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Viral Pathogens

Lead Research Organisation: London Sch of Hygiene & Tropic. Medicine
Department Name: UNLISTED

Abstract

Infections caused by viruses remain a major public health challenge especially HIV with no vaccine or a cure and emerging and re-emerging infections like SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola. Our close affiliation to Uganda Virus Research Institute which is one of the few institutes in Africa dedicated to virus research, and the strong links to the Uganda Ministry of Health (MOH) enable the Unit to have impact in addressing these infections.
The Viral Pathogen Theme has three focus areas: viral pathogen epidemiology and interventions (VPEI); viral pathogen discovery, diversity and impact on epidemic and disease outcome (VPDD); and oncogenic virus immunovirology (OVI). Our aims and key objectives for each of the above focus areas will include:
1) VPEI: We will undertake research on the epidemiology & prevention of HIV, oncogenic and emerging/re-emerging viral infections, associated co-infections, and studies to improve long-term health conditions.
2) VPDD: We will contribute to the discovery of emerging viruses of public health importance and understand how viral diversity affects epidemics and disease outcome
3) OVI: We will also study oncogenic viruses and their host interactions in order to contribute to cancer prevention and control
In the areas of VPEI and OVI, our work will include rigorous social science research to understand the social determinants of disease, to design appropriate interventions, and to study factors that influence uptake of interventions.

Technical Summary

Infections caused by viruses remain a major public health challenge especially HIV with no vaccine nor a cure and emerging and re-emerging infections like SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola. Our close affiliation to Uganda Virus Research Institute which is one of the few institutes in Africa dedicated to virus research, strong links to the Uganda Ministry of Health enable the Unit to have impact in addressing these viral infections.
The Viral Pathogen Theme has three focus areas: viral pathogen epidemiology and interventions (VPEI); viral pathogen discovery, diversity and impact on epidemic and disease outcome (VPDD); and oncogenic virus immunovirology (OVI). Our aims and key objectives for each of the above focus areas will include:
1) VPEI: To undertake research on the epidemiology & prevention of HIV, oncogenic and emerging/re-emerging viral infections, associated co-infections, and to improve long-term health conditions. The key objectives are to quantify the magnitude and trends of HIV infection and mortality in general and key populations, to inform interventions for HIV prevention and treatment; to quantify the magnitude and trends of SARS-CoV-2 in relation to infecting variants, HIV co-infection, vaccination, and long-term health; to develop new interventions and expand coverage of existing tools for HIV prevention and treatment and to improve the long term health of persons living with HIV; to identify the environmental correlates of viral control of Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in the oral cavity and systemically, to allow development of targeted intervention strategies in the future, to decrease transmission and pathogenicity, thereby reducing the substantial burden of KS in the region.
2) VPDD: To contribute to the discovery of emerging viruses of public health importance and understand how viral diversity affects epidemics and disease outcome. Key objectives are to identify new and re-emerging viruses of potential public health importance; to study the emerging HIV Drug Resistance patterns and their predictors especially in the era of integrase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and PrEP; to investigate how HIV and SARS-CoV2 diversity affect immune protection.
3) OVI: To study oncogenic viruses and their host interactions in order to contribute to cancer prevention and control. We will study the virological and immunological factors that contribute to sustain high levels of KSHV transmission and disease on the continent.
In the areas of VPEI and OVI, our work will include rigorous social science research to understand the social determinants of disease, to design appropriate interventions, and to study factors that influence uptake of interventions.

Organisations

Publications

10 25 50

 
Description 33. Member organising committee International Workshop on HIV Drug Resistance and Treatment Strategies
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact There has been changes in treatment guidelines and how resistance is beginning to develop during the time since Dolutegravir was introduced
 
Description Chair TSC Randomized trial of Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Long-acting in Africa (CARES)
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or improved professional practice
Impact This study has led to recommendations that long acting injectable antiretrovirals can used in individuals who have suppressed and there is preference for these drugs
 
Description Chair of the UVRI-IAVI HIV vaccine Program Board
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact We have been able to advise on the research priorities including vaccine trials. Advised on community engagement issues, fund raising and capacity development
 
Description Chairperson SARS-CoV2/COVID-19 Laboratory Quality Assurance Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact This committee has led to policies and practice on which tests to use, which laboratories to test for SARS-CoV-2 and provided testing panels.
 
Description Chairperson, National Task Force for Laboratory Polio Containment
Geographic Reach Africa 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Guidance on proper disposal of used vaccine vials
 
Description Guidance on HIV hot spots and direction of transmission
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact This has helped in understanding which are the hot spots for HIV, for example we showed that though fishing communities have high HIV prevalence they are not the main source of HIV transmissions in the general population. This has influenced on how prevention is done to spread beyond concentrating on the fishing communities. This has led to better HIV prevention in Uganda
 
Description Guidance to Ministry on which COVID-19 antigen, antibody and PCR kits to use
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
Impact This has guided on the tests to use during the COVID-19 pandemic and guided private sector which kits to import
 
Description I chair the HIV drug resistance Technical working group
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact The work of this committee and the studies it manages have led to changes in HIV treatment guidelines
 
Description Information on the Anthrax outbreak in Southwestern Uganda
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact When it was confirmed that the strange disease that has killed people was anthrax better management of patients were instituted
 
Description Member WHO Pathogen prioritization, Retrovirology group 2023
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Member, National Measles Verification Comiitee
Geographic Reach Africa 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact follow-up of outbreaks, discussoion of outbreak response, preparation of WHO country report,
 
Description Participated in Health Research Priority Ranking Survey towards the Essential National Health Research Agenda
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact Still ongoing, knowledge and information is being gathered
 
Description Provided information on Ebola Sudan outbreak that guided vaccinations
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact There was introduction of vaccines for Ebola Sudan instead of Ebola Zaire and information that the therapeutics for Ebola Zaire would not be effective during this outbreak
 
Description SARSCoV2 variants in Uganda for proper vaccination planning
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact This work has guided on the selection of vaccines for SARSCoV2
 
Description Through membership and provision of advice as a member of the WHO National Measles Verification Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Better coordination of outbreak response, identification of hotspots for enhanced intervention, updates to the minister of health
 
Description Through membership and provision of advice to government as a member of the National Vaccine Development Advisory Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact better understanding of the contribution of research to national development
 
Description Through memership and provision of advice as a member of the WHO National Task Force for laboratory containment of Wild type Poliovirus
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
Impact Safety and biosecurity practices emphasised and trainings provided
 
Description Understanding the cirsulating HIV strains in Uganda
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact By describing and providing information on the circulating HIV subtypes in Uganda, this information is used in HIV vaccine design and treatment. The vaccine, monoclonal antibodies and drugs developed have to be relevant in terns of the HIV strains they target. We are seeing an increase in the proportion of HIV recombinant viruses in Uganda.
 
