ANNUAL REPORT

2021-2022
Investing In The Future.
Impacting Real Lives.
IDI STRATEGIC PLAN 2018-2023
ALIGNING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY TO OPPORTUNITIES

VISION MISSION
A HEALTHY AFRICA FREE FROM THE TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH SYSTEMS
BURDEN OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN AFRICA WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS
ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES THROUGH
RESEARCH AND CAPACITY BUILDING

OVERARCHING APPROACHES ACTION AREAS

HSS & PCT: Differentiated service delivery models (young people,
men of ages 20-40, MARPS, evaluations
CATALYTIC ROLES RESEARCH: Implementation science, Health economics and research
capacity building
TOWARDS ACHIEVING LABS: Lab-based monitoring and research
EPIDEMIC CONTROL SYSTEM STRENGTHENING: Sub-grantee capacity
CAPACITY BUILDING: Tailored training in support of new approaches,
models and policies

HSS: Interface with NCDS, NTDs emerging diseases and refugee health
LEVERAGING ESTABLISHED PCT: Building clinical research organisation capacity and infrustructure on
clinic platform
CAPACITY RESEARCH: Using existing research platforms and partnerships to provide
AND PLATFORMS data and build analytical capacity
LABS: Non-research product delivery
FOR ENHANCED GHS: Building capacity on existing HIV programme platforms and
PROGRAMMING resources
CAPACITY BUILDING: To support a broader range of health conditions

HSS: Population level data capacity

PCT: Longitudinal cohorts
HARNESSING RESEARCH & GHS: Surveillance and bioinformatics capacity
LABS: Data repositories
BIG DATA SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING: Data analytics, infrastructure and new
programme development
CAPACITY BUILDING: Building of staff and partner skills in support of big
data programming

TECHNOLOGY-LED ACADEMY: Embracing new technologies for

PROGRAMME better programme delivery and management in

Drone technology, Application, development,
INNOVATION mHealth, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain

SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS,

OPERATIONS COLLABORATION & ENHANCED
COMMUNICATIONS

Investing in the future: Impacting Lives

 3

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

It is my great pleasure to present to you this annual report which
coincides with our 20th-anniversary celebrations. This milestone
represents two decades of hard work, dedication, and innovation
in the field of infectious diseases prevention, care, treatment
and research. Since our establishment in 2002, IDI has been at
the forefront of tackling the most pressing infectious diseases
in Africa, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and more
recently, emerging/re-emerging and neglected tropical diseases.
I have reason to believe that our efforts have contributed
significantly to the global fight against infectious diseases and
saved countless lives. Over the years, IDI has grown from a small REV. PROF. SAM LUBOGA
institute to a world-renowned centre of excellence, thanks to the
tireless efforts of our dedicated staff, partners, and stakeholders.
We are proud to have contributed to improving health outcomes
in Uganda and beyond as you will see in this report. We ended
these first two decades of our existence with the COVID-19
pandemic which brought unprecedented challenges but also
demonstrated our resilience and adaptability. I think you will all
agree that the Institute has come out even stronger! As we look
ahead, we remain optimistic about the future and are excited
about the new opportunities that lie ahead. We are particularly
excited about the new possibilities that data and computing
will open up for health programs and discovery. We will strive
to meet the new challenges that these developments will bring,
especially for low-income countries. We are grateful for your
partnership and we are counting on your continued unwavering
support for the next 20 years!

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I am pleased to report on the tremendous progress and
accomplishments we have made in the fight against infectious
diseases . The past year has been an extraordinary one for our
institute, as we continued to support the response to a global
pandemic. We have seen first-hand the devastating impact that
infectious diseases can have on individuals, families, communities,
and societies as a whole. I am proud to say that our teams have
remained steadfast in our commitment to advancing our mission in
support of our beneficiaries and stakeholders. In this report, you will
find a comprehensive overview of the Institute's achievements over
DR ANDREW KAMBUGU the past year. As we celebrate 20 years and 100 years of existence
for IDI and Makerere University respectively, our staff continue to
make significant contributions to the capacity of our health systems
and to the scientific community through ground breaking research
and innovative models of public health programming. Our efforts
would not be fruitful without the ongoing support and collaboration
of you, our partners, stakeholders, and funders, so we look forward
to working together again in the coming year.

