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  
Elliot Avila Vicente
ID:
Study on the Adoption of Electric Pressure Cookers
REFNo: SS1842ES

1. To quantify the contribution of EPCs to overall household electricity consumption
2. To assess the effects of reducing the price of electricity on the usage of EPCs
3. To assess the effects of increasing households’ access to data about electric cooking costs on
their usage of EPCs
 USA 2023-07-14 10:01:09 2026-07-14 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Yang Jae Lee
ID: UNCST-2021-R012449
 Mental Health Stigma in Rural Uganda
REFNo: SS1860ES

D. Radio Drama's Effects on Stigma: Develop a radio drama designed to communicate de-stigmatizing information about mental health and measure differences in stigma and likelihood of seeking treatment among those exposed to radio theater and those not exposed. ,C. Attitudes and Stigma towards Mental Illness in Healthcare Seeking Population: To evaluate both the prevalence of and attitudes and stigma towards mental illness in healthcare seeking population to assess their subjective reasons for seeking healthcare and currently accesible treatment modalities for mental distress. Through illuminating the current definitions and practices for mental illness, future interventions can be targeted to build upon current community definitions and structures for mental illness. ,B. Stigma and Suicidality: Evaluate experience of individuals with history of suicidality and their families to understand current practices and attitudes, as well as stigma experienced from disclosure of suicidality. Stigma of suicidality could impact treatment seeking as well as recurrence of suicidality, and it is critical to understand it.,A. Pathways to Care: To assess mental health attitudes, practice, stigma and the feasibility of collaboration among key individuals on potential pathways to care including traditional healers, families of individuals with mental illness, individuals with mental illness, health workers, and religious leaders through qualitative and quantitative, or mixed, methods. Elucidating pathways to care is critical for finding bottlenecks in obtaining treatment for future interventions. A particular focus will be developing ageement on potential forms of collaboration acceptable to the different parties. ,
 USA 2023-08-07 15:23:20 2026-08-07 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Nicole  Eggers
ID:
Refuge in the Spirit: Religion in the Lives of Congolese Refugees
REFNo: SS1915ES

The project will investigate the significance of religion at different junctures of the Congolese refugee experience. We will conduct interviews among those still living in refugee camps in Kenya and Burundi, as well as among those who have left the camps — either to be repatriated to Congo, or to be resettled in the United States. We will look at the role of mainstream, transnational, internationally connected religious communities as well as smaller, non-denominational, and independent churches. This multi-sited, multi-confessional (i.e., concerning multiple religious identities) approach will allow us to feature a diversity of refugee perspectives and offer a more comprehensive understanding of refugee experiences than can be found in existing studies. At the same time, our qualitative, oral history/ethnographic approach to the research will allow us to highlight the many contingencies of individual experience and consider how other aspects of refugee identity — such as gender, age, or ethnicity — intersect with religion. Thus, this research seeks to attain the following specific objectives:
1. To establish and document from lived experiences of Congolese refugees the ways in which they navigate their flight experiences.
2. To understand the role religion and/or spirituality play in the lives of Congolese refugees (or repatriated refugees) in different geographic locations (USA, Kenya, Burundi, and Congo)
3. To analyze different refugees’ resilience mechanisms in coping with their flight experiences.
 USA 2023-08-03 16:05:45 2026-08-03 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Anita Shankar Vernekar
ID: UNCST-2022-R009291
 SEE-Change Evaluation - assessing impacts of personal agency training to advance entrepreneurial outcomes in Uganda
REFNo: SS1955ES

Assess social spillover impacts of the training on depression, anxiety and stress, experience of gender-based violence and changes in gender norms and attitudes.,Assess changes in personal agency and flourishing as determined through personal goal setting and psychometric measurements of self-esteem, self-confidence, grit and flourishing.,Assess changes in business related outcomes including improved sales and profit, enhanced business skills and behaviors, and business-related goal setting,The main objective of this study is to compare the impact of personal agency and business training curricula on business-related outcomes, personal agency and flourishing, and social spillover impacts, and to assess the effectiveness of each training program in achieving these outcomes.,
 USA 2023-09-19 8:04:14 2026-09-19 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Catherine Carlson
ID: UNCST-2023-R007222
 Sharing HaRT in New Expanses (SHINE)
REFNo: SS2002ES