Guideline Title The revised 2018 HIV treatment guidelines
Description Use of Integrase strand inhibitors (Dolutegravir) as first line due to high Pre-Treatment HIVDR to NNRTIs in the country.
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Citation in clinical guidelines
Impact Uganda and other countries where HIV pre-treatment drug resistance is above 10%, have adopted Dolutegragir ased regimens as the preferred first line ART regimen in women >50 years, adolescent and adult men; and as an alternative second line in the above eligible groups.
 
Description A Phase Ib trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of R21/Matrix-M in African children living with HIV (VAC092)
Amount € 1,095,385 (EUR)
Organisation Serum Institute of India 
Sector Private
Country India
Start 05/2022 
End 06/2024
 
Description A Randomized, Observer-Blind, Phase 2 Clinical Trial of COVAC-2 in Generally Healthy Adults (COVAC-003)
Amount $604,538 (USD)
Organisation University of Saskatchewan 
Sector Academic/University
Country Canada
Start 12/2021 
End 03/2024
 
Description A combination efficacy study in Africa of two DNA-MVA & DNA-protein/adjuvant HIV-1 vaccine regimens with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); "PrEPVacc
Amount € 15,000,000 (EUR)
Funding ID S-RIALoI2015-555 
Organisation Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) 
Department European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership
Sector Public
Country Netherlands
Start 07/2018 
End 07/2024
 
Description Analyzing HIV-1 Reservoir Kinetics, and Host Immune Interactions among non-B subtypes
Amount £680,000 (GBP)
Organisation Francis Crick Institute 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2024 
End 04/2028
 
Description CEPI-CLN: Development and qualification of of Ebola SUDV and Marburg immunogenicity assays (ELISA, ELISpot and Neutralisation)
Amount $1,200,000 (USD)
Organisation Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations 
Sector Learned Society
Country Norway
Start 05/2024 
End 06/2026
 
Description COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and variants in Uganda: a test- negative case-control study with genetic sequencing (COVVAR)
Amount $509,268 (USD)
Organisation World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa 
Sector Public
Country Congo
Start 03/2023 
End 03/2023
 
Description Collaboratory Pilot: SARS-CoV-2 Breakthroughs
Amount $250,000 (USD)
Organisation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United States
Start 11/2024 
End 11/2025
 
Description Collaboratory Platform: Strategies to elicit broadly neutralising antibodies
Amount $150,000 (USD)
Organisation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United States
Start 11/2024 
End 11/2025
 
Description Collaboratory Platform: Unlocking SARS-CoV-2 Immunity for Pan-Coronavirus Immune Therapies.
Amount $150,000 (USD)
Organisation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United States
Start 11/2024 
End 11/2025
 
Description Differences in Epidemiology and antiViral Immune responses across an African NeTwork (DEVIANT). A collbaoration across all GIISER sites
Amount $4,000,000 (USD)
Organisation Science for Africa Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Kenya
Start  
 
Description Global Immunology and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response (GIISER)
Amount $299,997 (USD)
Organisation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United States
Start 08/2021 
End 08/2024
 
Description HIV-PANGEA II : renewal of Phylogenetics and Networks for Generalised HIV
Amount $3,123,714 (USD)
Funding ID INV-007573 
Organisation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United States
Start 11/2017 
End 10/2022
 
Description IAVI ADVANCE: Harmonising NGS sequencing platforms for transmitted viral identification, recombination and signature analyses for contemporary HIV-1 viruses
Amount $370,000 (USD)
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Global
Start 01/2023 
End 12/2024
 
Description IAVI funded through USAID
Amount $100,000,000 (USD)
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Global
Start 06/2016 
End 06/2021
 
Description Immune modulation with pomalidomide in advanced Kaposi sarcoma (IMPALA-KS): a multicentre, multinational randomised controlled non-inferiority trial of oral pomalidomide versus standard intravenous liposomal doxorubicin in resource limited settings
Amount $3,000,000 (AUD)
Organisation National Health and Medical Research Council 
Sector Public
Country Australia
Start 06/2025 
End 06/2030
 
Description Implementing oral and long acting Pre-exposure prophylaxis in mobile men in Sub-Saharan Africa (MOBILE MEN)
Amount € 4,779,208 (EUR)
Organisation European Commission H2020 
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 11/2023 
End 11/2026
 
Description Improving HIV Control in Africa with Long-Acting Antivirals (IMPALA)
Amount $8,046,347 (USD)
Organisation Johnson & Johnson 
Sector Private
Country United States
Start 08/2022 
End 12/2025
 
Description Investigator Initiated Research: Assessment of Suitability of biomedical prevention products against contemporary strains of HIV-1 in India and Uganda
Amount $180,514 (USD)
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Global
Start 11/2023 
End 04/2026
 
Description Investigator Initiated Research: Exploration of the virologic characteristics of recently transmitted viruses in Uganda and Kenya
Amount $150,907 (USD)
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Global
Start 01/2021 
End 12/2024
 
Description Investigator Initiated Research: Using Next Generation Sequencing methodology to improve HIV-1 incidence estimation
Amount $75,000 (USD)
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Global
Start 01/2023 
End 12/2024
 
Description Seeking predictors of vaccine efficacy: identifying correlates of protection to support vaccine development Identifying Rift Valley Fever correlates of protection to support vaccine development
Amount £5,000,000 (GBP)
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2024 
End 08/2029
 
Description Seeking predictors of vaccine efficacy: identifying correlates of protection to support vaccine development PROTECT: Research on Correlates of Protection to generate Effective Filovirus countermeasures with University of Oxford
Amount £5,000,000 (GBP)
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2024 
End 08/2029
 
Description Seeking predictors of vaccine efficacy: identifying correlates of protection to support vaccine development. VacICoP: Chimpanzee Adenovirus Type 3-Vectored Marburg Glycoprotein (GP)-Expressing Vaccine (ChAd3-MARV)-Induced Correlates of Protection
Amount £5,000,000 (GBP)
Organisation Wellcome Trust 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 07/2024 
End 08/2029
 
Description Viral Surveillance and Discovery in Uganda. Abbott Diagnostics
Amount $821,733 (USD)
Organisation Abbott 
Sector Private
Country United States
Start 03/2022 
End 03/2024
 