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
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5
HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING
Supporting national effort on TB care and spread , HIV
03
epidemic control in key populations, innovations

8
04
GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY
Accelerated COVID-19 Vaccination, expansion in the African
region

11
CORE LABORATORY
06
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Support to UPDF, strengthening storage capacity, maintaining

accreditation

12
TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
New partnerships, health workers trained, programme 07
achievers

14
PREVENTION CARE AND TREATMENT
Support to UPDF, strengthening storage capacity, maintaining
12
accreditation

15
ACADEMY FOR HEALTH INNOVATION
4th Annual Health Innovation Conference, Artificial
Intelligence, Medical Drones

17
RESEARCH
04
07
Translational laboratory, African Centre of Excellence, Data
Management and Statistical Services

20
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Resource acquisition and utilisation summary, grants and
contract management

22
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Newly formed department, staff growth over the years,
capacity building

23
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Financial turnover, how we use funds 12

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 5

HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING

Handover at Wakiso dis-

trict (CoP-Defeat TB, DHO,
Asst. CAO, DTLS, ADHO,
RTLP-Central)

Handover from Defeat TB chief of party Dr Abel Nkolo to USAID Local Partner Health Services TB Activity project director Dr Mary Mudìope in January 2022.

GROWTH OF THE TB PORTFOLIO

In October 2021, the Institute was awarded GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE OF USAID LPHS-TB PROJECT
a five-year USAID-funded Local Partner
Health Services-TB (LPHS-TB) project
which is a transition award from Defeat
TB project. The LPHS-TB Activity enhances
the TB response in Kampala, Mukono
and Wakiso districts in collaboration with
IDI-Kampala HIV Project and Makerere
University Walter Reed Project (Mukono).
Full transition of all technical areas of the
project to IDI was completed by July 01,
2022. With this award, the mandate for
the Institute has expanded to provision
of technical assistance to the Ministry of
Health-National TB and Leprosy Division.
This is the flagship US government TB project
in Uganda. The scope has also increased to
include the provision of technical assistance
in the management of drug-resistant TB
directly to seven regional referral hospitals
and indirectly to 10 other hospitals managing
drug-resistant TB in Uganda.

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
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CATALYTIC EFFORTS TO
ACHIEVE HIV EPIDEMIC CONTROL
Key Population (KP) are groups of people project facilitates scale up of effective, efficient
whose social marginalisation makes them and quality comprehensive HIV services
particularly vulnerable to HIV infection because through community drop-in centres.
they experience both increased impact and
decreased access to services. Key areas of support for KP programming
include CSO mapping, capacity assessments,
In August 2020, IDI was awarded PEPFAR/CDC system strengthening for effective program
funding to implement a five-year above-site delivery through tailored trainings, mentorship
KP Civil Society Organisation (CSO) project. and CSO exchange-learning across regions.
The overall goal of this project is to accelerate To date, the mechanism has trained 147 CSO
HIV epidemic control through strengthening staff from 60 CSOs in financial management,
KP community systems, coordination and 113 staff from 45 CSOs in data management
collaboration among different stakeholders and information security, 134 staff from 62
for sustainable HIV health service delivery by CSOs in resource mobilisation, 82 staff in
2025. infection prevention and control, 85 gate-
keepers in gender-based violence prevention
In October 2021, the IDI National CSO and management, 72 staff in continuous quality
mechanism expanded its scope beyond the improvement. Division of quality assurance
seven regions of Uganda supported primarily and community scorecard activities have been
by USAID and Department of Defence. The implemented at 18 drop-in centres.

CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS HIV EPIDEMIC CONTROL

IN THE KAMPALA AND WEST NILE REGIONS
WESTNILE REGION KAMPALA REGION
(12 DISTRICTS) & WAKISO
93% 97%

36,785 (99.9%) 183,133(99.9%)

3773 (1.60%) 18,146 (3.80%)

238,487 483,035

TESTED 721,522

IDENTIFIED 21,919 (3.00%)

ON ART 219,918

VL SUPPRESSION 95%

DISSEMINATION ARTICLES UNDER PEPFAR MECHANISMS

DISSEMINATION LEVEL OF DISSEMINATION TOTAL ACCEPTED
ARTICLE DISSEMINATION PLATFORM SUBMITTED
Abstract International CROI 2021/22 04 03
Fast Track Cities October 2021 01 00
IAS 2021 03 01
American Public Health 01 01
Association Conference 2021
National/ Regional 8th National Quality Improvement 10 06
conference 2021

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
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INNOVATION TO TRAINING
INCREASE VACCINE UPTAKE PHARMACY INTERNS
In October 2020, the WN region HIV/AIDS project Since 2016, the health system strengthening
partnered with Vantage Health Technologies (part department has been receiving and training
of the BroadReach Group) to utilize the Vantage pharmacy interns under the Ministry of Health
Program Oversight solution, which enables tracking internship programme. Following a hiatus due
of programme performance against targets and to restrictions stemming from the COVID-19
guides project teams in making necessary timely pandemic, the institute received six interns in May
interventions. Subsequently, the Vantage 2022. The interns have benefited from
regional competition was instituted to encourage hands-on training on a continuum of curricular
field office teams to work towards achieving including HIV disease, pharmacology of ARVs
targets and project objectives through the active and medicines supply chain to mention a few.
use of Vantage. The winners for May 2022 were as
follows:

Field Office Adoption

Koboko Field Office (three times in a row)

Individual Adoption
1st Prize: Mike Odeke (Koboko)
2nd Prize: Veronica Rebecca Namuddu (Adjumani)
3rd Prize: Paineto Ssaazi (Arua)

Individual Value & Behaviour

Gold: Dr Kayinda Francis – improving performance
Silver: Benjamin Tirwomwe – improving data quality

The Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, Justine Kasule Lumumba

representing the Prime Minister with Health Minister Jane Aceng at the TB
Marathon. The event was supported by IDI LPHS team in March 2022.

MIKE VERONICA
ODEKE NAMUDDU

PAINETO FRANCIS
SSAAZI KAYINDA

BENJAMIN
DREAMS beneficiaries with the US
TIRWOMWE
Ambassador to Uganda, Natalie Brown
Infectious Diseases Institute
Annual Report 2021-2022
 8

GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY

COVID-19 VACCINATION
Vaccination is the most critical intervention to minimize the harmful impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic. The IDI GHS programme contributed to the Government of Uganda's effort to roll
out COVID-19 vaccination nationwide. At the outset,IDI focused on mobilizing priority group
to receive COVID-19 vaccines. These groups included those more likely to be exposed to the
SARS-COV-2 virus in the workplace (health workers, teachers, security forces), the elderly, and
patients with co-morbidities that posed them at greater risk for severe illness or death from
COVID-19. IDI engaged relevant stakeholders, including government institutions, professional
bodies, organizations, religious institutions, and private businesses, to increase awareness of the
vaccination program and advocated for specific efforts to ensure these groups received vaccines.