Understand potential barriers and facilitators to future implementation and scale-up.,Explore participant characteristics (e.g., age, trafficking history, food security) that may moderate the intervention effectiveness.,Determine effectiveness of the Move with HaRT intervention on PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms among survivors of human trafficking in Uganda,To evaluate the mental health impact of Move with HaRT with human trafficking survivors in Uganda.,
 USA 2024-06-12 15:35:44 2027-06-12 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Naigwe Kalema Lee
ID:
Global Governance’s Influence on Public-sector Digital Transformation: A case study of the digital “Identity for Development” (ID4D) Initiatives and national digital identity ecosystems in Kenya & Uganda
REFNo: SS1963ES

More research investigating the global “digital transformation for development” (DX4D) policy in a contextual manner is needed. The research seeks an understanding of the progress, challenges, and opportunities surrounding public-sector digital transformation. Hence, in order to examine the evolution, this research attempts to explore and discuss the underlying global governance factors and dynamics that influence the policy formulation and implementation of public-sector digital transformations in the area of digital identity. The project seeks to gain insights and perspectives on the influential linkages between global governance, public administration, and public-sector digital transformation processes. Objectives The overall aim of the research is to understand how global governance and government actors can foster equitable and inclusive approaches to public sector digital transformation. The research objectives are detailed in the following: Draw insights through an analysis of the dynamics that structure such engagements and investigate how powerful countries and global governance actors influence PSDT. Understand how the PSDT and DPI linked to digital identity influence public administration reform processes, particularly the digital and dynamic capabilities of public organisations. Understand how the PSDT and DPI linked to digital identity influence public value and well-being.
 USA 2023-11-13 11:56:15 2026-11-13 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Krista Milich
ID: UNCST-2023-R007368
 The Human-wildlife Interface: Disease dynamics and pandemic prevention
REFNo: NS645ES

Continued long-term observations of red colobus monkey behavioral ecology and physiology combined with community outreach work and participatory action research aims to identify health risks to people and nonhuman primates in and around Kibale National Park, Uganda.
USA 2023-10-23 12:38:01 2026-10-23 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Jamon Van Den Hoek
ID: UNCST-2023-R006549
 Multi-sensor Mapping of Refugee Agricultural Land-Cover/Land-Use Change Hotspots in Uganda
REFNo: A414ES

Map changes in crop area and type in refugee-hosting districts with multi-sensor satellite time series analysis and transfer learning.
 USA 2024-05-14 9:03:35 2027-05-14 Agricultural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Kirsten Beyer M
ID: UNCST-2021-R013472
 Preventing Cervical Cancer among Females in Sex Work
REFNo: SS1990ES

Test and refine the intervention iteratively through implementation cycles using the CFIR framework and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to identify barriers and solutions for implementation and scale-up,Develop a cervical cancer prevention and control intervention for FSW in Kampala Uganda, using the Consolidated Framework for Intervention Research (CFIR) and supported by a community advisory board (CAB),Describe demographics, risk behaviors, previous HIV/HPV/Cervical cancer screening, knowledge and attitudes among 300 FSW seeking DIC services and document current DIC cervical cancer screening referral practices for these women,The general objective is to develop and test an intervention targeting HPV testing and cervical cancer screening and treatment among FSW seeking services at two DIC in Kampala, Uganda, and compare this new intervention to current practice (questionnaire-based referral to cervical cancer screening) at the DIC,
 USA 2023-12-13 12:30:31 2026-12-13 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Andrea Spray Lynn
ID: UNCST-2023-R007304
 Mmeka? Crowdsourcing food prices in Kampala, Uganda
REFNo: SS2107ES

To describe the variability in prices of foods that comprise a healthy diet in Kampala, Uganda,To compare food prices obtained via innovative versus traditional data collection methods in Kampala, Uganda.,To pilot innovative methods (Jumia and crowdsourcing via Poket) of food price data collection in Kampala, Uganda.,
 USA 2023-11-20 15:20:16 2026-11-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Laura Johnson
ID:
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots: Growing Youth Purpose and Compassionate Action in Africa - An Exploration of Program Practices and Cultural Perspectives
REFNo: SS1995ES

We aim to answer the following research questions: (1) How does involvement with R&S impact the development of youth character virtues, purpose, and civic/community commitment? (2) How do particular program features and experiences (including service-learning best practices, participation in mapping/photovoice) relate to the development of virtues in youth? (3) How do particular program experiences (involvement in a community of practice (COP), participation in community mapping) impact adult R&S mentors and volunteers? (4) What character virtues are culturally and contextually important and relevant for Sub-Saharan African youth?