Title 10x Genomics Technology for underpinning molecular mechanisms for immune responses (gremlins, BCR and TCR) 
Description Characterising BCR and TCR determinants of immunity 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2024 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact local genetic determinants of immunity 
 
Title Focus Reduction Neutralisation test (2025) 
Description Procedures for assessing neutralisation of Mpox 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2025 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact Capacity for new functional assays on Mpox Immunology 
 
Title In-house ELISA 
Description An in-house ELISA for the detection and quantification of antibodies in serum. 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Bioprotocol publication. 
URL https://bio-protocol.org/en/bpdetail?id=4905&type=0
 
Title Single Cell Technologies 
Description 10X technology and single cell sorting, BCR determinants 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2024 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact Development and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies 
 
Title Data for: Changes in self-reported risky sexual behaviour indicators among adults receiving regular risk reduction counselling and optional initiation of pre-exposure prophylaxis in an HIV vaccine preparedness study in Masaka, Uganda 
Description A quantitative dataset collected as part of an on-going HIV vaccine preparedness study "The PrEPVacc Registration Cohort". It contains information on demographic, HIV risk behavioural characteristics and PrEP uptake among participants. Responses cover participants from the Masaka registration cohort who completed at least one year of follow-up in the cohort. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Not known 
URL https://datacompass.lshtm.ac.uk/id/eprint/3403
 
Title Data set for: "Estimating HIV incidence and assessing associated risk factors among adults: Evidence from the 2018-2022 HIV vaccine preparedness cohort in Masaka, Uganda" 
Description A quantitative data set produced as part of the PrEPVacc Registration Cohort, a study to prepare a population of HIV negative individuals at risk of acquiring HIV for possible participation in the PrEPVacc HIV vaccine efficacy trial. Data was collected between July 2018 and December 2022 from a registration cohort located in Masaka, Uganda. Variables cover HIV incidence, and associated demographic and behavioural factors. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2025 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Not known 
URL https://datacompass.lshtm.ac.uk/id/eprint/4608
 
Title Data set for: Challenges in estimating the counterfactual placebo HIV incidence rate from a registration cohort: the PrEPVacc trial 
Description A compiled pseudo-anonymised quantitative dataset collected as part of the PrEPVacc registration cohort and trial. The registration cohort was set up to prepare a population of HIV negative individuals at risk of acquiring HIV for possible participation in the PrEPVacc phase IIB HIV prophylactic vaccine and pre-exposure prophylaxis trial. There are two components to this dataset, firstly the cohort dataset that was used to develop a regression model predicting HIV incidence. Secondly, a trial dataset with the participant characteristics that could be entered in the model and utilised for prediction of HIV incidence that could have occurred if participants in the active-controlled PrEP trial component had never been dispensed PrEP. The PrEPVacc trial was conducted at four study sites in Tanzania (2 sites), South Africa, and Uganda. This dataset is as of 31 Jan 2024. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2024 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Not known 
URL https://datacompass.lshtm.ac.uk/id/eprint/4435
 
Title Data set for: Contraceptive use, prevalence and incidence of pregnancy and associated factors among women participating in a vaccine preparedness cohort study in Masaka, Uganda, a retrospective secondary analysis 
Description A quantitative dataset collected as part of an HIV vaccine trial preparedness study "The PrEPVacc Registration Cohort". The study was set up at sites in Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, and Uganda to prepare a population of HIV negative individuals at risk of acquiring HIV for possible participation in the PrEPVacc HIV vaccine efficacy trial. In Uganda, the study is conducted at the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit's clinical research site in Masaka city, Masaka district. This data set only includes data from the Masaka registration cohort collected between July 2018 and October 2022. It contains information on demographic, HIV risk behavioural characteristics, contraception, and urine pregnancy test results. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2024 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Not known 
URL https://datacompass.lshtm.ac.uk/id/eprint/4212
 
Title Medical survey data to monitor trends in HIV epidemiology and assess the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and associated factors in Central Uganda 
Description An anonymized dataset containing survey responses of 6808 adults, aged 16 or more years, in the General Population Cohort of Central Uganda. Longitudinal data was collected through bi-annual medical surveys to monitor trends in HIV epidemiology, and assess the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and associated factors. Variables include socio-demographic information, update of HPV Vaccination, knowledge of HIV, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, COVID-19 symptoms, the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on health service outcomes, anthropometric measurements, and HIV status. Files will be made available via https://apps.mrcuganda.org/mrcdatavisibility/Home/ 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Unknown 
URL https://datacompass.lshtm.ac.uk/id/eprint/3702
 
Title Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents Living in Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda 
Description Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses a public health burden, yet few studies have assessed co-existence of physical, emotional, and sexual IPV among adolescents. We assessed recent IPV victimization and associated factors and described IPV patterns and perpetrators among young people from urban slums in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted a prospective cohort study among 14 to 19-year-old individuals enrolled from March 2019 to March 2020 and followed quarterly for 12 months. We collected data on socio-demographics, sexual behavior, and substance use through interviews. Recent IPV victimization was documented at all visits if a participant reported experiencing physical, emotional, and/or sexual IPV in the past 3 months. Baseline factors associated with recent IPV victimization were determined using multivariable logistic regression. We enrolled 490 adolescents (60.6% female) with median age 18 years (Interquartile range (IQR) 17-18 years), 91.0% had less than secondary level education. Females mainly engaged in sex work (17.5%) and selling fruits/snacks (9.1%) while males commonly earned from sale of metal scrap or plastic waste (28.5%), 41% reported =10 life-time sexual partners, 16.1% were high-risk alcohol drinkers and 34.9% used illicit drugs in the past 3 months. Overall, 27.8% reported recent IPV victimization (20.0% females) with emotional IPV being common (17.8%). At baseline, recent IPV victimization was associated with high-risk alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.44, 4.58]), reported paid sex in the past 3 months (aOR 1.82; [1.02, 3.22]) and being separated (aOR 2.47; [1.29, 4.73]). Recent IPV victimization declined from baseline to month 9 and increased at month 12 visits which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. IPV victimization is high among young people living in urban slums with emotional IPV being prevalent. IPV interventions are needed and should also address excessive alcohol consumption. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Unknown 
URL https://sage.figshare.com/collections/Prevalence_Perpetrators_and_Factors_Associated_With_Intimate_P...
 
Title Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents Living in Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda 
Description Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses a public health burden, yet few studies have assessed co-existence of physical, emotional, and sexual IPV among adolescents. We assessed recent IPV victimization and associated factors and described IPV patterns and perpetrators among young people from urban slums in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted a prospective cohort study among 14 to 19-year-old individuals enrolled from March 2019 to March 2020 and followed quarterly for 12 months. We collected data on socio-demographics, sexual behavior, and substance use through interviews. Recent IPV victimization was documented at all visits if a participant reported experiencing physical, emotional, and/or sexual IPV in the past 3 months. Baseline factors associated with recent IPV victimization were determined using multivariable logistic regression. We enrolled 490 adolescents (60.6% female) with median age 18 years (Interquartile range (IQR) 17-18 years), 91.0% had less than secondary level education. Females mainly engaged in sex work (17.5%) and selling fruits/snacks (9.1%) while males commonly earned from sale of metal scrap or plastic waste (28.5%), 41% reported =10 life-time sexual partners, 16.1% were high-risk alcohol drinkers and 34.9% used illicit drugs in the past 3 months. Overall, 27.8% reported recent IPV victimization (20.0% females) with emotional IPV being common (17.8%). At baseline, recent IPV victimization was associated with high-risk alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.44, 4.58]), reported paid sex in the past 3 months (aOR 1.82; [1.02, 3.22]) and being separated (aOR 2.47; [1.29, 4.73]). Recent IPV victimization declined from baseline to month 9 and increased at month 12 visits which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. IPV victimization is high among young people living in urban slums with emotional IPV being prevalent. IPV interventions are needed and should also address excessive alcohol consumption. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Unknown 
URL https://sage.figshare.com/collections/Prevalence_Perpetrators_and_Factors_Associated_With_Intimate_P...
 
Title sj-docx-1-jiv-10.1177_08862605231155128 - Supplemental material for Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents Living in Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda 
Description Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-jiv-10.1177_08862605231155128 for Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents Living in Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda by Yunia Mayanja, Onesmus Kamacooko, Jane Frances Lunkuse, Nambusi Kyegombe and Eugene Ruzagira in Journal of Interpersonal Violence 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Unknown 
URL https://sage.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/sj-docx-1-jiv-10_1177_08862605231155128_Supp...
 
Title sj-docx-1-jiv-10.1177_08862605231155128 - Supplemental material for Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents Living in Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda 
Description Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-jiv-10.1177_08862605231155128 for Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents Living in Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda by Yunia Mayanja, Onesmus Kamacooko, Jane Frances Lunkuse, Nambusi Kyegombe and Eugene Ruzagira in Journal of Interpersonal Violence 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Unknown 
URL https://sage.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/sj-docx-1-jiv-10_1177_08862605231155128_Supp...
 
Description Analyzing HIV-1 Reservoir Kinetics, and Host Immune Interactions among non-B subtypes 
Organisation Francis Crick Institute
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Provide samples and infrastructure for laboratory assays
Collaborator Contribution Mentorship during the research project
Impact Research recently commenced
Start Year 2024
 
Description Assessment of suitability of biomedical prevention products against the contemporary strains of HIV-1 in India and Uganda 
Organisation Institute of Bio-Resources and Sustainable Development
Country India 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Collaborative project to characterize contemporary HIV-1 viruses from Uganda
Collaborator Contribution Collaborative project to characterize contemporary HIV-1 viruses from India
Impact Research has recently started
Start Year 2023
 
Description Assessment of suitability of biomedical prevention products against the contemporary strains of HIV-1 in India and Uganda 
Organisation Translational Health Science And Technology Institute
Country India 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Collaborative project to characterize contemporary HIV-1 viruses from Uganda
Collaborator Contribution Collaborative project to characterize contemporary HIV-1 viruses from India
Impact Research has recently started
Start Year 2023
 
Description CHADOX RVF trial 
Organisation Uganda Virus Research Institute
Country Uganda 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Specimen collection and storage, running trial end point assays,
Collaborator Contribution Technical support
Impact Capacity building for endpoint immunogenicity
Start Year 2023
 
Description Capacity building for metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing (mNGS) infrastructure 
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC)
Department MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Research Unit Uganda
Country Uganda 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution MRC Capital bids supported the setting up of an automated library preparation system for metagenomics next generation sequencing applications.
Collaborator Contribution Funders
Impact Facilitates more efficient downstream Next Generation Sequencing applications for pathogen genomics projects.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Collaboration with Ministry of Health 
Organisation Ministry of Health, Uganda
Country Uganda 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Generation of SARS CoV2 sequence data, policy on vaccine usage
Collaborator Contribution Generation of SARS CoV2 sequence data, policy on vaccine usage
Impact Publications, policy
Start Year 2023
 
Description Collaborationwith the Ministry of Health on Research on emerging and re-emeging infections 
Organisation Ministry of Health, Uganda
Country Uganda 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We are conducting surveillance studies for new and re-ermerging viruses. We look for funding, collaborations and conduct some of the studies locally
Collaborator Contribution The Ministry of Health Departments offer the environment to work in different surveillance sites and some epidemiological expertise
Impact Publications, policies, and valuable samples
Start Year 2016
 
Description Cyclic Acquired HIV Drug Resistance Surveillance in Uganda 
Organisation Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution HIV drug resistance genotyping of children and adults on dolutegravir based drug regimens.
Collaborator Contribution Contributions towards protocol development.
Impact Study has found from preliminary results higher level HIV drug resistance to DTG based regimens in persons below 15 years relative to those older than 15 years.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Exploration of the Virologic characteristics of Recently transmitted HIV-1 viruses in Uganda and Kenya 
Organisation Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI)
Country Kenya 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution - Generated transmitted founder viruses using Single Genome amplification - Conducted Signature analyses - Phenotypic characterization of transmitted HIV-1 viruses (co-receptor usage) - Validation of the Oxford Nanopore platform for identification of transmitted viruses
Collaborator Contribution - KAVI provided samples from the acute protocol B cohort from Kenya
Impact - Three manuscripts in-pipeline - Virology, Bioinformatics, Immunology
Start Year 2021
 
Description Global Immunology and Immune Sequencing for Epidemic Response (GIISER) 
Organisation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Profiling the immune response to COVID-19 in Uganda, and immune response to COVID-19 vaccines, Humoral (binding and Neutralisation)assays, Coference presentations, publications,
Collaborator Contribution Access to diverse collaborative platforms and institutions, sharing of an extensive array of research biological reagents, including plasmids for protein expression and Psudovirus production. Acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, including 10x technology, with a focus on monoclonal antibody discovery, structural biology, systems immunology, peptide arrays, and single-cell methodologies to unravel the molecular underpinnings of immune responses against viral infections.
Impact Technology transfer, capacity building, scientific literature, reagent transfer, assay transfer, Peer reviewed publications
Start Year 2023
 