SUPPORT TO
GOVERNMENT
To address vaccine hesitancy, IDI worked under

8,000
the supervision of the Ministry of Health to
develop educational materials on COVID-19
to train "vaccination champions" – individuals
who could directly reach others and support VA C C I N AT I O N
them to overcome barriers to obtaining their
vaccines. Stakeholder consultations enabled IDI CHAMPIONS
to identify barriers and use this information to IDI trained over 8,000 vaccination
develop models to improve vaccination uptake for champions, including 5,956 health care
prioritised groups. workers in 764 public and private health
facilities in 91 districts, and community
Examples included locating COVID-19 vaccination workers, including members of the Uganda
services at HIV clinics, places of worship, and Red Cross Society.
close to payment points for financial assistance
programs for the elderly. Through these models, SPOTLIGHT
IDI directly supported the vaccination of a large In 2021, with the
number of individuals. rapidly expanding GHS
programme, a new role
INDIVIDUALS VACCINATED THROUGH titled Deputy Head
MODELS TARGETING PRIORITY GROUPS of Department was
created to support the
35000 32,446 head of department.
After a highly FRANCIS KAKOOZA
30000 28,500
competitive search DEPUTY HEAD, GHS
25000
process, Francis Kakooza assumed this role in
20000 July. Francis joined IDI just over 10 years ago,
15000
starting off as a lab scientist in the Research
8,300 Programme. Prior to this appointment, he was
10000
the Project Manager of the Uganda Fleming
5,802
5000 Fund Country Grant in the GHS Programme.
0
He is currently a PhD candidate in Molecular
POINT PLACE OF PLACE SAGE/
Epidemiology and Genomics at Makerere
OF CARE WORSHIP OF WORK ELDERLY University.
(CSR)

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
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PANDEMIC
CONTROL
The government roll-out of accelerated mass vaccination campaigns marked a turning point in the
vaccination exercise. All adults became eligible to receive the vaccine and vaccination of children
commenced. With the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IDI collaborated with
MildMay Uganda, TASO, and Rakai Health Sciences Program to roll out three rounds of the regional
accelerated mass vaccination campaigns in 51 districts and cities. Support included campaign
coordination through emergency operations centres, provision of hired vehicles to districts during
campaign periods, and support for data management. IDI supported risk communication activities,
including regional launches of mass vaccination exercises in five health regions.

CONTRIBUTION TO ACHIEVING
21M COVID19 DOSES
MASS VACCINATION
When Wakiso district, the largest
district in Uganda by population,
continued to report low coverage,
IDI conducted a 2-month mass
vaccination campaign funded by
CORE Response in which 71,339
individuals got vaccinated, resulting IDI PROVE partners by country

in a 16.3% increase in coverage in

people that had received the first
dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the
district.

DIGITISATION OF DATA
With the Monitoring and
Evaluation Technical Support 2022/2023 PLANS
programme, IDI recruited 455 REGIONAL ROGRAMMING
data entrants who worked to clear IDI received a grant from MasterCard
the backlog in vaccination data. Foundation to serve as the Implementation
Within six months, the proportion Science Partner of the Africa CDC Saving
of vaccination data-entered in the Lives and Livelihoods vaccination program.
electronic registry had increased Through this award, IDI and AFREhealth will
from 53% to 85%. To prevent work with in-country partners to evaluate
subsequent accumulation, IDI the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines
worked with Shifo Foundation to and provide scientific evidence on barriers
pilot its Smart Paper Technology and enablers of the vaccination program in
in West Nile, a strategy that the 15 African countries. Within Uganda, IDI
Ministry of Health subsequently will expand its work on demand creation
recommended nationwide. The for COVID-19 vaccination through a new
paper-to-digital solution eliminates initiative of the Rockefeller Foundation
manual data entry, automatically and extend its collaboration with US CDC to
generates reports. strengthen routine immunization systems
across the life course.

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
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Dr Grace Najjuka, head of the National Microbiology

Reference Laboratory at Uganda National Health
Laboratories (UNHLS) hands the CAP Accreditation
certificate to Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary, MoH

Laboratory staff in a mentorship session at the CAP accredited

Microbiology Reference Laboratory at UNHLS

The IDI and Wakiso district Health teams during a COVID-19

vaccination outreach at the Bussi Islands, Wakiso.

