CPAR Uganda is participating in a two-year (2016-2017) research and advocacy project on tuberculosis (TB). TWENDE (Tuberculosis: Working to Empower Nations’ Diagnostic Efforts) received approval to be conducted in Uganda.

Uganda National Council for Science and Technology and the School of Biomedical Sciences Higher Degrees Research and Ethics Committee of the College of Health Sciences of Makerere University Kampala, approved it.

Field work will be done in 20 districts representing all regions of Uganda:

• Buhweju
• Kabale
• Hoima
• Kasese
• Kyenjonjo
• Rakai
• Kampala
• Mubende
• Nakasongola
• Iganga
• Kamuli
• Pallisa
• Tororo
• Soroti
• Moroto
• Gulu
• Lira
• Arua
• Moyo
• Nebbi

Data is to be collected through conducting 224 one-on-one interviews with district local government politicians, medical personnel, health care facility administrators, TB patients and TB patient care givers.

In addition, nine focus group discussions (FGDs – 25 persons each) will be conducted. The participants of the FGDs will include district politicians, health personnel, TB patients, TB patient care givers and other village residents.

The FGDs are planned to be conducted in nine districts – one in each district in the following districts: Buhweju, Kasese, Rakai, Kampala, Kamuli, Pallisa, Soroti, Lira and Moyo. These nine districts are located in nine different regions of Uganda.

Funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnerships (EDCTP) through the University of St. Andrews, we are in consortium with:

• School of Biomedical Sciences of the College of Health Sciences of MUK (Uganda)
• Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya)
• Kilimanjaro Research Institute (Tanzania)
• National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) – Mbeya Medical Research Centre (Tanzania)
• East Africa Health Research Commission (EAHRC)
• University of St. Andrews (UK)

Ms. Norah Owaraga, our Managing Director, is the Social Scientist for TWENDE. She is the lead researcher in the collection and analysis of qualitative data for the study.

In this capacity, she is training and mentoring TWENDE Qualitative Data Investigators, personnel of the TWENDE Consortium Partner Organisations from the three study countries – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

For more insights read “Theory to fight tuberculosis”

Photo: A strategy session of members of CPAR Uganda Ltd.