Description HIV Virus Surveillance with IAVI and NICD South Africa 
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
Country Global 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Running immunology assays, (testing fusion peptide supersite on historical and contemporary HIV-viruses)
Collaborator Contribution Funding, trainings , partneships and collaborations with other African collborators including NICD in South Africa, Kilifi Kenya
Impact Capacity building, technology transfer, acquisition of immunology equipment (readers, centrifuges,, freezers)
Start Year 2023
 
Description Harmonising NGS Sequencing platforms for T/F identification, Recombination and signature analysis for contemporary viruses 
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
Country Global 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Genotypic and Phenotypic characterization of transmitted viruses
Collaborator Contribution Financial resources and coordination
Impact -HIV-1 characterization for vaccine development - Enhanced Bioinformatics skilling
Start Year 2023
 
Description IAVI Clinical Trial and Laboratory Program for 2016-2017 
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
Country Global 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution We provide cohorts, epidemiological, clinical and laboratory expertise to this partnership
Collaborator Contribution They provide funds, capacity building and networking with other vaccine Research and Development partners
Impact Publications, training and laboratory infrastructure
Start Year 2017
 
Description IMMPROVE (Immune memory and mechanisms of protection from Vaccines 
Organisation University of Oxford
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Co-Investigator
Collaborator Contribution Provision of capacity building and pump priming grants
Impact Pump priming grants
Start Year 2024
 
Description Imperial College London, collaboration for training on SARS-CoV-2 mAb discovery and characterisation 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution running end point assays for PrEPVacc and COVAC2 trials
Collaborator Contribution Study monitoring oversight, analyses
Impact Capacity building for endpoint immunogenicity
Start Year 2023
 
Description Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine Development Project; pilot studies to optimise preclinical assessment at COVAB, Makerere University 
Organisation Government of Uganda
Country Uganda 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Development of an Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, running of immunology assays, COVID-19 surveillance.
Collaborator Contribution Funding, training, capacity building and acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, including an AktaPure purifier, Luminex, BD Cell sorter, and 10x technology to support monoclonal antibody discovery.
Impact Development of an Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, running of immunology assays, vaccine production equipment.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Kings College London (Monoclonal Antibody Discovery) 
Organisation King's College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution generation of scientific data, scientific literature
Collaborator Contribution Technology transfer, assay and reagent transfer, capacity building.
Impact monoclonal antibody discovery pipeline, cell sorting capacity transfer, assay transfer.
Start Year 2023
 
Description LaJolla Institute for Immunology, Collaborations for mAb discovery and characterisation for Ebola Sudan and Marburg 
Organisation La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Assay development and assessment of longitudinal specimens profiling
Collaborator Contribution Biological reagents, plasmids, pseudoviruses and antigenic probes
Impact Assays optimisation for neutralisation
Start Year 2023
 
Description MOBILE MEN 
Organisation Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Trial coordination and sponsorship, recruitment of study participants, Study monitoring
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in health economics and implementation science, Financial management and reporting, recruitment of study participants
Impact None yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description MOBILE MEN 
Organisation King's College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Trial coordination and sponsorship, recruitment of study participants, Study monitoring
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in health economics and implementation science, Financial management and reporting, recruitment of study participants
Impact None yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description MOBILE MEN 
Organisation London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Trial coordination and sponsorship, recruitment of study participants, Study monitoring
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in health economics and implementation science, Financial management and reporting, recruitment of study participants
Impact None yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description MOBILE MEN 
Organisation Public Assistance - Hospitals of Paris
Country France 
Sector Hospitals 
PI Contribution Trial coordination and sponsorship, recruitment of study participants, Study monitoring
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in health economics and implementation science, Financial management and reporting, recruitment of study participants
Impact None yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description MOBILE MEN 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Trial coordination and sponsorship, recruitment of study participants, Study monitoring
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in health economics and implementation science, Financial management and reporting, recruitment of study participants
Impact None yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description MOBILE MEN 
Organisation University of KwaZulu-Natal
Department KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH)
Country South Africa 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Trial coordination and sponsorship, recruitment of study participants, Study monitoring
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in health economics and implementation science, Financial management and reporting, recruitment of study participants
Impact None yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description MOBILE MEN 
Organisation Wits Health Consortium
Country South Africa 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Trial coordination and sponsorship, recruitment of study participants, Study monitoring
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in health economics and implementation science, Financial management and reporting, recruitment of study participants
Impact None yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description Metagenomics analyses with Glasgow University 
Organisation University of Glasgow
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have provided specimens. We have received sequences generated at Glasgow for analysis at UVRI. We have participated in writing of new research grants. We have worked with the team to present data to the research community and to the local communities in West Nile where a new virus was isolated
Collaborator Contribution They have trained our staff in metagenomics, and contributed to the transfer of technology. Three of our staff have visited Glasgow and a team led by Dr Emma Thompson has also visited us. We are together writing other research grants
Impact In the process of looking for Zika virus, we have also identified other viruses including Le Dantec Rhabdovirus. Metagenomic analysis of the acute plasma RNA revealed a contiguous sequence of 11,423 nucleotides that had a 94% identity with a 1965 LDV strain isolated from a Senegalese girl (DakHD763 strain, KM205006) by phylogenetic analysis. The metagenomics sequence was confirmed by PCR and Sanger sequencing of a 5'-half genome fragment. We have also identified a new virus named Adumi virus, from a girl in West Nile region
Start Year 2015
 
Description Molecular, Serological and Immunological Characterisation of Clade 1b Mpox to Improve Diagnostics for Local and Regional Epidemic Response 
Organisation Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
Country Norway 
Sector Learned Society 
PI Contribution Lead Investigator
Collaborator Contribution Entebbe Hospital, collaborator CEPI, Funder
Impact Determined the Antmicrobacterial resistance patterns
Start Year 2025
 
Description National Institute on Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa on HIV-1 virus Surveillance to determine if new and older strains of transmitted HIV-1 are still sensitive to available broadly neutralising antibodies (bnAbs) 
Organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
Country Global 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Scientific direction and undertaking the research
Collaborator Contribution Coordination, trainings
Impact Data, knowledge, presentation, manuscripts are being written
Start Year 2023
 
