Specialised Makerere research lab to push for HIV cure breakthroughs

Makerere University has established a specialised laboratory to study HIV, a move experts say could strengthen global efforts to find a cure.

Traditionally, scientists have focused on studying the body's response to HIV by analysing blood samples, antibodies and viral load. However, the new laboratory will shift attention to the virus itself, with researchers seeking to understand where it hides in the body and how it persists despite treatment.

Speaking during the Faculty Research Dialogue for academic staff held on July 13, 2026, at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Prof. Moses Joloba from the Makerere University School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, said the new approach could provide critical insights into HIV cure research.

"We now want to study the virus itself because understanding where it hides could eventually help scientists develop a cure," Prof. Joloba said.

HIV burden remains a concern

According to the 2025 National HIV Estimates Report, Fort Portal city had the highest prevalence at 14.3%, followed by Soroti city at 11.6%, Mbarara city at 9.9%, Gulu city at 9.6%, Masaka city at 9.6%, Lira city at 9.1%, Hoima city at 7.7%, Jinja city at 6.5%, Mbale city at 4.9% and Arua city at 4.0%.

In 2024 alone, 37,000 new infections were recorded nationwide, with nearly 70% of the infections occurring among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24.

Approximately 1.5 million Ugandans are living with HIV, with about 1.3m currently on antiretroviral therapy.

Scientists seek stronger collaboration

Scientists at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) have called for stronger collaboration, mentorship and increased research funding to enable more researchers to address Uganda's pressing health challenges.

The call was made during a research dialogue involving lecturers, clinicians and researchers to discuss ways of strengthening the college's research capacity and fostering collaboration.

Prof. Annette Nakimuli, Dean of MakCHS, said that while the college is renowned for producing high-quality research, some academic staff are still unable to conduct research because they lack grants.

"We are trying to ensure that those who secure research grants work more closely with those who have fewer opportunities so that we get more capacity, conduct more research and mentor one another," Nakimuli said.

The research dialogue was held at Mulago National Referral Hospital on July 13 under the theme, "Initiating and Sustaining a Research Program."

Prof. Bruce Kirenga, the principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), said, "We have people at CHS who have been receiving a grant every year for the last 30 years, giving the example of Dr Achilles Katamba.

He wondered how someone who has not had a grant for the last 30 years could be sitting with a person who has been receiving a grant every year for the last 30 years. He called for a need to break those barriers.

The meeting was convened by the college leadership to explore practical ways of expanding research capacity and increasing participation in research across departments.

Expanding research partnerships

Emphasising research collaboration, Prof. Godfrey Siu, Director of CHDC, stressed that trust and transparency are essential for successful collaborations.

Highlighting the achievements of his department, he said it had implemented 45 research projects over the past seven years, attracting approximately $14 million (about sh51.66 billion) in funding.

The programmes focus on non-communicable diseases, child development, parenting and child health, disability and technology, health systems with an emphasis on malaria, and capacity building.

Prof. Richard Idro, deputy principal of the College of Health Sciences, said the college accounts for more than 60% of the research conducted in Uganda, with much of it aimed at solving the country's most pressing health challenges.

He cited research on tuberculosis, malaria, mental health, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, air quality and asthma, reducing childhood pneumonia, improving women's health, as well as parenting innovations developed by the Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC).