Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP)

🎉 Congratulations, Dr. Robert Ssekubugu. We proudly congratulate our Head of Epidemiology on the successful defense of his PhD at Karolinska Institutet. His dissertation, “The Impact of Response Timing, Mobile Telephone Use, and Use of Collection Tools on Survey Bias: Evidence from Rakai, Uganda,” is a valuable contribution to public health research. We celebrate this achievement and applaud his dedication to advancing epidemiological science. #KarolinskaInstitutet #ResearchExcellence

Wonderful to see this kind of meaningful collaboration in action—across borders, disciplines, and institutions. This work brings together Center for Global Health Equity members and long-standing research partners at Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP), co-driving serious inquiry into the intersection of health and extreme weather events—like drought, flooding, and extreme heat—in Uganda. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when community knowledge, academic expertise, and trusted partnerships come together. More on the project here: https://lnkd.in/g58xzycv

RHSP was honored to host Prof. Joe Eisenberg and Andrea Mahieu from the University of Michigan during the ongoing Uganda Climate Shock Survey in Namirembe fishing village in South-Central Uganda affected by climate events. Their visit focused on refining methodological approaches, enhancing data quality, and strengthening collaborative ties between RHSP and the University of Michigan—leveraging insights to guide future studies and advance impactful research.

We are honored to be featured in a recent Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health titled “On the Cusp of Eliminating HIV,” written by Brian W. Simpson. The article highlights RHSP’s impactful journey in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Today, the Rakai Health Sciences Program finds itself at crossroads in the fight against HIV . Our data and lived experiences demonstrate that HIV transmission can be drastically reduced — and even eliminated. However, sustaining this progress requires uninterrupted access to treatment, strong research partnerships, and community-centered care. While our achievements are significant, they remain fragile amid recent funding challenges. We encourage you to read and share the article to help raise awareness and support for the ongoing fight against HIV. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dSh4-wJq

As a member of the RHSP team, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that sustained global HIV funding has had on communities in Uganda. The recent funding cuts and halted grants not only threaten decades of progress, but also deeply affect the teams on the ground who have dedicated their lives to this work. This article powerfully highlights what’s at stake not just programs, but people. We must continue advocating for the support needed to finish what we started in the fight against HIV. Rakai Health Sciences Program

This is the horrible reality our team in Uganda is facing. Despite nearing the finish line in the fight against HIV, the future of this work is now at risk. I’ve had the privilege of working with this incredible program in Uganda for the past 15 years. It’s been one of the greatest honors of my career. Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP)

On May 14–15, 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting students and faculty members from Western University's Master's in Global Health Systems program. During their field visit, the group toured our RHSP facilities, visited key community sites, including the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS) site in Kyotera and the Ddimo and Malembo landing sites, to engage with the communities we serve. We’re excited to welcome some of the students for their internships, where they will contribute to ongoing projects and studies across RHSP.

While attending the RENU Annual General Meeting on 2nd May 2025, Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) was recognized as the top eduroam user in the Research Institutions category. This recognition reflects our team's commitment to staying connected, collaborative, and at the forefront of digital innovation in research and science. A big thank you to Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) for this honor and for continually enabling research excellence through reliable and secure connectivity. #RHSP #ResearchExcellence #Connectivity #DigitalInnovation

Congratulations to all our RENU Services Awardees!  #RENU16thAGM

Over the past two weeks, Dr. Abbas Jessani from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, returned to Uganda in partnership with the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) to continue vital work in advancing oral health. Building on last year’s community engagement, the team conducted follow-up dental check-ins at Ddimu landing site and in sections of Kyotera District—providing free dental care, treatment, and education to underserved communities. The need is undeniable: from severe tooth decay to untreated dental conditions, oral health challenges are widespread but often overlooked due to competing life priorities like food, shelter, and education. According to Dr. Abbas, “With a systematic and evidence-based approach, the study team will tackle the most common oral diseases identified through the data.” This work is not just about research—it’s about continuity of care and making quality oral healthcare a routine part of primary health services. We are grateful to be part of this collaborative effort alongside passionate professionals and resilient communities committed to lasting change. #OralHealth #GlobalHealth #RHSP #Uganda #PublicHealth