 USA 2024-03-20 15:38:48 2027-03-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Matthew Bird
ID:
Preventing fraud via mobile phone interactive narrative games in Uganda
REFNo: SS2152ES

To increase the reporting of fraud complaints,To reduce the incidence of financial fraud victimization,To increase the sense of self-efficacy for recognizing and reducing incidence of financial fraud. ,To improve knowledge and skills for recognizing and reducing incidence of financial fraud. ,To evaluate the impact of a scalable, interactive narrative edutainment intervention on how consumers in Uganda recognize and respond to fraud attempts.,
 USA 2023-11-20 14:58:52 2026-11-20 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Meseret Hailu F.
ID:
Women’s Pursuit of Undergraduate Engineering Degrees in Eastern Africa: Exploring Higher Education Retention in Uganda.
REFNo: SS2062ES

The objective of the research project is to identify the salient patterns, themes, and trends in engineering laboratories that encourage women to persist in their majors at Makerere University.
USA 2023-12-21 21:36:06 2026-12-21 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Sarah Lofgren
ID: UNCST-2019-R001647
 Supervised Treadmill intervention to Reduce Inflammation and Depression through Exercise in HIV: The STRIDE Pilot Study
REFNo: HS3358ES

The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of an aerobic intervention via a treadmill among individuals with HIV and depression in Uganda.
3.1 Primary Endpoint: Feasibility and acceptability of Exercise as a treatment for depression in Ugandans with HIV. This will be measured by:
-Percent completion of the prescribed aerobic exercise intervention, as assessed by research staff logging participation.

3.2 Secondary Endpoint(s)/ Outcome(s):
- acceptability of the intervention assessed via a post intervention survey
-feasibility and acceptability of using a wearable exercise tracker to assess the volume of exercise, based on calories burned and steps achieved, during the intervention period among Ugandans with HIV and depression.
- measure the mean and standard deviation of baseline and 8-week serum BDNF and IL-6 level to estimate an effect size and power a future study.
- measure the mean and standard deviation of baseline and 8-week depression score via PHQ-9 to estimate an effect size and power a future study.
- measure the mean and standard deviation in aerobic fitness baseline and at 8 weeks measured via METS/watts achieved and total time/distance to estimate the effect size for a future intervention.
USA 2024-02-26 13:41:23 2027-02-26 Medical and Health Sciences Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Sarah Juster
ID: UNCST-2023-R007855
 The Role of Trees in Displacement Settings: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding Household-Level Perspectives Among Hosts and Refugees in Northwest Uganda
REFNo: SS2241ES

Conduct research analysis and return findings to participants in the form of a community map and forest product brochure,Conduct transect walks with 120 firewood collection study participants to gauge where and why firewood is collected, and any other important forest products obtained along the way,Conduct sketch mapping with firewood collection study participants for cognitive preparation before embarking on the firewood collection route,Study the experience of firewood collection for 120 refugee and host national participants,Analyze study results to present information to non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders (including the Office of the Prime Minister) on the subjective benefits and experiences of individuals participating in TBIs, and a sub-group of individuals without TBI exposure.,Conduct a mixed-methods Q-Methodology study to improve understanding of participant benefits and preferences as related to TBIs,Recruit 180 participants of three TBIs as well as 60 individuals not involved in TBIs from Imvepi and surrounding villages,Study the household-level impact of Tree-Based Intervention (TBI) participation for 240 refugee and host nationals,
 USA 2023-12-19 10:56:31 2026-12-19 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Degree Award
Sydney Gourlay
ID:
Advancing methods for measuring agricultural productivity in household surveys
REFNo: SS2185ES

In a world with increasing climate change and intensifying food insecurity, agricultural productivity is central to development. Increasing agricultural productivity requires a detailed understanding of cultivated land and its limitations, and how these shortcomings can be addressed. Towards this end, getting more reliable data on land quality and quantity, two critical elements in agricultural production, is essential for accurately estimating agricultural productivity indicators like crop yield as well as for correctly identifying key agricultural relationships, such as the often-cited inverse land size-productivity relationship. Recent technological advancements both in the areas of in field soil measurement as well as GPS-based area measurement offer promises to this respect. However, there is a need to test and validate some of the most promising methods to assess their cost-effectiveness and potential for scalability in the context of large-scale surveys and vis-à-vis more traditional improved approaches such as the elicitation of subjective and observational information in household level questionnaires.

The primary objectives of this study are:
1. Improve the measurement of agricultural productivity in household surveys
2. Test and validate innovative methods for soil health and land area measurement in the context of household surveys
3. Assess cost-effectiveness of the different methods for scaling up in national surveys

The objectives, methods and relevant literature are presented in the proposal (attached), by domain of research: soil health, land area measurement, and agricultural production measurement.

