We are thrilled to share the highlights from our latest RHSP Newsletter, covering a truly dynamic May to August 2025! This period was marked by vital research advances, deepened partnerships, strengthened epidemic preparedness, energetic community engagement, and proud moments of recognition. It’s a testament to our passionate team, our partners, and the communities we serve. Let's dive into some of the key achievements!
Key highlights include;
Leading the Charge in HIV & Global Health Research (IAS 2025 & Publications)
- RHSP showcased at IAS 2025 (Kigali) with 11 scientists/students and 7 abstracts, reinforcing Uganda’s scientific leadership in HIV research.
- Conference themes RHSP engaged with included long-acting PrEP, HIV self-testing, triple-elimination in maternal care, and the Kigali Declaration calling for equity, local leadership, and sustained global commitment.
- RHSP authorship featured across multiple 2025 publications (HIV, sepsis endotypes, HIV reservoirs, mobility metrics, mpox vaccination strategies, and more), underlining strong research productivity and global collaborations.
Forging Powerful Collaborations for Greater Impact
- Climate & Health: Advanced the Uganda Climate Shock Survey with the University of Michigan (Prof. Joe Eisenberg visit) to study community adaptation to flooding, drought and heat impacts on health.
- Child, Adolescent & Mental Health Partnerships: Hosted ICHAD & NYU leadership (Dr. Michael Lindsey) to strengthen links on HIV, NCDs and mental-health integration including suicide prevention within cohort platforms.
- Epidemic Preparedness: Launched a Marburg seroprevalence study with UVRI in Kyotera — intensive protocol training completed to ensure high-quality, safe field work and REDCap data capture.
Innovating in Community Engagement & Health Delivery
- Internship Season (May–July): Hosted a diverse cohort of interns (Makerere, Columbia, Western, KIU, MUBS etc.), who contributed to ROC, data collection, REDCap work, and community mobilization—strengthening RHSP’s mentorship and capacity-building mandate.
- HECM & Sports for Health: The Health Education & Community Mobilization team used football and community sport events to disseminate research messages and promote testing and services—creative, high-reach engagement.
- Oral Health & Field Clinics: Community oral-health activities and field camps integrated dental screening into routine outreach, expanding holistic care at landing sites and villages.
Achieving Excellence and Celebrating Our People
- Gifts & Infrastructure: RHSP received a Thermo Scientific freezer from the NIH to strengthen sample preservation and lab capacity.
- Recognition & Awards: RHSP leadership and partnerships were honored — including an ICHAD award recognizing over a decade of collaboration with RHSP.
- Academic Milestones: Colleagues celebrated academic achievements (e.g., Dr. Robert Ssekubugu’s PhD from Karolinska Institutet), reflecting RHSP’s role in training research leaders.
Strengthening Cohort Work & Data Quality
- RCCS Round 22 Readiness: Intensive team training (REDCap refreshers, QC, refined survey messaging, field practice) built confidence and tightened procedures ahead of Round 22 — demonstrating commitment to data integrity and participant-centred approaches.
Storytelling & Public Outreach
- Featured Documentary: RHSP will be featured in an upcoming Uganda AIDS Commission documentary focused on education and HIV, amplifying RHSP’s role in linking education, prevention and adolescent outcomes.
- Talent, Team & CSR: Internal morale and community ties were strong — from a lively RHSP Talent Show celebrating staff creativity, to Caritas outreach with St Joseph Parish, demonstrating RHSP’s social presence beyond research.
This is a snapshot of the incredible work RHSP advanced between May and August 2025. From high-impact science presented on global stages to community-rooted studies, cross-institution partnerships, and investments in laboratory and human capacity. We are immensely proud of our team and grateful to our partners and communities. Together, we continue to translate research into healthier, more resilient futures.