The joint Center for Infection and Immunity Research & Training programme of
Makerere University together with the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) have received $7.2m (about Shs2.4b) to boost the virus research operations within the University.
The funds that were donated by Wellcome Trust, a global foundation are aimed at improving health and boost the ability of local scientists to pursue research in infection and immunity regarding endemic diseases.
Dr Edward Katongole Mbidde, the director of UVRI adds that the second phase programme is meant to see scientists who succeeded in the first phase do advanced research and become independent from the institute.
In brief remarks at the fund announcement at Makerere on Thursday, the university Vice Chancellor, Prof John Ddumba-Ssentamu, commended Wellcome Trust for the support and believes that the fund will help to contribute to the transformation of the university from a good university of higher learning into an excellent institution providing home-grown scientific research and training solutions to address Uganda’s development challenges.
