Epicentre Mbarara Research Centre 1996–2026
The event can be attended in person at the Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara or online via livestream (on our website).
Programme "Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future – 30 Years of Epicentre Research Centre"
The timings shown are those for Uganda (CET+2)
9:00 Opening Ceremony Welcome Remarks
- Prof. Juliet Mwanga-Amumpaire & Klaudia Porten, Epicentre Directors
9:10 Remarks from Medecins Sans Frontieres
Uganda Head of Mission
9:20 Remarks from Mbarara University of Science & Technology
Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, MUST Vice Chancellor
9:30 Guest of Honour (times to be confirmed)
Hon. Dr. Charles Ayume, State Minister for Primary Health Care
9:50 Session I Clinical Research in Challenging Settings: What Lessons from Mbarara Can Shape the Next 30 Years?
Moderators: Dr. Emmanuel Baron, former Director of Epicentre (2008-2023) & Dr. Ssebutinde Peter, Mbarara District Health Officer
10:00-10:15: Designing trials for the realities of the field/Scientific rigor and operational flexibility: finding the right balance | Dr. Patrice Piola, Director of Mbarara research base 2001-2008
10:15-10:30: Putting Communities at the Centre of Research | Collins Agababyona, Qualitative Researcher Epicentre & Alice Berigija, CAB member
10:30-10:40: Beyond efficacy: measuring what truly matters: Should clinical trials move beyond biomedical outcomes? | Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, MUST Vice Chancellor
10:40-10:45: Case Study: Artesunate versus quinine in the treatment of severe falciparum malaria in African children (AQUAMAT): an open-label, randomized trial
10:45-10:55: From evidence to access/impact: ensuring innovations reach those who need them most |Joke Vanpeteghem, APH Nairobi
10:55-11:00: Case Study: Fractional Dosing Yellow Fever Strategies | Dr. Maria Namulwana, Epidemiologist Epicentre
11:50 Session II | Outbreak Preparedness and Response: From Early Detection to Evidence-Based Action
Moderators: Dr. Stephen Balinandi, Uganda Virus Research Institute & Dr. Endashaw Aderie, Senior Health Advisor-Médecins Sans Frontières East Africa
Panel Discussion (Panelists to be confirmed)
Prof. Yap Boum II, Africa Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Dr. Allan Muruta, Commissioner for the Integrated Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Public Health Emergencies:
- Isabel Amoros Quiles, MSF
Klaudia Porten, Epicentre
12:30-12:45: Case Study: Ebola outbreak | Rebecca Coulborn, Epidemiologist Epicentre
12:45-13:00: Case Study: Integration of cholera Rapid Diagnostic Tests into surveillance systems: results from a multisite mixed-methods study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Niger | Wendelin Moser, Epidemiologist Epicentre
14:30 Session III Research Highlights and Landmark Studies from Epicentre
Moderators: Elisabeth Baudin, statistician Epicentre & Leon Salumu, MSF WACa
- 14:35-14:45: Training | Sophie Masson, Head of the Epicentre Training Team & Prof. Francis Bajunirwe, MUST
- 14:45-14:55: Childhood cancer in Uganda: experience and patient cohort at Mbarara Regional Hospital | Barnabas Atwiine, Mbarara Regional Hospital-MUST
- 14:55-15:05: Feasibility, and Acceptability of Decentralizing Sickle Cell Disease Care including Hydroxyurea at Health Centre Level 3 Facilities in remote rural area in Uganda, Dr. Andrew Kasozi, Epidemiologist Epicentre
- 15:05-15:15: Data science | Robert Nsaibirni, Research IT, Data Management and Compliance Coordinator
- Q&A
- Panel Discussion: Collaborating for Impact: Research, Capacity Building and Innovation in Global Health. (Capacity Building, Innovation, Data Science, and Emerging Research Priorities.(Panelists to be confirmed)
- Prof. Placide Mbala, Africa CDC
- Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, Ministry of Health Uganda
- Valérie Briand, Director of the Research Department, Epicentre
- Dr. Daniel Atwine, MUST-REC Member & SOAR Research Foundation Director,
- Prof. Joel Bazira, Mbarara University of Science and Technology
- Dr. Evelyne Nyachwo, Makerere University School of Public Health
17:15 Conference Communiqué and Future Commitments
17:30 Recognition and Awards Ceremony
17:50 Closing Remarks
Join researchers, public health professionals, partners, community representatives and collaborators as we reflect on three decades of scientific achievements and explore the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of global health research.
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