Makerere University held its inauguration

ceremony on the 30th April 2109. The

institute however has been in existence for

four years. MLI was the brainchild of its

current director, Dr. Bruce Kirenga, who

worked alongside fellow lung health

professionals in Mulago and abroad to start

an institute that would bring more attention

to chronic lung diseases. Thus, there was

plenty of reason to celebrate at MLI’s

inauguration ceremony that was preceded

by a two-day international lung science

symposium. In this issue, we being you

highlights form the occasion that was

graced by the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr.

Jane Ruth Aceng.

Physical activity is crucial in addressing the

non-communicable disease burden which

include chronic lung diseases. The Ministry

of Health organised the national day of

physical activity and MLI joined other

stakeholders to commemorate this day.

This quarterly newsletter is available on

MLI’s website: mli.mak.ac.ug. For any

comments or questions please reach out to

the editorial team.

Volume 2 Issue 3 July 2019

Dear Readers,

MLI organised a two-day event during which we held the 1st

International Lung Science Symposium and the institute’s

inauguration ceremony. As we celebrate this milestone, we look

back at some of MLIs achievements in addressing the problem

of the lung diseases epidemic in Uganda such as preforming

pioneer studies on air pollution (including indoor air pollution)

and participating in national lung disease surveys such as the

National asthma survey, National tuberculosis survey, chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease surveys, among others. MLI

Dr. Jasper Nidoi

Health Economist

STREAM trial

jjnidoi@gmail.com

Denis Muwonge

Data manager

GECO project den22fra@gmail.com

Dr. Simon Walusimbi

Co-investigator

Exit-TB

simonwalusimbi@gmail.com

has also developed and implemented respiratory medicine

training programs for primary health care providers and

initiated super specialized skills training programs.

In line with our mission, we opened a translational chest clinic

which offers clinical services found in very few centres in

Africa such as a sleep disorders clinic and lab, pulmonary

function testing, allergy testing and pulmonary rehabilitation

among others.

Moving forward, MLI will harness opportunities that exist

while creating others, advocate for the inclusion of lung health

medicines in the essential medicines kits and expand its

collaboration base.

I wish you an enjoyable read

Science for healthy lungs as we build for the future

Editorial team

CELEBRATORY MOOD: From left to right, Prof Thys van der Molen, Dr. Federik van Gemert, Dr. Bruce Kirenga, Prof.

William Bazeyo, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Dr. Rupert Jones, Dr. Doreen Birabwa-Male and Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe

cutting cake at the Institute Launch, Deans Gardens, MakCHS

Story on page 2

Makerere University Lung Institute Inauguration

Dr. Bruce J Kirenga

• MLI inauguration ceremony and first international lung science symposium

Inside this issue • Interview with

with PhD Fogarty Fellow, Adaeze Wosu

• MLI commemorates National Day of Physical Activity

2

Makerere University Lung Institute Newsletter July 2019

The first panel discussion was held

under the theme ‘Uganda’s health

system’s readiness to provide universal

lung health coverage.’ Dr. Diana Atwine,

the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry

of Health was among the panellists and

she encouraged researchers to present

research findings to the MoH and

development partners as early as

clinic as some of the available tests were

underutilised.

The inauguration ceremony was

preceded by the 1st International Lung

Science Symposium during which

scientists presented key research findings

on lung health topic. Two high level

panel discussions were held which

included researchers and policy makers.

I n an event officiated by the Minister

of Health, Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng, the

Makerere University Lung Institute

(MLI) held a series of activities to

commemorate its inauguration. The

ceremony was held on Tuesday 30th

April 2019, in the Dean’s Gardens at the

College of Health Sciences, Makerere

University. The minister appreciated the

management of the Makerere University

and MLI’s international partners for

bearing the vision to build the Makerere

University Lung Institute, the second

institute of its kind in Africa. She also

noted that MLI is ‘poised to carry out

research, innovations and capacity

building of Ugandan doctors to manage

pulmonary diseases.’

