In 1983, Prof. David Serwadda, then a young research scientist at the Uganda Cancer Institute, first observed an emerging epidemic of immunosuppressive illness among white homosexual males in the United States. His work quickly led him to recognize that Kaposi’s sarcoma, a tumor managed at the center, was linked to what would later be identified as HIV, particularly among patients from Rakai district.
This realization sparked a pivotal moment in 1984/85 when Prof. Serwadda and his colleagues confirmed the presence of an HIV epidemic in Rakai. Their groundbreaking work, supported by a collaboration with the CDC and Dr. Maria Wawer of Columbia University, laid the foundation for what would become the Rakai Project, now known as the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP).
Over the past 30 years, under Prof. Serwadda’s leadership, RHSP has grown into a world-class HIV research institution, significantly advancing global understanding of HIV transmission and prevention. The program's remarkable achievements, including a 68% reduction in HIV incidence in Rakai, are a testament to Prof. Serwadda’s vision and the strong partnerships forged with local communities, the Rakai district administration, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, and key international partners like NIH and CDC.