A planning session for the Programme for Research on COVID-19

Vaccine Effectiveness (PROVE) project in Ethiopia.

Training of Red Cross COVID-19 vaccination

Champions at the IDI McKinnell Knowledge Centre

GHS meeting to
understand the Global
Burden of AMR

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 11

CORE LABORATORY
The IDI Core Laboratory is one of the region's leading providers of clinical and research laboratory
services. The year 2021/2022 was marked with significant growth and key operational achievements.
Despite the pandemic, providing accurate and quality laboratory testing services did not stop. Quality
is one of IDI Core Lab’s hallmarks and the laboratory maintained its College of American Pathologists
(CAP) accreditation for the 19th year running without a citation.

SPOTLIGHT: SUPPORT TO UPDF

As part of its mandate to strengthen laboratory
improvement process towards accreditation,
the lab supports the training department to
implement laboratory quality management
systems based on the ISO 15189:2012
medical laboratories through the Department
of Defence HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme.
The lab provides technical assistance and
builds capacity in the Uganda Peoples Defence
Forces (UPDF) laboratories through audits,
training and mentorships.

STRENGTHENING STORAGE CAPACITY

Storage facilities at the laboratory have
expanded with the growing demand. As a
critical component of the lab’s ecosystem, the
lab acquired modern ultra-low temperature
freezers from Thermo Fischer Scientific with
24-hour temperature monitoring through a
wireless system that notifies staff in the event
of a power or mechanical failure. The Core Lab has a mission to provide sustainable world class medical lab
services, diagnostic capabilities, training and excellent customer service

SAMPLES TESTED AT THE IDI CORE LAB JUNE 2021 TO JUL 2022
16000

14000
NUMBER OF SAMPLES RUN

12000

10000

8000

4000

2000

JULY21 AUG21 SEP21 OCT21 NOV21 DEC21 JAN22 FEB22 MAR22 APR21 MAY22 JUN22
MONTH

The Laboratory’s data quality is key and so standardized methods and procedures for sample handling
and processing, sample testing, and data handling are used. This ensures that the data obtained from
the IDI Core Lab is accurate and reliable.

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 12

TRAINING AND CAPACITY

BUILDING
The Training Programme provides capacity • Two laboratories (Anaka General Hospital and
development opportunities to enhance and Kitgum General hospital) supported by IDI
maintain the competence of the healthcare through the USAID funded RHITES NORTH
workforce in Africa, for the prevention and ACHOLI Activity were recommended for
management of HIV and other infectious international accreditation to ISO 15189
diseases, with the aim of strengthening by the South African National Accreditation
health systems in Africa. During the year, IDI System.
implemented new and traditional trainings that • Published a paper on “Feasibility of virtual-
supported roll out of various Ministry of Health reality based training for optimizing
approved treatment guidelines; in addition, COVID-19 case handling in Uganda" in the
IDI continued its support to the ministry's efforts BMC Medical Education journal.
to handle outbreaks; a total of 5,107 healthcare • Developed messages for sensitization of the
providers were trained. public on COVID, Hepatitis B, Vaccination,
HIV/AIDS, Malaria, dangers of self-
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS medication.
• Increased number of people trained online • Transformed content for the sexual
from 4% in FY 2020/2021 to 9.8%. harassment training and supported its roll
• Developed and conducted new relevant out to all IDI staff using the online platform.
courses such as the alcohol based hand rub • Provided HIV/AIDS and TB management
production, resource mobilisation, grant, training to over 400 medical students from
financial management and compliance. Makerere university and Islamic University
• The approach known as “Extension for in Uganda; this is the highest number ever
Community Healthcare Outcomes” was since this program started
initiated in seven military hospitals with 698 • Partnered with UJIZI training platform to
healthcare workers attending sessions on extend IDI training program coverage beyond
management of complex cases of HIV, an Uganda
increase in number of continuous medical • With funding from CDC, established Alcohol
education sessions was noted. Based Hand Rub Production Unit in Adjuman
district.

