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  
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
Caroline Gotsche Isabelle
ID: UNCST-2025-R021504
 Antenatal syphilis testing in central Uganda - Exploring provider-level factors affecting maternal syphilis testing coverage
REFNo: HS6671ES

1. Mapping the current body of literature of syphilis testing in ANC services.This will allow us to obtain an overview on the current state of syphilis testing among pregnant women in ANC services in Uganda. 2. Understanding impeding and facilitating factors of syphilis testing in ANC services. Investigating providers` (Health Care Workers (HCW), midwives, nurses and physicians) knowledge of syphilis, and their experiences, perceptions, ideas and interest in syphilis testing will be essential to gain deeper understanding of these factors. Additionally, providers’ interest and ideas on engaging partners in antenatal syphilis testing will be explored to address the issue of re-infection in pregnant women. To gain an overview of a pregnant woman’s journey through the clinic, paying particular attention to how syphilis screening fits into antenatal care clinic observations will be conducted. 3. Exploring syphilis self-testing as a novel syphilis testing strategy in ANC services.
Investigating policy makers`, providers’ and pregnant women’s understanding and interest in the use of syphilis self-testing will be investigated. Whether the use of secondary distribution of self-test kits to partners of pregnant women to enhance partner engagement may be an acceptable approach among pregnant women will be also examined.
Germany 2025-11-07 5:12:16 2028-11-07 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Sarah Wilker
ID: UNCST-2025-R019791
 One size fits all? Towards individual prediction of treatment success for posttraumatic stress disorder in post-conflict settings (TRAUMA-FIT)
REFNo: HS6712ES

Main Objective 1. to identify individual predictors of treatment response to two different treatments in survivors with PTSD in a post-conflict setting Specific Objectives 1. Investigate whether NET is, on average, more effective than PM+ for the treatment of PTSD 2. Identify predictors of optimal response in the two conditions, and thereby identify predictors of treatment success in a trauma-focused versus present-focused treatment 3. Investigate the explanatory role of socio-ecological factors in PTSD treatment response
 Germany 2025-11-26 14:28:24 2028-11-26 Medical and Health Sciences Clinical Trial Degree Award
Konrad Burchard Burchardi
ID: UNCST-2025-R023135
 Empowering Agriculturalists through Structured Experimentation (EASE)
REFNo: SS4724ES

With this project, we aim to measure how individualised experimentation influences the adoption of modern inputs by improving the ability of farmers to make decisions, based on direct observations, that suit their own soils and farming conditions. To accomplish this, we aim to examine both agronomic and behavioral outcomes:

Agronomic objectives :
- We want to estimate the impact of modern agricultural inputs on maize yields, depending on known soil characteristics measured through soil sample analysis.
- This will allow us to identify complementarities or substitution patterns between inputs (hybrid seeds, fertilizer) by comparing yields across structured experimental squares.
- We also expect this study to assess whether simple field experiments conducted by farmers themselves produce reliable agronomic information that can guide input choices.

Behavioral objectives:
- With this study, we want to understand how farmers engage with the structured experimentation methodology, and document how farmers interpret the outcomes of their experiments and how these outcomes shape their input decisions for the next agricultural season.
- A control/treated group design will also allow us to understand the added value of the EASE training beyond access to inputs alone, by comparing farmers who receive inputs plus experimentation training to farmers who receive inputs only.

 Germany 2026-02-05 22:12:41 2029-02-05 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Stephanie Grand
ID:
Volcanic inputs in soils of the Albertine Rift Valley: implication for modern soil biogeochemistry
REFNo: NS33ES

1. Identify the geochemical signature of recent volcanic eruptions products in the area based on the literature and lab analyses of grab samples of volcanic rocks. 2. Look for evidence of volcanic influence in modern soils using geochemical and mineralogical analyses of soil samples collected at different locations and different landscape positions 3. Analyze the link between inferred volcanic inputs and soil fertility 4. Formulate recommendations for integrating pedologic and geochemical information into agricultural sustainability studies
France 2017-11-08 2020-11-08 Natural Sciences Non-degree Award
Clémence Bonneaud
ID:
Pant-hoot call in immature chimpanzees
REFNo: NS40ES

We will describe the age at which pant-hoot production starts. We will examine the order in which the four phases of the pant-hoot call develop. For example: is development sequential with the order of the final pant-hoot call, or do later phases (the climax) develop before early ones. We will investigate at what point multiple elements are produced within a call, and whether the sex differences seen in the pant-hoot calls of adults are also seen during development.
France 2018-04-04 2021-04-04 Natural Sciences Degree Award
Mael Leroux
ID:
Dual articulation in the communication system of chimpanzees
REFNo: NS47ES

