricted to certain populations
 UK 2025-03-04 19:18:04 2028-03-04 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige
ID: UNCST-2020-R014529
 EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE THREE TIER INTERVENTIONS FOR DISABILITY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD (IDEC) PROGRAMME IN UGANDA
REFNo: HS5596ES

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the three-tier IDEC model piloted in the two districts of Mubende and Kassanda in Uganda, with a twofold purpose: (1) to improve intervention design and management and (2) to inform decisions about future investment and scale-up by establishing evidence and impact.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.

Primary objectives
1. To determine the coverage of vision screening at 0-3 months and developmental screening at 9 and 18 months in the study sites.
2. To determine the change in functional abilities in children receiving the Tier 2 intervention.
3. To evaluate effects of the individualised (Tier 3) program at regular intervals (at least every 3 months) on child and family functioning, well-being and participation.
Secondary objectives
1. To determine the change in knowledge and skills in parental/caretaker after the Tier 2 interventions.
2. To determine the change in parental/caretaker level of stress after Tier 2 interventions.
3. To determine the change in parental/caretaker level of stress after Tier 3 interventions.

4. To establish the extent to which children with developmental delay and disability Tier 1 are included in ECD programmes
5. To establish the extent to which children with developmental delay and disability tier 2 are included in ECD programmes. (This could be a compliance or fidelity issue
6. To determine how well (fidelity) the health workers provided the Tier 2 and 3 interventions.
7. To determine compliance with Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions by the caregivers.
8. To determine family satisfaction with all three tiers of the program, including both children that failed and children who passed the screening assessment (Tier I).
9. To determine the costs and cost-effectiveness of the entire program.
10. To assess the likelihood of continuation
Uganda 2025-03-04 13:40:10 2028-03-04 Medical and Health Sciences Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Apollo Okello
ID: UNCST-2024-R015725
 DEBT FINANCING, DEBT MANAGEMENT BEHAVIOR AND GROWTH SUSTAINABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN LIRA CITY
REFNo: SS3676ES

1. To examine the relationship between debt financing and growth sustainability;
2. To establish the relationship between debt management behaviour and growth sustainability;
3. To establish the moderating effect of debt literacy on the relationship between debt financing and growth sustainability;
4. To examine the moderating effect of debt literacy on the relationship between debt management behaviour and growth sustainability;
5. To examine the nature of debt financing terms, debt management behaviour, and growth sustainability
 Uganda 2025-03-04 13:32:06 2028-03-04 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Joaniter Nankabirwa Immaculate
ID: UNCST-2021-R012896
 Optimising dissemination mechanisms for Malaria clinical practice guidelines in the evidence ecosystem. (MARC-SE-MAGIC)
REFNo: HS5591ES

To study different dissemination mechanisms, customized to health care professionals or other end users of clinical practice guidelines.
Uganda 2025-03-04 13:11:00 2028-03-04 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Kayabula  Alex
ID: UNCST-2023-R005649
 Leaders' Personality, Leadership Styles, and Employee Retention in Selected Universities in Central Uganda
REFNo: SS3673ES

Specific Objectives

1. To examine the relationship between introversion and employee retention in in selected universities in central Uganda.

2. To investigate the influence of extroversion on employee retention in selected universities in central Uganda

3. To explore the impact of democratic leadership style on employee retention in selected universities in central Uganda

4. To assess the combined effect of leaders’ personality and leadership styles on employee retention in selected universities in central Uganda

5. To analyze the moderating role of work environment on the relationship between leaders’ personality, leadership styles, and employee retention in selected universities in central Uganda.

 Uganda 2025-03-04 13:03:54 2028-03-04 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Moses Joloba Lutaakome
ID: UNCST-2022-R011558
 Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance and Antimicrobial Stewardship Strengthening in the Karamoja Sub-region (ARSK)
REFNo: HS5566ES

2.2.1 To determine the patterns and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Napak and Moroto districts of Uganda.
2.2.2 To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antibiotic use, and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) among healthcare workers (HCWs), patients, and their caretakers in Napak and Moroto districts.