55,709 TRAINED TO DATE NEW PARTNERS

AND INNOVATIONS
• The United States department of
Defence provided resources to strengthen
lab services in military hospitals through
URC .
• The IDI e-learning platform was used to
develop and roll out the sexual harassment
course to all IDI staff.
• New technologies including artificial
intelligence, Interactive Voice Response
(IVR) and chat-bots were used to train 54
HWs and 500 VHTs on IPC in COVID-19 and
to address COVID 19 vaccination hesitancy.

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
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NEW INTER-PROGRAMME SUPPORT • Built capacity for HIV management, disease

• Inter-departmental collaboration enabled surveillance, Infection Prevention and
development and delivery of courses such control (IPC), electronic integrated
as resource mobilization, grants, financial diseases surveillance and response
management and compliance course, (eIDSR) and the Alcohol Based Hand Rub
alcohol-based hand rub and others. preparation.

SUPPORT TO MOH: SUPPORT TO MAKERERE UNIVERSITY:

• Training and GHS department worked with IDI developed an online IPC/COVID 19
the MOH teams to develop curricular in prevention course which all students had to
management of various aspects of HIVAIDS attend prior to reopening of institutions of
and global health security. higher learning.

Key Programme Achievers

• Felix Mutaryebwa and Pius Etam
spear-headed SANAS accreditation of two
labs in North Acholi.
• IDI e-learning team: Created online ver-
sions of IDI, MOH and Makerere
University trainings including the sexual
harassment course which every IDI staff
has to undertake annually.

Pius Etam
Felix Mutaryebwa

Trainees of the Biosafety The launch of the UPDF HIV ECHO

Biosecurity training sessions on January 20th 2022 with Lt. Col. Dr
Robert Zavuga Director HIV & AIDS
Directorate at UPDF

UPDF Health facility participants attending the

May 2022 ECHO session from their respective
hospitals
Infectious Diseases Institute
Annual Report 2021-2022
 14

PREVENTION CARE AND

TREATMENT
COVID19 to fear of side effects, misinformation via
media and respected peers that the vaccine
VACCINATION PILOT was not safe for HIV patients among other
After consultative stakeholder engagements often non-disclosed personal reasons.
conducted to inform development of strategies • The multi-month drug refill model limited
to improve access and uptake of COVID-19 access of the program by the patients on
vaccines among the National Priority groups, the the model owing to their appointments
Ministry of Health earmarked the IDI Clinic for being months in the future.
vaccine roll-out. • Vaccine stock-outs
Out of the 8,000 patients cared for at the clinic, RECOMMENDATIONS
20% have either diabetes or hypertension • Continued advocacy and socio-mobilisation
both of which increase their risk for severe to combat hesitancy
outcomes with COVID-19. Starting October • Interpersonal patient engagement
2021, the Prevention, Care and Treatment(PCT) strategies
program participated in the pilot vaccination • Scale-up of the Point of Care (PoC) Model
roll-out programme as an outreach centre under to all PEPFAR facilities
KCCA. PCT leveraged its specialised clinics
for mobilisation of patients and integration
of COVID-19 vaccination into routine clinic
activities.

PCT implemented screening of vaccination

status, data management and pharmacovigilance
activities. Peer influencers were identified and
trained as vaccination champions under the
GIPA (Greater Involvement of Persons with HIV/
AIDS) mandate and information on vaccination,
safety, pharmacovigilance was included in
the routine health talks. All patients were
screened for vaccination status at every visit
and the information updated in their health care
documents. Those that expressed concern were
counselled to address any questions they had.