The emergence of combinatoriality (phonology and syntax) in human language represents one of the key evolutionary transitions in life (Maynard Smith & Szathmary 1995). Despite its significance, we know very little regarding how unique this capacity is to humans or the evolutionary progression of this trait. By searching for core features of language, such as its combinatoriality, in the communication systems of closely related species to humans, particularly the primates, it is possible to shed light on whether the components of language are de novo evolved traits in humans or whether they have their origins rooted in the primate lineage. With this project, I aim to shed light on how unique combinatorics is to human language through empirically investigating the presence of linguistic forms of phonology and syntax in our closest living relative, the chimpanzee.
France 2018-04-20 2021-04-20 Natural Sciences Degree Award
Florence Brisset-Foucault
ID:
Registering and Identifying People in Uganda A Historical Approach
REFNo: SS210ES

Today, norms and practices of biometric identification are objects of global fascination, curiosity, anxiety or scrutiny. Yet, in the case of Africa, identification documents have hardly been central to scholarship. In order to fill this important gap, this study proposes to focus on the history of official/administrative documents of identification in Uganda, as objects of governmentality (Foucault, 2004). A great variety of identification documentation will be included, as empirical objects of study: birth certificates, voters’ cards, introduction letters by Local councils, party-membership cards, as well as other forms of nominative documentation such as land certificates and drivers’ licenses. The idea is that the daily uses of these objects and the popular representations attached to them will inform us on the parameters of public action, ordinary social life, the imagination of identities and civic cultures. By better understanding Ugandans' previous experiences of identification, it is expected that this research will inform best practices in terms of the documentation and verification of identities, and of the implication of these processes on the State and on society.
France 2019-01-15 2022-01-15 Social Science and Humanities Non-degree Award
Agathe Verhulst Julie
ID:
Prevalence of Oesophagostomum spp. in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) and livestock at Bwindi Impenetrable National Parc, Uganda.
REFNo: HS369ES

To gain a better understanding of the parasite’s prevalence in order to prevent future infection at the gorilla/livestock/human interface and following a one health approach: improve the health of the gorillas and the livelihood of
the human population neighbouring the BINP.
 France 2019-07-01 2022-07-01 Medical and Health Sciences Non-degree Award
Caroline Delaire
ID:
Evaluating the potential of point-of-collection chlorination and village savings and loans associations to improve water safety management in rural Uganda
REFNo: SIR47ES

1. To evaluate the effectiveness of an inline handpump chlorinator (PurAll 50H) at improving water safety.
2. To understand the contexts that are favorable for bundling maintenance and chlorination, and the contexts where bundling is not appropriate.
3. To understand the contexts where VSLA-managed “water funds” are successful at increasing financial resources available for handpump maintenance, and the contexts where this strategy is less effective.

 France 2021-02-04 2024-02-04 Engineering and Technology Non-degree Award
Clara HOZER
ID: UNCST-2022-R010004
 Inter-individual variation in sleep strategies and consequences for fitness and cognition in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
REFNo: NS433ES

- To assess whether chimpanzees display inter-individual variation in sleep strategies
- To determine if these strategies are driven by endogenous and social factors
- To explore if these sleep strategies have specific fitness consequences
- To investigate if these sleep strategies are in a trade-off relation with cognitive performance

 France 2022-10-27 7:33:37 2025-10-27 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Jihane Farhat Ben
ID:
Evaluation of two strategies part of the Differentiated Services Delivery Models (DSDM) in Fishermen’s landing sites at Lakes George and Edward, Western Uganda.
REFNo: HS1574ES

The main objective of the study is to describe acceptability and outcomes (VL suppression and
retention) relevance of MSF Landing site activities for the target populations to reorient
activities and document best practices.
The specific objectives are:
- To measure the proportion of eligible patients who enrol in CCLADs and FTR
- To compare characteristics of patients choosing CCLAD with those choosing FTR
- To measure the retention in care in CCLADS and in FTR at 6 and 12 months
- To measure the viral suppression for patients enrolled in CCLADS and in FTR for at least 1 year
- To describe acceptability and relevance of DSDM, peer zonal leaders, peers at the health facilities, VIP clinic days, OJT/CMEs for health workers and the information points.

France 2021-09-22 2024-09-22 Medical and Health Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Caroline Fryns
ID:
Infant-directed vocalizations in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
REFNo: NS272ES

There is clear evidence that surrounding and directed vocalizations have a part in the development of the vocal competence of infants. What part each input plays in vocal development is, however, unclear. As such, the overall aim of this study is to investigate further on the presence and the roles of the different vocal inputs available during the vocal development of wild eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). More precisely, the study sets out to identify infant-directed vocalizations and characterize its acoustic and structural properties as well as investigate on its function in respect to ISV on the three different levels of vocal acquisition (see Table 1 for a summary of the hypotheses): production, comprehension and usage (Seyfarth & Cheney, 2010).