In his keynote address, Prof. Thys van

der Molen, a member of MLI’s Board of

Directors, noted that in comparison to

the number of deaths from HIV, asthma

deaths per week more than double HIV

deaths and the deaths from chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

are about five times HIV deaths. Asthma

and COPD account for more deaths than

HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis

combined. This highlights the growing

burden of non-communicable lung

diseases in Uganda and the need to

develop effective strategies to ameliorate

suffering and death from these diseases.

Prof. William Bazeyo, the university’s

Deputy Vice Chancellor, applauded the

College of Health Sciences for setting up

the Lung Institute and noted that this

would have a positive impact on the

research output of the university which

currently ranks second in Africa.

Following the speeches, the guests were

invited to take a tour of the MLI

premises. This included a tour of the MLI

clinic, showcasing the pulmonary

function testing unit which offers

services such as spirometry, the sleep

disorders clinic and lab and the newly

constructed pulmonary rehabilitation

unit. In his address, Dr. Bruce Kirenga,

MLI’s director, noted the need to increase

awareness of the services offered at the

Makerere University Lung Institute’s Inauguration Ceremony

MLI TOUR: Dr. Bruce Kirenga -Director, MLI taking Prof. William Bazeyo and Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng - Minister of

Health, Uganda on a tour of the MLI premises

MLI TOUR: Prof. William Bazeyo -Deputy Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng - Minister of

Health, Uganda and Dr. Bruce Kirenga cutting the ribbon at the entrance of the MLI premises as Prof Thys van der Molen,

Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe, Dr. Doreen Birabwa-Male, Dr. Rebecca Nantanda and Dr. Sabrina Kitaka look on.

3

Makerere University Lung Institute Newsletter July 2019

pollution on several body systems such

as the lung and heart. Dr. Waiswa from

NEMA noted the need for political will

and multisectoral collaboration to

harness the opportunities and address

the challenges faced in reducing air

pollution.

By Dr. Jasper Nidoi

highlighted the work KCCA was doing

to monitor air quality within the city and

also presented plans by KCCA to

improve air quality by enhancing public

transport, establishing pedestrian areas,

setting up a centralised traffic control

unit and upgrading city roads to reduce

traffic congestion. Dr. Bruce also

highlighted the multifaceted effects of air

possible to facilitate early lobbying of

funds for implementing evidence-based

strategies.

The second panel discussion under the

theme ‘breathe clean air for a healthy

future’ drew panellists from the US

embassy, NEMA, KCCA including its

executive director Eng. Andrew Kitaka

and researchers from MLI. Eng. Kitaka

AIR QUALITY PRESS CONFERENCE DURING SYMPOSIUM: Dr. Bruce Kirenga, Dr. Lynn Atuyambe

(MakSPH) , Dr. Lisa Mills (CDC), Eng Andrew Kitaka (KCCA), Dr. Tom Okorut (NEMA)

(TOP) PULMONARY REHABILITATION UNIT: Dr. Bruce Kirenga

interacts with guests during a tour of the pulmonary rehabilitation block

(LEFT ) MLI CLINIC TOUR: Dr. Jaliah Nanyonga and Sr. Susan Aketch

take Prof. William Bazeyo and Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng on a tour of the

MLI clinic facilities

NETWORKING: Guests interacting during the Institute launch in the Deans Gardens,

MakCHS

IST INTERNATIONAL LUNG SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM: Participants attending a one of the

symposium session in the Davis Lecture Theatre, MakCHS

SPEECHES: The Chairperson, Symposium and Launch Committee - Dr.

Ivan Kimuli addressing guests during the Institute launch

4

Makerere University Lung Institute Newsletter July 2019

here in Uganda has exponentially

increased my appreciation of context. In

my work, I have been amazed at the

unique ethical, administrative, and

logistical considerations that come with

research in Uganda. On a personal level,

my beliefs, assumptions and

understanding of the world are

challenged daily, and my knowledge

undergoes continuous expansion. There

is so much to gain from daily interactions

with people and places that you don’t get

from just reading the literature. I have

benefitted from being in an environment

like MLI by having great mentorship and

colleagues. I enjoy the diversity of

research topics at the Institute (air

pollution, TB, asthma, COPD, clinical

trials, microbiome, genomics) and the

frequent opportunities to learn and

exchange ideas—from the weekly journal

clubs, field activities, monthly Day of

Lung Science, and involvement in study

design, statistical analysis and

interpretation of study findings.

