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  
VINCENT MUBANGIZI
ID: UNCST-2024-R004232
 RAMPS: REDUCING ALCOHOL PROBLEM DRINKING AND MALNUTRITION THROUGH INCOME-GENERATING PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
REFNo: HS5394ES

To document and evaluate the first peer support groups for men with alcohol problem drinking in Isingiro district
 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:49:15 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Eva  Laker Odongpiny Agnes
ID: UNCST-2024-R004807
 Lived Experiences of Mixed Groups of Patients on Dolutegravir after Gaining Clinically Significant Weight.
REFNo: HS5195ES

A) Primary objective (Objective 1)
To explore the lived experiences of PLWH who gained weight after starting dolutegravir and whether these experiences vary among different subgroups.
B) Secondary objective (Objective 2)
To examine the sources of information PLWH have on weight gain and how that shapes their
perceptions.
C) Secondary objective (Objective 3)
To explore how the knowledge of the health risks of excessive weight gain and the willingness of patients to take measures to lose weigh
 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:47:39 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Katie Slocombe
ID: UNCST-2024-R016225
 Development of cognition and communication from infancy to late childhood across different societies
REFNo: SS3663ES

The overall objective of this project is to understand the impact of the socio-cultural environment on the development of communication and social cognition and the developmental processes that lead to similarities and differences in adult human behaviour across the globe. The specific objectives are to address the three research questions below with the Ugandan sample: 1. To understand how aspects of physical, emotional and social cognition, and communication develop from infancy through childhood into adult-like forms within in a rural population of Uganda 2. To understand the socio-cultural context that the participants are developing in. 3. Does individual variation in socio-cultural environmental factors predict individual variation in performance in social cognition tasks?
UK 2025-02-20 17:46:27 2028-02-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Ombeva  Malande Oliver
ID: UNCST-2024-R004335
 Understanding barriers and Strengthening Services for HPV vaccination among adolescents living with HIV in Kampala Metropolitan.
REFNo: HS5254ES

4. To document lessons and experiences drawn from piloting outreach HPV vaccine services at Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Mildmay Uganda (MUg). ,3. To pilot HPV vaccination outreach service and education for adolescents living with HIV and attending HIV care and treatment at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Mildmay Uganda (MUg). ,2. To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices that influence HPV vaccine uptake among adolescents living with HIV and attending HIV care at Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Mildmay Uganda (MUg). ,1. To estimate the HPV vaccine coverage among adolescents living with HIV attending Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Mildmay Uganda (MUg).,
 Kenya 2025-02-20 17:45:09 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Baker Lukwago
ID: UNCST-2021-R013259
 Implementation Study: Introducing a Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Device (Baby Checker), Supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI), in peri-urban Uganda. An Acceptability Study with Providers, Consumers, and Decision Makers September 2024_Version
REFNo: SS3496ES

1.2 Main objective of the research
This research aims to understand the feasibility of implementation of the BabyChecker Ultrasound scan in private health facilities in Uganda. The research will assess the BabyChecker pilot from the perspective of providers, pregnant women, and key decision makers. Among providers, the study will investigate providers’ behaviors and challenges during 1st month of using the tool and shift or maintenance of these behaviors, practices, and challenges after 5 months of implementation attributed to the project interventions. The study will explore pregnant women’s experiences with the BABYCHECKER & preferences for the BabyChecker features. Among decision-makers, the study will explore potential use cases for BabyChecker in Uganda, including the potential for public sector expansion, public private partnership, and private sector referral mechanisms.

The specific aims are as follows:
A: What are experiences, perceptions, barriers and attitudes towards BabyChecker Scan among providers using it?
1. What are the providers' practices on how they conduct the BabyChecker scans and how the tool is positioned to the consumer?
2. How are providers integrating BabyChecker into ANC service provision?
3. What are the motivators & barriers providers are experiencing with the BabyChecker tool and implementation?
4. How much are the providers willing to pay to purchase the BabyChecker scan, and what payment modalities are acceptable?
B: What are the pregnant womens experiences and acceptability of the BABYCHECKER scans among pregnant women receiving them?
1. How was Babychecker introducted to pregnant women offered the service? (What did pregnant women understand regarding the purpose of BabyChecker? Did providers respond to questions raised during the introduction of BabyChecker?)
2. What is the experience of pregnant women during the administration and in the reception of results ofthe BabyChecker scan after 24 hours?
3. What are pregnant women’s stated preferences regarding BabyChecker product attributes?
4. What is pregnant women’s willingness to pay for BabyChecker services?
5. What are pregnant women’s willing to pay for preferred BabyChecker features?
C: What is the acceptability of the BabyChecker technology among Decision makers in Uganda?
1. What are the perceptions of key stakeholders about the BabyChecker Scan and recommended use cases for Uganda? What are their barriers and motivators to scaling BabyCheckers further in Uganda?