Description PANGEA 
Organisation University of Oxford
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This is a collaboration on phylogenetic analysis funded by the BMGF. It has led to capacity building in bioinformatics and understanding HIV transmission nets
Collaborator Contribution Capacity building and networking
Impact Publications and generation of analysis pipelines
Start Year 2014
 
Description PANGEA Consortium Bridge funding 
Organisation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution 1. Investigating the Molecular Epidemiology of HIV in Ugandan populations 2. Reconstruction of HIV transmission networks with the aim of generating information that is intended to guide targeted interventions in key populations
Collaborator Contribution 1. Funding 2. Translating results into information that is actionable to prevention through influencing policy.
Impact 1. Source-sink analysis revealed that the HIV high-risk fishing communities were sinks and not sources of HIV from the general population 2. Men older than 25 years of age contribute majority of new HIV infections.
Start Year 2023
 
Description PrEPVacc 
Organisation European Union
Country European Union (EU) 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Supervision of sites lab functions, Central repository across all sites, Leading on conducting end point assays (binding antibody ELISA), specimen collection and processing.
Collaborator Contribution Funding and partnerships across African collaborations (Tanzania, South Africa and Mozambique)
Impact Capacity building, technology transfer, acquisition of immunology equipment, Publications
Start Year 2023
 
Description Real-time Analysis for the Phylogenetic Interrogation of Drug-resistant HIV clusters (RAPID-HIV) 
Organisation National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Phylogenetic and network analysis of HIV drug resistant clusters in different populations in Uganda.
Collaborator Contribution Contributions towards protocol development.
Impact Information generated on where cluster of HIV drug resistance are likely to emerge in the Ugandan populations that is key in guiding patient care and policy making on the roll-out to ART.
Start Year 2021
 
Description SARS-COV-2 Surveillance in Uganda. 
Organisation Africa Centres For Disease Control And Prevention
Country Ethiopia 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution 1.Genomic sequencing of clinical samples during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2. Providing SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in Uganda
Collaborator Contribution Funding
Impact 1. Generated data on circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in Uganda that guided COVID-19 response. 2. Deposited SARS-CoV-2 genomes in the GISAID database
Start Year 2021
 
Description SMART Trial Mpox Clinical Diagnostics and Sequencing 
Organisation McMaster University
Country Canada 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Our team will receive and test for PCR for all the specimens for study participants from the SMART Study, currently being conducted in the DRC. Will also conduct whole genome viral sequencing for all positive samples identified through this testing.
Collaborator Contribution This study aims to determine if post-exposure administration with a single dose of Modified Vaccinia Bavarian Nordic vaccine can reduce RT-PCR confirmed mpox and symptom severity in household contacts.
Impact 1. Capacity building 2. Collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving Molecular Virology, genomics, bioinformatics, social sciences, etc
Start Year 2024
 
Description Sabin Vaccine Institute, Collaborations on vaccine development and evaluation 
Organisation SABIN Vaccine Institute
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Joint grant applications
Collaborator Contribution Joint grant applications for correlates of protection studies
Impact joint grant applications, sharing of SOPs
Start Year 2023
 
Description Sabin Vaccine Institute, Collaborations on vaccine development and evaluation 
Organisation SABIN Vaccine Institute
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Joint grant applications
Collaborator Contribution Joint grant applications for correlates of protection studies
Impact joint grant applications, sharing of SOPs
Start Year 2023
 
Description Studies of KSHV and EBV in Uganda and Kenya 
Organisation University of Colorado Denver
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I am the Principal Investigator. Colleagues at University of Colorado are intellectual partners and provid immunological support
Collaborator Contribution Partners
Impact Publications
Start Year 2019
 
Description Studies of KSHV in Uganda 
Organisation National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Department National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution I am the Principal Investigator. The National Cancer Institute is a partner organization, providing laboratory support.
Collaborator Contribution Intellectual and laboratory support.
Impact Publications
Start Year 2009
 
Description Superinfection studies 
Organisation Johns Hopkins University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Provision of specimens for testing of our samples for superinfection. Provision of other clinical and epidemiological data
Collaborator Contribution Testing of samples for superinfection using the 454 deep sequencing
Impact Data has been generated on the frequency of HIV superinfection in one of our high risk cohorts. Training of our in data analyses
Start Year 2014
 
Description UVRI CEPI/CLN (Develoment and optimisation of assays to support vaccine development 
Organisation Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
Country Norway 
Sector Learned Society 
PI Contribution Lead Immunologist on Ebola, Marburg and Mpox Immunology protocols
Collaborator Contribution funding and linkages
Impact Assay development and reagent preparation
Start Year 2024
 
Description Use of HIV full length sequencing to characterise HIV epidemics and evaluate interventions 
Organisation University College London
Department UCL Genomics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We provide specimens including clinical and epidemiological data. We also participate in the analysis of data
Collaborator Contribution They provide funds, sequencing of the samples and training in the analyses of large sequence data
Impact Conference Abstracts, paper manuscripts, we have also started analysing of near full length sequencing of HIV sequences within our Uganda Medical Informatics Centre
Start Year 2014
 
Description Using Next Generation Sequencing methodology to improve HIV-1 incidence estimation 
Organisation Ministry of Health, Uganda
Country Uganda 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Full genome sequencing using the bulk pcr approach Bioinformatics analysis using Phylo tsi tool
Collaborator Contribution Acute samples amounting to 150 previously tested with the the Asante kit
Impact Research recently commenced
Start Year 2023
 
Description VacICop (Correlates of Protection from Marburg Virus Disease) 
Organisation SABIN Vaccine Institute
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution I am a co-Investigator
Collaborator Contribution Partners will implement some objectives of this grant, they will provide pump priming grants for students
Impact Project starts in June 2025
Start Year 2025
 
Description VacICop (Correlates of Protection from Marburg Virus Disease) 
Organisation University of Oxford
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution I am a co-Investigator
Collaborator Contribution Partners will implement some objectives of this grant, they will provide pump priming grants for students
Impact Project starts in June 2025
Start Year 2025
 