 Uganda 2025-03-04 13:01:32 2028-03-04 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Lorna Atikoro
ID: UNCST-2024-R002527
 Improving diagnostics of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Sub-Saharan Africa- A multicenter project of the COMBAT AMR in Africa network
REFNo: HS5555ES

. To determine the concordance of the point of care tests NG-Test CTX-M MULTI©, NGTest CARBA 5© and NG Test MCR-1© in the diagnosis of extended spectrum beta
lactamases, carbapenemases and colistin resistant bacteria respectively with conventional
phenotypic culture.
• To determine the 28- day clinical outcomes of patients with multi drug resistant gram negative bacteria.
• To identify the mechanisms leading to inconsistent results between the POCTs and
conventional phenotypic culture.
 Uganda 2025-03-04 12:23:18 2028-03-04 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Jenny Löfgren
ID: UNCST-2024-R005428
 Orthopaedic trauma, infections and cancer care in Uganda - Disease panorama, management and barriers to care
REFNo: HS5535ES

Investigate complication rates after orthopaedic surgery performed in the study hospitals.,To investigate the proportion of patients with traumatic, infectious and malignant orthopaedic conditions that receive surgical versus non-surgical treatment in the study hospitals,The main objective of the study is to study the management and outcomes of a variety of traumatic, infectious and malignant orthopaedic conditions that are common in secondary and tertiary level hospital settings,To identify current health care gaps in the provision of management of traumatic, infectious and malignant orthopaedic conditions in Uganda. ,To investigate barriers and promoting factors to accessing care for pathological fractures ,Identify rates of complications (revision due to malalignment, infection, technical error) from surgery performed in low-resource settings.,Compare patient functional outcomes if the patient is treated non-surgically, treated surgically within 2 weeks of injury or treated surgically later than 2 weeks after the injury.,
 Sweden 2025-03-04 11:09:42 2028-03-04 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Sarah Kiguli
ID: UNCST-2021-R013020
 Observational Study to Assess the Incidence of Malaria among Children Living with Sickle Cell Disease in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Eastern Uganda.
REFNo: HS5583ES

General Objective
To describe the epidemiology of malaria in SCD patients in Uganda.

Specific objectives:
Primary Objective
1. To determine the incidence of malaria cases in SCD patients over a 12-month period.
1. Secondary objectives
2. To determine the incidence of asymptomatic parasitemia aged 6 months -17 years attending Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Sickle Cell Clinic over a 12-month period?.
3. To determine the incidence of submicroscopic parasitemia aged 6 months -17 years attending Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Sickle Cell Clinic over a 12-month period?.
4. To determine the severity of malaria in SCD patients, including the prevalence of WHO-defined severe malaria complications such as cerebral malaria, respiratory distress, and severe anemia aged 6 months -17 years attending Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Sickle Cell Clinic over a 12-month period?.
5. To determine the frequency of sickle cell disease complications associated with a malaria case.
6. To identify temporal patterns in malaria incidence aged 6 months -17 years attending Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Sickle Cell Clinic over a 12-month period
7. To examine the risk and protective factors associated with malaria susceptibility and severity among malaria-infected SCD patients using malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Exploratory endpoints:

8. To investigate and determine the parasite molecular diversity among SCD patients attending Jinja Regional Referral Hospital?
9. To examine and determine the antimalarial parasite drug resistance patterns among SCD patients


 Uganda 2025-03-04 10:54:17 2028-03-04 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
HIRALY ASABAHEBWA
ID: UNCST-2024-R016374
 A QUALITATIVE STUDY EXPLORING THE EXPERIENCES OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS LIVING WITH HIV AND COMPLETING A UNIVERSITY-LEVEL QUALIFICATION IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
REFNo: SS3684ES

To explore the experiences of newly HIV-diagnosed university students in Kampala, Uganda ,
 Uganda 2025-03-04 10:29:29 2028-03-04 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
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
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