Uganda unites science, policy, community to fight all diseases

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OPINION

By Dr Rhoda Wanyenze

This year, the School of Public Health at Makerere University, together with the Ministry of Health, are convening a joint national conference on communicable and non-communicable diseases, reflecting the integrated approach now championed by the Ministry.

This is an opportunity to align strategies, share evidence, and foster collaborations that can transform how we prevent, treat, and manage diseases in Uganda.

Non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory conditions, are rising rapidly, now accounting for over 35% of all deaths. Hypertension affects nearly one in four adults, while diabetes is increasing, especially in urban areas.

Many of these conditions are lifestyle-related and, once established, they are complex and costly to manage.

Complications can be severe, and the cost to individuals and the health system is high. Now is the time to mobilise communities for healthy living, strengthen health promotion, and prevent disease before it occurs.

Communicable diseases remain a major challenge. Malaria caused over 12.4 million cases in 2023, accounting for a third of outpatient visits and a quarter of inpatient admissions.

Tuberculosis affects nearly 96,000 people annually, while HIV prevalence remains at 5.1%, with 1.43 million people living with the virus. Recurrent outbreaks, cholera, measles, Ebola, Mpox, and COVID-19 continue to test our emergency preparedness and highlight gaps in the health system.

The rising burden of antimicrobial resistance and climate-sensitive illnesses adds to the mix and emphasises the need for coordinated, evidence-driven action.

Historically, our health system has addressed non-communicable and infectious diseases separately, yet they are closely linked, and sometimes the presence of non-communicable diseases makes individuals more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Certain cancers and chronic non-communicable conditions also arise from infectious causes, and many people live with both types of disease. Parallel systems have limited our ability to meet holistic patient needs.

This conference, therefore, represents an important step toward integrated, people-centred care.

This conference also coincides with the 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health Conference (JASHC2025) under the leadership of Makerere University School of Public Health, as the College of Health Sciences celebrates 100 years of health training. Our School has worked with the Ministry of Health for decades, contributing to research, policy, and training.

This conference is a chance to extend this collaboration and to jointly engage stakeholders, to speak with one voice on evidence, policy, and implementation to strengthen our health systems.

It also explores the changing global landscape, including health financing shifts and geopolitical challenges affecting programmes across Africa. Uganda is reforming systems to improve service delivery. We hope to learn from regional and global partners and share lessons on sustaining health amidst these changes.

The conference is open to students, researchers, policymakers, and implementers.  We are excited to bring together all health training institutions to share research, foster collaboration, and strengthen national networks.

Health is a foundation of human capital development. Good health enables productivity, and investing in it from early childhood ensures brain development and lifelong potential. Health must, therefore, be viewed not as a cost, but as a strategic investment in national development.

Strong media engagement will be critical to amplify messages on self-care, prevention, and healthy lifestyles. Early detection of conditions like hypertension and diabetes saves lives.

Rising obesity and persistent undernutrition illustrate the complex health challenges we face. Addressing them requires personal responsibility, community systems, and multisectoral collaboration.

Only through such collaboration can we achieve Uganda’s Universal Health Coverage goals and the Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030.

This is a forum where policymakers, practitioners, scientists, and community actors share experiences, learn from evidence, and discuss actionable solutions. District-level implementers will engage with research, while students will gain direct exposure to leaders shaping Uganda’s health landscape. I encourage all our partners, those in government, academia, civil society, and development actors, to contribute their experiences, share their evidence, and support this unique gathering. This is a great opportunity to collaborate, shape reforms, and advance health in Uganda and beyond.

The writer is Professor and Dean, School of Public Health, Makerere University