Description Viral Pathogen Discovery: Mortuary Surveillance 
Organisation Abbott
Department Abbott Diagnostics
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Metagenomics Sequencing and genomic data analysis of autopsy samples.
Collaborator Contribution Funding and capacity building in bioinformatics analyses.
Impact Determining the etiology of diseases of unknown origin in suspected outbreaks in Uganda where deaths area involved.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Viral Surveillance and Discovery in Uganda. Abbott Diagnostics 
Organisation Abbott
Department Abbott Diagnostics
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We perform surveillance for viral infections and discovery of new viruses using metagenomics. In the past we have been able to detect some outbreaks like anthrax using this approach
Collaborator Contribution Abbott has provided funding, bioinformatics pipelines and opportunities for training. UVRI and the Ministry of Health the other partners have provided access to populations and samples, access to laboratories and equipment.
Impact Averhoff F, Berg M, Rodgers M, Osmanov S, Luo X, Anderson M, Meyer T, Landay A, Gamkrelidze A, Kallas EG, Ciuoderis K, Hernandez JP, Henry JH, Osorio J, Lindo J, Deshommes J, Anzinger J, Manasa J, Alkashvili M, Souleyman M, Kaleebu P, Correa-Oliveira R, Solomon S, de Olivera T, Suputtamongkol Y, Cloherty G. The Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition: a unique multi-sector approach adds to global pandemic preparedness efforts. Int J Infect Dis. 2022 Feb 5:S1201-9712(22)00080-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.001.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Virological failure, antiretroviral resistance and genetic diversity among HIV-infected children following the introduction of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) in antiretroviral treatment protocols in Cameroon (RESIST-IN Project) 
Organisation Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon
Department Centre Pasteur du Cameroun
Country Cameroon 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Training: Full genome sequencing to postdoctoral fellow using the Oxford nanopore and Sanger platforms to undertake Virological failure, antiretroviral resistance and genetic diversity studies in paedtric
Collaborator Contribution Following the training, the Post doctoral fellow will set up the sequencing platform in Cameroon to under take Virological failure, antiretroviral resistance and genetic diversity among children.
Impact Not outputs yet. Multidisciplinary: Virology and Bioinformatics
Start Year 2025
 
Title Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine 
Description An inactivated vaccine under pre-clinical trials funded by the Government of Uganda under the Ministry of Science and Technology. 
Type Therapeutic Intervention - Vaccines
Current Stage Of Development Refinement. Non-clinical
Year Development Stage Completed 2023
Development Status Under active development/distribution
Impact Vaccine development pipeline. Transient production of protein antigen. Establishment of a pipeline for inactivated vaccines 
 
Title SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies 
Description Therapeutic; Detection tools 
Type Therapeutic Intervention - Vaccines
Current Stage Of Development Initial development
Year Development Stage Completed 2023
Development Status Under active development/distribution
Impact Potent monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection 
 
Title HIVseqDB: a portable resource for NGS and sample metadata integration for HIV-1 drug resistance analysis 
Description A portable, secure, and user-friendly resource for integrating NGS data with associated clinical and demographic data for analysis of HIV drug resistance. https://github.com/AlfredUg/HIVseqDB 
Type Of Technology Software 
Year Produced 2024 
Open Source License? Yes  
Impact Freely available tools for NGS-based HIV-1 drug resistance analysis do not integrate these data. This poses a challenge in interpretation of the impact of low-abundance drug resistance mutations (LA-DRMs) mainly for resource-limited settings due to the shortage of bioinformatics expertise. To address this challenge, we developed an HIVseqDB, a portable, secure, and user-friendly resource for integrating NGS data with associated clinical and demographic data for analysis of HIV drug resistance 
 
Description A presentation to update members of parliament on progress with COVID-19 vaccine development 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact it was a presentation to update our national legislators on progress with our research and vaccine development
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description ADVANCE Annual Principal Investigators' Meeting 2023. Updates on establishment and use of Viral inhibition assays for vaccine trials 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Annual general meeting to share updates and discuss way forward
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description COVID-19 Variants and Immunology, Insights from Population Responses to COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact visibility and attracting new partnerships
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and variants in Uganda 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Over 50 researchers attended WHO sponsored meeting on COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness studies in Africa and SE Asia. Presented updates on the study in Uganda
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description CREATE Fellows annual symposium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact HIV Drug Resistance surveillance in Uganda
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description CROI 2024, 3-6 March 2024; Distinct Absence of Post-Boost S-IgG Surge in Sub-Saharan African COVID-19 Vaccinee Responses, Jennifer Serwanga, *, Violet Ankunda, Joseph Ssebwana Katende, Jackson Sembera, Laban Kato, Gerald Kevin Oluka, Claire Baine, and Pontiano Kaleebu, on behalf of the COVID-19 Immunoprofiling Team, 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Conference to share updates on HIV and SARS-CoV-2 research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description CROI 2024, Distinct Absence of Post-Boost S-IgG Surge in Sub-Saharan African COVID-19 Vaccinee Responses; Jennifer Serwanga, *, Violet Ankunda, Joseph Ssebwana Katende, Jackson Sembera, Laban Kato, Gerald Kevin Oluka, Claire Baine, and Pontiano Kaleebu, on behalf of the COVID-19 Immunoprofiling Team, 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact To share scientific updates on progress with HIV and SARS-CoV-2 scientific research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.croiconference.org
 
Description Chairing the WHO National Task Force for Laboratory Containment of Wild Poliovirus meetings to discuss status of polio containment as part of the global eradication programme 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Review of safety and containment procedures for laboratories of interest
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023,2024
 
Description Distinct genetic markers linked to HIV-1 Transmitted/Founder viruses originating in East Africa 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact National symposium about HIV that involved several stake holders. Shared evidence from their research, experiences from HIV interventions, strategies and practices in prevention, treatment and overall management of HIV/AIDS.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Eleventh EDCTP Forum 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact HIV drug resistance in Uganda
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Estimating the Effectiveness of DetermineTM HIV Early Detect in detecting Acute HIV-1 Infection 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This presentation was made to policy makers that included the Minister of Health to provide results of the evaluation of a kit that can detect early HIV infection
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Evaluation of the National HIV Testing Services Algorithm 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a presentation to policy makers and other scientists on the outcome of the Evaluation of the National HIV Testing Services Algorithm
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Incidence of Unintended Pregnancy and Associated Factors among Adolescent Girls and Young Women at risk of HIV in Kampala, Uganda. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation sparked questions and discussions on possible further research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Interview for STAT news 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Increased interest in HIV vaccine research and coverage by smaller media houses
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.statnews.com/2023/12/06/aids-hiv-vaccine-fail-prepvacc-africa/
 
Description Interview for STAT news 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Coverage by other media houses
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.statnews.com/2023/12/06/aids-hiv-vaccine-fail-prepvacc-africa/
 
Description Invited Presentation; BMGF, Grand Challenges Annual Meeting 2023 | Dakar, Senegal; Gates of change for country driven epidemic response: Insights from Uganda 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Meeting to discuss updates on epidemic research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/article/grand-challenges-annual-meeting-2023-be-held-dakar-senegal
 
Description Invited Presentation; SOLIDARITY United in solidarity against filovirus threats Building research readiness for a future filovirus outbreak 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Meeting to discuss epidemic preparedness
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Invited presentation, CEPI Tech Talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact We were invited to present to CEPI our current work on outbreak investigations and capacity and progress with immunosuirveillance. We were encouraged to apply for the CEPI-Welcome grant on correlates pot protection
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Media coverage - PrEPVacc vaccine trial results release at ICASA 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The PrEPVacc trial results presented at the ICASA conference (202) was covered by the Guardian news paper under the headline "HIV vaccine trial in Africa halted after disappointing initial results"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/dec/07/prepvacc-hiv-trial-africa-halted-after-di...
 