This study is part of a wider initiative which sets out to understand the evolution of human language and consequently the evolution of the learning mechanisms set in place in parallel throughout closely related species.
France 2022-06-22 12:11:58 2025-06-22 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Guillaume DESOUBEAUX V
ID:
microMONKEY A model of international translational study to address the prevention of fungal infection in African great apes based on the One Health concept
REFNo: NS420ES

This study aims to better depict the epidemiology of microsporidiosis, to demonstrate the impact that the close proximity of humans to animals can have on the microbiological digestive carriage in great apes, and to understand its ecological consequences, in terms of their zoonotic potential. Preventive means to better control inter-species microbial transmission could thus be proposed. This project is totally part of the current international trend to preserve the environment and defend the animal welfare, supported by the One Health program.
France 2022-09-20 12:43:17 2025-09-20 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Loic SEGALEN
ID: UNCST-2022-R011339
 Uganda Palaeontology Expedition
REFNo: NS328ES

Study of the evolution of the past biodiversity (fossils), biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments (palaeontology + geochemistry) during the Miocene and Pliocene (between 25 to 2.54 Million years ago) in Karamoja and in the West Nile. New fossils and field data are collected every year following standard field techniques during field surveys in association with the Palaeontogy Department of the Uganda Museum at Kampala
 France 2022-06-13 15:22:39 2025-06-13 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Klein Harmonie
ID:
Social dynamics across communities of Wild Eastern Chimpanzees (Pan t. schweinfurthii) in Uganda
REFNo: NS539ES

The project aim is to shed new light on the degree of sociality and cooperation underlying social living in wild chimpanzees. In doing so, I hope to gain a better understanding of chimpanzee behaviour and of the evolutionary trajectory of ape and human sociality
 France 2023-07-05 10:39:47 2026-07-05 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Mathias Gerecht
ID:
Colonialism and racism in Uganda : a study of racial speeches and policies in the Western province (1890-1962)
REFNo: SS1854ES

1. Showing which racial theories and stereotypes were developed by which colonial actors and when.
2. Understanding how these racial theories and stereotypes were developed (how was this knowledge constructed ?)
3. Analysing the various ways the Ugandan people reacted to this racism.

 France 2023-08-08 12:33:56 2026-08-08 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Chloé OULD AKLOUCHE Malika
ID:
Punitive innovation and penal control: A comparison of community service orders in Kenya and Uganda
REFNo: SS1852ES

1- By analysing a punitive innovation, to reveal that public policies are always constructed by a multitude of actors and that models are always translated locally.

2- To identify the conditions of possibility and development of rehabilitative sentences that allow the reintegration of offenders and reduce recidivism.

3- To bring an empirical contribution to the functioning of community service orders in Kenya and Uganda by observing the way it is applied to understand its effects.
 France 2023-07-13 11:11:18 2026-07-13 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Sandrine Perrot
ID: UNCST-2019-R001546
 The Bureaucratisation of Legal Identities in colonial and post-colonial Uganda: A Socio-History of State Registration and Documentation of Individuals
REFNo: SS2227ES

My main objective is to generate original insights on the construction of bureaucratic knowledge and techniques of identification and their impact on state construction and practices of citizenship in Uganda. Our goal is to
1. Identify the (un)favourable contexts for the introduction of identification policies
2. Map the players involved in identification over time
3. Highlight the changes in the instruments of identification
4. Examine the circulation of these practices
5. Observe the impact of state identification and registration on the practices of citizenship and the relation to the state
At this stage of my research, I would like to focus on three non-exclusive lines of enquiry: the debate surrounding the first identity cards during late colonialism; the documentation of non-indigenous people, and in particular the citizenship crisis of Asians in the 1960s and 1970s; and finally, the intense periods of identification during electoral periods, and more specifically the processes of voter registration.

France 2024-02-05 13:28:32 2027-02-05 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Margaux Dupuis
ID:
Assessing the Role of Maternal Social Network Inheritance in the Social Integration of Juvenile Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)
REFNo: NS802ES

I aim to answer the questions: how do maternal dominance rank, age, social network position, and mother-offspring proximity relate to the proximity and grooming networks of their juveniles? Does this differ by offspring sex and/or age?
I hypothesized that maternal social network inheritance occurs and differs by sex and age in vervet monkeys because of (1) mother-offspring proximity, (2) influences of maternal dominance rank and age, (3) patterns of youngest ascendency of female dominance rank in vervets, and (4) female philopatry.
 France 2024-04-19 18:38:19 2027-04-19 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
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