PEOPLE

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Dr. Michael Makanga is flying Uganda’s flag high globally.

He recently assumed a new office as Executive Director of Global Health EDCTP3, an international partnership.

Capacity Development of European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) is a European Union (EU) funded partnership worth 1.6 billion Euros.

Dr. Makanga is the first African to head the Global Health EDCTP3, which is the largest EU Joint Undertaking mandated by 15 European and 28 African countries.

It has been running for 20 years and aims to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa by promoting the development and uptake of new or improved health technologies.

Uganda is also a member of the EDCTP Association and is represented by Professor Samuel Okware, director general of Uganda National Health Research Organization (UNHRO).

Meanwhile, being at the helm of that international programme is no mean feat. 

Dr Makanga will ensure efficient and correct implementation of the partnership’s annual work programs and the achievement of its objectives.

He says, there will be funding for European and African researchers, including Ugandans and research institutions for clinical research and capacity development on infectious diseases.

His office is in Brussels, Belgium.

From grass to grace

The 56-year-old clinician-scientist rose from a humble background and is now making a mark on the global scene. He was born and raised in Namusansula village, deep inside Luweero district from where he has built his career spanning 30 years of health and clinical research work in African and European institutions.

Last week, he received the 2023 Science Diplomacy Award on behalf of the Global Health EDCTP3 from the government of South Africa (Department of Science and Innovation).

Makanga dedicated the award to partners, especially patients and healthy volunteers participating in the programme’s studies.

He trusts that through science, partners can indeed, together, reduce the socio-economic burden caused by poverty-related and neglected diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.