 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:43:29 2028-02-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Twalib Aliku Olega
ID: UNCST-2019-R000474
 LEVERAGING RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE SCREENING PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN NORTHERN UGANDA
REFNo: HS5492ES

1) To improve the quality of life for families living with CHD in Uganda. Our overarching hypothesis is that building a system centered on the needs of patients and providers at the community level will improve care and quality of life for many while simultaneously building the case to invest in more resource intensive tertiary infrastructure.
Our project leverages our team’s expertise and established government and community collaborations to improve CHD care by accomplishing following specific aim as the first step to delivering and testing an evidence-based primary Health Center (HC) driven program - Congenital Heart Interventions for Primary care Systems (CHIPS) - to care for children with CHD incidentally identified through RHD screening.

2) Identify needs, gaps, and capacities in CHD care to co-design the CHIPS technical package with end-users (patients, caregivers and community providers) by collecting quantitative and qualitative data on current care, care needs, access, and affordability and perspectives on proposed components of CHIPS to co-design content and delivery.
 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:26:59 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Jafesi Pulle
ID: UNCST-2020-R014213
 Developing and Testing a Package of Interventions to Improve Patient Engagement in Rheumatic Heart Disease Care in Northern Uganda: A mixed Methods Study
REFNo: HS5605ES

Objective 1: To describe the treatment cascade of RHD care in Kitgum district and determine the associated factors.
Objective 2: To explore the barriers and facilitators of patient engagement in RHD care in Kitgum district.
Objective 3: To co-develop a package of interventions to improve patient engagement in RHD care.
Objective 4: To evaluate the effectiveness of a package of interventions to improve patient engagement in RHD care in Kitgum district.
 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:21:09 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Catriona  Waitt John
ID: UNCST-2019-R001068
 WOMEN’S INCLUSIVE SERVICES FOR HEALTH ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES IN UGANDA
REFNo: HS5552ES

1. To identify and understand the existing disparities in HIV and maternal healthcare services affecting pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with disabilities
2. To elicit the perceptions and experiences of people with disabilities that affect their health-seeking behavior, especially for HIV, maternal, and reproductive health services.
3. To promote awareness and education among women about their healthcare rights and available services.
4. To collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations, to implement sustainable changes.


 UK 2025-02-20 17:18:32 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
PRECIOUS NATUHWERA
ID: UNCST-2024-R003154
 Clinical presentations, prevalence and factors associated with cranial hemorrhages among neonates admitted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital
REFNo: HS5377ES

General objective
To determine the clinical presentations, prevalence and factors associated with cranial haemorrhages among neonates admitted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Specific objectives
1.To determine the prevalence of extracranial and intracranial haemorrhages among neonates admitted to the NICU of Mbarara RRH.
2.To describe the clinical profiles of neonates with cranial haemorrhages admitted to the NICU at Mbarara RRH
3.To determine the factors associated with cranial haemorrhages among neonates admitted to the NICU at Mbarara RRH.

 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:16:30 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Ashirafu  kule masudi
ID: UNCST-2024-R004729
 TEACHER’S COMMITMENT AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KASESE DISTRICT, UGANDA
REFNo: SS3529ES

i. Examine the relationship between teachers’ job satisfaction and students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Kasese District, Uganda.
ii. To determine the relationship between work environment and students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Kasese District, Uganda.
iii. Establish the relationship between teacher’s level of professional training and development on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Kasese District, Uganda
iv. Evaluate the relationship between school leadership and students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Kasese District, Uganda.

 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:15:03 2028-02-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Naomi Nsubuga
ID: UNCST-2024-R003628
 School Eye Health Rapid Assessment (SEHRA) to review the policy environment and determine the magnitude and patterns of eye health conditions among public primary school children in select regions in Uganda.
REFNo: HS4803ES

2. To determine the magnitude, characteristics and any patterns of eye health conditions among children in selected public primary schools across the six selected regions in Uganda.,1. To conduct a rapid review of the policy, strategy, institutional and service delivery environment for a school eye health programme in Uganda. ,To review the policy environment on school eye health and determine the magnitude and patterns of eye health conditions among public primary school children in selected regions in Uganda,
 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:12:48 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
James Byarugaba
ID: UNCST-2024-R004225
 Midterm evaluation of Our Rights, Our Future PLUS (O3PLUS)
REFNo: SS2565ES

The evaluation objectives are to:
1. Ascertain the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the O3PLUS Project.
2. Assess progress against targets set at baseline, validate, and populate the results framework.
3. Identify opportunities, challenges, innovative practices, and lessons that will be useful for strengthening and enhancing the implementation of the remaining project period.
4. Provide conclusions and actionable recommendations to shape future programming and implementation of similar initiatives.

Uganda 2025-02-20 17:11:11 2028-02-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Christine  Muhumuza
ID: UNCST-2023-R008646
 Improving Family Wellness for Couples in Central Uganda 2024-2029
REFNo: HS5523ES

The study aims are to:

(1) In a cluster randomised trial, compare the efficacy of the FH=FW intervention vs. a time/attention matched comparator intervention at increasing modern contraceptive use and reducing unintended pregnancy among couples with an unmet need for family planning through 24-months, and identify potential mediators of the intervention effect.

(2) Determine the intervention’s effect on, and determinants of, contraceptive continuation.

(3) Through a mixed-methods process evaluation, explore factors affecting the implementation of the intervention in order to improve feasibility, acceptability, and the likelihood of future adoption and sustainment
 Uganda 2025-02-20 17:09:28 2028-02-20 Medical and Health Sciences Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Sally Andersson Lova Sofia
ID: UNCST-2024-R002577
 Agrarian Governmentality & Interacting Policies: Young Farmers' Subjectivity and Agency in the Gulu District, Uganda
REFNo: SS3634ES

To gain knowledge on how young farmers in Uganda socially navigate the subjectivities constructed in the policies, using their agency to internalise, adopt, or adapt them, or to create counter-conduct subjectivities. ,To understand how young farmers experience challenges and opportunities in farming, and how they view the solutions to these challenges offered in various interacting agrarian policies. ,To explore the various subjectivities for young farmers found within problem representations in the governmental policies, illuminating possible synergies and discords between policies attempting to solve different challenges, as subjectivities offer different possible courses of actions to young farmers.,To explore how young farmers in Uganda interact with synergies and discords in governmental policy responses to climate change and the associated challenges and opportunities facing young farmers. ,
 Sweden 2025-02-14 17:37:37 2028-02-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Isaac Ssewanyana
ID: UNCST-2020-R014336
 ConfiSign HIV Self-Test: Evaluation of Clinical Performance and Usability in the hands of untrained users.
REFNo: HS5545ES

The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical performance and the usability of the ConfiSign HIV Self-Test in the hands of untrained users from a low prevalence HIV region and having no experience in HIV self-testing (HIVST).
The following specific studies will be conducted:
Part 1: Results Interpretation Study
Part 2: Observed untrained user study

 Uganda 2025-02-14 17:33:35 2028-02-14 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Stephen Asiimwe
ID: UNCST-2019-R000059
 Clinical Spectrum and Societal Impact of Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Among People with HIV in Uganda
REFNo: HS5493ES

1. Determine the prevalence and classification of MCI/ADRDs (1A) and compare trajectories of cognitive performance (1B) between older PWH in Uganda and demographically similar HIV-negative individuals.
2. Identify pathophysiologic contributors to MCI/ADRDs in older adults in Uganda by performing deep phenotyping with novel plasma biomarkers and neuroimaging.
3.Discover and validate novel, multilevel mechanistic models of MCI/ADRDs among older PWH by employing ML methods.
 Uganda 2025-02-14 17:30:42 2028-02-14 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Laura Keihäs Anna Maria
ID: UNCST-2024-R015717
 Exploring the Role of Expressive Arts in the Emancipation and Well-being of Girls. Case Study from Kabale, Uganda
REFNo: SS3612ES

- to gather new information on the relationship between expressive arts, emancipation and well-being of youth, especially Ugandan girls in vulnerable life situations
- to gain a better understanding of the Ugandan and African approaches to well-being and emancipation
- to get new decolonial, Ugandan and African perspectives on global youth research and critical social pedagogy
The study aims to contribute to planetary social pedagogy and global youth research. It will provide new insights and African perspectives on the potential of creative expression to support youth well-being in Uganda and beyond.
 Finland 2025-02-14 17:24:47 2028-02-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Samuel Mugisha
ID: UNCST-2024-R002496
 VICARIOUS TRAUMA AND JOB PERFORMANCE OF WORKERS IN SELECTED HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA
REFNo: SS3592ES

1. To examine the effects of emotional distress on job performance of workers in humanitarian
organizations of Southwest Uganda.
2. To explore effects intrusive thoughts on job performance of workers within humanitarian
organizations of Southwest Uganda
3. To investigate the moderating effects of social support on job performance of workers in
humanitarian organizations of Southwest Uganda.
4. To analyze the moderating effects of self-esteem and gender on the relationship between vicarious
trauma and job performance of workers in humanitarian organizations of Southwest Uganda.
5. To establish the relationship between vicarious trauma and job performance of workers in
humanitarian organizations of Southwestern Uganda
 Uganda 2025-02-14 17:21:36 2028-02-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Mark Jordans
ID: UNCST-2020-R014861
 POPULATION-LEVEL EVALUATION OF A MENTAL HEALTH CARE PACKAGE FOR CHILDREN IN SELECTED REFUGEE SETTLEMENTS IN UGANDA (PAMOJA TUNAWEZA): A CLUSTER RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL (cRCT)
REFNo: SS3571ES

To evaluate the impact of a mental health care system on improving population level mental health of children in refugee settlements, with the following guiding research questions and hypotheses:
 Netherlands 2025-02-14 16:25:24 2028-02-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Diana Namuddu
ID: UNCST-2024-R003660
 Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers regarding the use of standard malaria management guidelines
REFNo: HS5458ES

1) To explore healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding malaria management guidelines in Adjumani and Kitgum districts. 2) To investigate the behavioural and social factors influencing malaria case management among healthcare workers in Adjumani and Kitgum districts. 3) To evaluate healthcare workers' willingness to recommend the malaria vaccine for preventing malaria in children once it becomes available in Adjumani and Kitgum districts. 4) To identify facilitators and barriers affecting the adoption of malaria management guidelines among health workers in Adjumani and Kitgum districts
 Uganda 2025-02-14 16:17:09 2028-02-14 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
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