What’s our favorite thing about MLI?

It’s difficult to pick just one thing. But

top of the list is the environment, and the

people here at MLI. Mentors and

colleagues are very supportive. I also

enjoy the science, collegiality and

liveliness at MLI, and how opposing

views are discussed in a respectful

manner.

through how I could answer the

questions of interest.

How did you get connected with MLI?

I got connected through the Johns

Hopkins Center for Global Non-

communicable Diseases Research and

Training. After speaking with

researchers there about my emerging

interest in air pollution in Uganda, I was

connected to Dr. Bruce Kirenga. During a

visit to Kampala in 2017, I discussed my

research ideas with him. He liked them

and was willing to collaborate and

provide mentorship to me.

What impact do you hope to have in

your research field?

I hope that this work draws more

attention to the massive problems of

indoor and outdoor air pollution that we

have in Uganda, and the African

continent more generally. I would like

my work to call attention to air

pollution’s impact across the life course,

from early childhood to late adulthood,

and to accelerate efforts towards

population-level interventions.

What is your experience as a PhD

student doing research at MLI and

Uganda more broadly?

Being in Uganda and working at MLI has

been exciting. Before living in Uganda, I

knew the importance of understanding

the context in which people live, and

where research is conducted. But being

What has been the most challenging

aspect of your PhD journey?

I’m not sure that I can pick out one thing.

Many aspects of the PhD have been

challenging, but the most challenging

aspects have been the most exciting and

rewarding too. I have learned a lot from

the ups and downs that come with the

entire process—applying for funding,

determining what’s feasible, and

working out the analytical, logistical,

ethical and administrative aspects of

studies. Challenging, but extremely

fulfilling.

How did you narrow down on a

research topic, from broad to narrow?

There was a bit of serendipity! I’ve had a

longstanding interest in environmental

and social determinants of health.

During my early visits to Kampala, I was

struck by the high levels of air pollution.

I began talking with people and reading

more about this problem and then I

honed in on gaps in literature.

Did you come up with your own

research topic?

Yes, I came up with my own research

topic based on my experiences, academic

and professional interests, and review of

journal articles and reports. I received

feedback and guidance from my

academic advisors, dissertation

committee, faculty, mentors, and

colleagues throughout the process. This

helped me refine my ideas and think

An Interview with Fogarty Fellow, Adaeze Wosu

Adaeze Wosu is a fourth year PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public health. She is currently based at MLI where she is completing a fellowship as part of the Fogarty International Center’s Global Health Fellows Program, and working on her dissertation research, which examines the links between air pollution and early childhood development.

NDPA: Dr. John Omagino (Executive Director, Uganda Heart

Institute), Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (Minister of Health), Dr.

Orem Jackson (Executive Director, Uganda Cancer Institute)

and Dr. Bruce Kirenga during this years NDPA

10km walk with HE Yoweri Kaguta

Museveni as the chief walker.

In the directors speech, Dr. Bruce

Kirenga alluded to the fact that there is a

heavy disease burden of asthma, Chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

and lung cancer in Uganda and physical

activity should be embraced for

preventing chronic respiratory diseases

and treating these conditions through

pulmonary rehabilitation. He also

encouraged people to make physical

activity part of their daily routine.

By Dr. Ivan Kimuli

M LI joined the nation in

celebrating the second national

day of physical activity (NDPA) which is

commemorated annually in the second

week of July.

This years NDPA was celebrated on the

14th July at Kololo Independence

grounds under the theme was ’My

health, my responsibility’ with the goal

of raising awareness on the role of

physical activity in curbing the non-

communicable disease epidemic.

Activities of the day included aerobics,

Sukuma dance, Zumba, games and a

National Day of Physical Activity Commemoration