The Ministry of Health and Makerere University in Uganda co-organised the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025 under the theme: “Unified Action Against Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases in Uganda“. The conference brought together stakeholders from government ministries and departments, local governments, academia, civil society, the private sector, development partners, professional associations, and communities who deliberated on the important role of coordinated action in addressing Uganda’s growing burden of infectious and non-infectious diseases in an evolving local and global health landscape.

Discussions reaffirmed the need for strengthened multisectoral collaboration and One Health approach that engages all government sectors and clearly defines the role of the private sector. Participants emphasized the importance of an integrated, people-centred model of disease prevention and care model, along with the need to enhance data systems, research, and policy translation. The conference also underscored the urgency of increasing domestic financing and adopting innovative financing mechanisms that broadly support the health system’s capacity to tackle the dual disease burden.

The conference proceedings feature selected abstracts presented during the conference, showcasing a wide range of research, innovations, programmatic solutions and field experiences. The conference offered a unique platform that demonstrated how academia, programme implementers, and policymakers can collaborate to generate and apply evidence for improved health outcomes. The findings shared at the conference and captured in the proceedings will inform national policies and strengthen efforts to prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases in Uganda.

Guest editors:

  1. Prof. Moses Robert Kamya, MD, MMed, MPH, PhD. Professor of Medicine at Makerere University and Executive Director, Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration
  2. Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo, BEHS, MSc, PhD. Lecturer in Environmental and Public Health at Makerere University, Uganda
  3. Ms. Lydia Namakula Nabawanuka, BEHS, MSc. Research Associate at Makerere University, Uganda
  4. Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe, MD, MPH. Commissioner, Communicable Disease Prevention and Control at the Uganda Ministry of Health
  5. Dr. David Musoke, BEHS, MSc, PhD. Associate Professor at Makerere University, Uganda
  6. Prof. Pauline Byakika, MD, MSc, MMED, PhD. Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology and Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda
  7. Dr. Andrew Kambugu, MD, MPH. The Sande-McKinnell Executive Director of the Infectious Disease Institute in Kampala, Uganda
  8. Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, MD, MPH, PhD. Professor and Dean at Makerere University, Uganda

Characterization of NK cell phenotypes and function in children with symptomatic and asymptomatic plasmodium falciparum infection in a high transmission setting

Evelyn Nansubuga, Savannah Nicole Lewis, Stephen Tukwasibwe, Felistas Namirimu Nankya, Patience Nayebare, Yoweri Taremwa, Annet Nalwoga, Kenneth Musinguzi, Martin Chamai, Aloysius Ssemaganda, Kattria van der Ploeg, Kassie Press, Kylie Camanag, Jason Nideffer, Isaac Ssewanyana, Joaniter Nankabirwa, Moses Kamya, Emmanuel Arinaitwe, Bernard Bagaya, Prasanna Jagannathan
JIEPH Volume 8 (ConfProc6):0018. 05 Dec 2025 (PDF in Process)

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Using machine learning and explainable AI to predict lifestyle-driven hypertension risk in Uganda’s WHO STEPS 2023 survey [Conference Abstract]

Dafala Kezimbira, Joan Mutyoba, James Serubugo, David Yawe Guwatudde, WHO STEPS 2023 Uganda Survey Team, SIGHT – Strengthening Research Capacity in Innovative Global Health Technologies for Non-Communicable Diseases in Uganda, Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre (MakBRC)
JIEPH Volume 8 (ConfProc6):0057. 07 Dec 2025 (PDF in Process)

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Patient and provider factors affecting blood pressure control within integrated HIV care at a peri-urban clinic in Uganda: A mixed methods study [Conferences Abstract]

Isaac Kimera, Isaac Ssinabulya, Christabellah Namugenyi, Florence Ayebare, Douglas Musimbaggo, Priscilla Apolot, Isa Ssemakula, Caroline Kirabo Namugga, Mary Nakiganda, John Kiggundu, Martin Muddu, Joanita Nangendo, George Patrick Akabwai, Edrisa Ibrahim Mutebi, Fred Semitala
JIEPH Volume 8 (ConfProc6):0039. 06 Dec 2025 (PDF in Process)

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