Description Media coverage of PrEPVacc trial 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact CNN story on PrEPVacc trial under headline "A trial is underway that could be 'the last roll of the dice' for an HIV vaccine this decade"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/28/health/prepvacc-hiv-vaccine-trial-spc-scn-intl/index.html
 
Description Mpox testing and genetic characterisation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a presentation at Makerere University of Mpox testing and genetic characterisation
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Mpox testing and genetic characterisation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a presentation at Makerere University of Mpox testing and genetic characterisation
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Mpox testing and genetic characterisation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a presentation at Makerere University of Mpox testing and genetic characterisation
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Nation Television Uganda (NTV) interview on HIV Drug Resistance in Uganda 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Speaking on the current status of HIV drug resistance in Uganda and how it impacts on patient care in the country.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description National Science Week 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A five day session to update the general public and stakeholders on the progress with preparations of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in Uganda
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://nsw.sti.go.ug
 
Description PANGEA Consortium Annual meeting 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The goal of the PANGEA HIV consortium is to use phylogenetics to identify the populations that are most at risk of becoming infected with HIV and most at risk of passing on the virus. With a lot of data and publications generated over the years across multiple sites, the purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm how these results can be translated into policies that are actionable to HIV prevention.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Pandemic Science Conference; Coronavirus disease-19 induces moderate cytokine expressions among mild and asymptomatic individuals in Uganda; Kalyebi Arthur Watelo, Ankunda Violet, Ssali Ivan, Oluka Gerald Kevin, Obondo James Sande, Ben Gombe, The COVID-19 Immuno-profiling Team, Kaleebu Pontiano, Serwanga Jennifer 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A conference to share updates on epidemic preparedness research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://fitwise.eventsair.com/pandemic2023/
 
Description Panel discussion "How to speed up assay development" focusing on best practice, challenges and bottle necks and possible solutions. CEPI Face to Face meeting, Rome, 9-10 July 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Closer collaborations with participating partners
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description PrEPVacc Annual Investigators meeting, Zanzibar, 2004; Update on endpoint immunogenicity assays assessments 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Discussing progress and planning wayforwrd for the PrEPVacc Vaccine trial
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description PrEPVacc: An in-depth look at the trial, and what's next 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Attended by close to 100 media practitioners and activists who asked lots of interesting questions
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://avac.org/blog/upcoming-webinars-and-workshops-you-wont-want-to-miss/
 
Description PrEPVacc: design, implementation, baseline results, and current status, Harare, Zimbabwe - ICASA 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The presentation sparked a lot of media interest and requests for interviews and was reported on by major news outlets including CNN, the Guardian, STAT news
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation at the Gambia Unit anniversary 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I presented on the SARS CoV-2 variants in Uganda and evaluation of testing kits
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation at the LSHTM week 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We presentation on the state of SARS CoV-2 at the LSHTM week
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022,2023
 
Description Setting up a Research Museum: The UVRI Experience 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Setting up a Research Museum: The UVRI Experience. This was a presentation at an international conference on archives that was organized by Makerere University
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Spike-Directed IgG Elevation Correlates with Robust IgG Antibody Response Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 S2 Spike Subunit for Viral Immunity; Claire Baine, Jackson Sembera, Geoffrey Odoch, Maria Bafumba, Gerald Kevin Oluka, Violet Ankunda, Laban Kato, Joseph Ssebwana Katende, COVID-19 Immunoprofiling Team, Pontiano Kaleebu, Jennifer Serwanga 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact It was a scientific Immunology conference conference to share update on scientific progress in the field
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://iuis2023.org
 
Description TV presentation on SARSCoV-2 variants in Uganda 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I presented on the state of SARS CoV-2 in Uganda including the variants that exist
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021,2022,2023
 
Description Talk at the 5th European Congress on Infectious Diseases London, United kingdom 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The intended purpose of the meeting was to discuss and share information on effective strategies to prepare and respond to future pandemic threats.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description The National HIV and AIDS Scientific Meeting, 14th - 16th November 2023; Diminished Sensitivity of Historical and Contemporary HIV-1 Strains to Fusion Peptide Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bnAbs) may Call for A Reassessment of bnAbs Efficacy, Laban K, Susan M, Joseph Ssebwana Katende, Gerald Kevin Oluka, Yunia Mayanja, Sheila Balinda, Pontiano K, Jennifer S 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We presented our study findings of " Diminished Sensitivity of Historical and Contemporary HIV-1 Strains to Fusion Peptide Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bnAbs) may Call for A Reassessment of bnAbs Efficacy"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://uac.go.ug/index.php?option=com_sppagebuilder&view=page&id=43&Itemid=351
 
Description Understanding the Uganda HIV Epidemic 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact This was a presentation at the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Inaugural Science Conference
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025
 
Description Using a registrational cohort to estimate background HIV incidence for an active-controlled pre-exposure prophylaxis trial: Lessons from PrEPVacc 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation was part of a panel on the topic estimating counterfactual HIV incidence, followed by many questions from the audience
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Validation of the Oxford Nanopore for identification of transmitted founder viruses 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Interractive and informative exhibition where the scientist show cased key information about the unit and its progress in HIV research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Virologic characteristics of contemporary HIV-1 transmitted viruses in Uganda & Kenya 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Platform for Principal investigators to discuss respective research progress regarding HIV-1 vaccine development from Africa and India
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Virus Surveillance Pangea workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Build capacity within the Virus Surveillance project team by training our CRCs, scientific investigators on machine learning and data analysis tools
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description WHO National Measles Verification committee to discuss measles outbreaks and response outcomes 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Discuss measles outbreaks and response outcomes
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023,2024