 USA 2023-12-22 22:53:15 2026-12-22 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Aaron Sandel
ID:
Deep bonding: A new science of affect in wild primates
REFNo: NS805ES

Initiate a new paradigm for studying relationships in wild primates through the scientific study of “emotions” or affective states. Study three key species for investigating social bonds: chimpanzees and baboons in Kibale National Park and gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We will combine behaviour, hormones, and psychophysiology methods. This builds on my long-term study of chimpanzees at Ngogo (The development of social bonds in male chimpanzees).
 USA 2024-06-12 15:39:23 2027-06-12 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Melissa Hawkins TR
ID: UNCST-2023-R006088
 A survey of the mammals of the Ajai Wildlife Reserve before, during and after large mammal reintroductions.
REFNo: NS710ES

The small mammals of Uganda have been fairly well studied in some regions of the country, but northern regions lack modern survey data documenting species occurrences. The Ajai Wildlife Reserve is located close to a very important historical ‘type’ location, Rhino Camp, where many original species descriptions were made. Most of these specimens, however, are very old, lack associated molecular tissues, and confound taxonomic advancements in many groups (particularly rodents and shrews). Additionally, per conversations with collaborators and rangers, we have come to learn that large mammal reintroductions are planned for Ajai. Conducting surveys before and after any reintroductions will allow us to evaluate changes through time associated with reintroducing extirpated species to this reserve.
 USA 2024-02-29 17:04:45 2027-03-01 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Jacob Negrey Douglas
ID:
Multisystem aging patterns in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) living at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda
REFNo: NS727ES

To better understand the biological and ecological forces that shape primate aging, we will assess both longitudinal and cross-sectional, age-related patterns of social, physiological, and physical variation in adult chimpanzees of the notably long-lived groups at Ngogo, Kibale National Park, Uganda. This project will integrate behavioral, genetic, endocrinological, immunological, and microbial data collected from wild chimpanzees. We will combine tried-and-tried observational and laboratory analyses with innovative, noninvasive omics-based approaches to studying physiological function. The proposed research will elucidate the advantages and limitations of wild chimpanzees as models of human health and aging and build an extensive multisystem dataset for future comparative chimpanzee research. The three primary goals of this research are outlined below: 1) Characterize cross-sectional and longitudinal aging trajectories across functional domains. How do functional domains vary in the timing and rate of age-related decline? Do some systems (e.g., physical function, immune function) exhibit later onset and/or slower rates of decline than do others? 2) Determine the extent of sex biases in aging trajectories in Ngogo chimpanzees. Given that female chimpanzees at Ngogo have greater life expectancies at birth than do males [25], do female chimpanzees also show slower or delayed rates of aging across most / all functional domains? Are aging effects more pronounced in some functional domains than others, and if so, which domains show greater sex biases? 3) Develop methods to noninvasively study chimpanzee aging. Given that the study of wild chimpanzees is strictly noninvasive, we will continue to develop, validate, and implement new methods for studying aging across a range of functional domains. Notably, we will continue to refine the use of video recordings to measure walking speeds, which are an invaluable measure of physical function in humans and nonhuman primates alike [32, 33]. We will develop new urinary biomarkers for use in wild chimpanzee studies including biomarkers of neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer’s-associated neuronal thread protein) and physical function (e.g., urinary pentosidine). Finally, we will validate and implement the study of genetic material from chimpanzee saliva samples, including bacterial and epigenetic information, by collecting and subsequently analyzing chimpanzee saliva samples onsite at Ngogo using transportable sequencing equipment (MinION Mk1C sequencer, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Oxford, UK).
 USA 2024-01-29 14:57:37 2027-01-29 Natural Sciences Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
Mallory Holding Anne
ID:
Play Our Part (PoP) project primary data collection on effective engagement strategies with policymakers to support Learning through Play (LtP) in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
REFNo: SS2399ES

To gather data to help answer the PoP CoP learning question 3A: Which Engagement Strategies with Policymakers lead to the creation of enabling environments for LtP in Centre-based systems. ,Identify which advocacy approaches policymakers have found most effective.,Determine the way in which partners are currently engaging in national level advocacy activities and their definition of effectiveness.,Identify effective strategies for engaging policymakers on LtP in ECCE systems. ,
 USA 2024-02-26 13:42:34 2027-02-26 Social Science and Humanities Non-Clinical Trial Non-degree Award
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