OUTCOMES
• PLHIV screened=7258/8452 (85.9%).
• 9 out of 10 screened for Vaccination Status
• PLHIV vaccinated 6247(73.9%). Of whom
62.9% were vaccinated through the Point
of Care vaccination services at IDI
• 7 in 10 at least vaccinated 1st Dose

MAJOR BARRIERS
• Patient hesitancy to get vaccinated due

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 15

ACADEMY FOR HEALTH

INNOVATION
4TH ANNUAL HEALTH INNOVATIONS CONFERENCE

The two-day virtual conference, under the theme Collaborating to Transform: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic, was officially opened by Hon. Dr Monica
Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation. Musenero encouraged all the innovators to collaborate and share ideas, “We need to realise the
value of collaboration towards development in all sectors, including health. This will create progress and positive change for the general population as well as
the quality of life.” The conference was attended by participants from all over the world, including Denmark, Kenya, the USA, South Africa, and Tanzania. There
was International and local organizational representation from the World Bank, United Nations Community Development Fund Digital, NITA-U, World Health
Organization, KTA Advocates, The Medical Concierge Group, NFT Consult, and CENIT/GIZ-EAC. During the conference, the Academy team congratulated
Romain Rutten upon his retirement from Johnson & Johnson - Janssen Research & Development where he served as Vice President, Health Information Sciences.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a
number of healthcare challenges and it
became critical to provide healthcare
workers with decision-support tools in such
circumstances. To support this end-to-end
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data systems
for targeted surveillance and management
of COVID-19 (COAST) and future
pandemics was set up. A DSS (Decision
Support System) is under development to
aid healthcare workers in determining with
precision which people living with HIV need
to have a COVID-19 test. A prototype has
been developed that demonstrates that AI
and ML screening tools can be used to aid
health workers’ precision in determining
who should go for a COVID-19 test. For
more information, visit the Website - http://
The use of drones to carry samples across West Nile Moyo Hospital and Adjumani
coastug.org/ COVID-19 laboratories occurred during this period

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
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HUB FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HIV/AIDS (YLWH) initiating anti-retroviral therapy

IN MATERNAL, SEXUAL, AND (ART) to determine the effect of the Call for Life-
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN SUB- Uganda (CFLU) mHealth tool on ART adherence
SAHARAN AFRICA (HASH) conducted by the PhD scholar Dr Agnes Bwanika
With support from the International Naggirinya. The study demonstrated that: Overall,
Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the across the study sights, there was evidence of
Swedish International Development Cooperation progressive viral load suppression for participants
Agency (SIDA) The Hub for Artificial Intelligence who used the Call For Life (an Mhealth service)
in Maternal, Sexual, and Reproductive Health youth package compared to those in the standard
in Sub-Saharan Africa (HASH) at the Academy of care. Qualitative manuscript published in
is establishing a network of Pan-African a Social Sciences & Humanities Open Journal
Anglophone and Francophone researchers, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
organization and other stakeholders, working to S2590291122000651
enhance the use of AI and data technologies for
MSRH, with a focus on ethical AI development. CALL FOR LIFE
In addition, the hub will support up to eight Newer syphilis point-of-care tests and combined
innovators to research and validate their ideas HIV-syphilis tests are helping to increase syphilis
in the key thematic areas of maternal health, testing in pregnancy across the region. Unless
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), adolescent infected male partners of pregnant mothers are
sexual reproductive health, and HIV. Follow us treated, there is a chance of re-infection. Despite
website; https://hash.theacademy.co.ug/ initiatives to increase STI notification of male
partners of pregnant women in Uganda, partner
MEDICAL DRONES treatment rates remain low (around 17%). Causes
Using drones we delivered 675 biological of low notification include lack of knowledge, fear
samples (674 COVID-19 & 1 serum) by drone of partner violence, and lack of designated services
from the hub in Moyo Hospital to the COVID-19 for men at antenatal clinics.
testing lab in Adjumani Hospital. Carried out
16 successful direct sample delivery flights With support and funding from Pfizer, the academy
between Moyo Hospital and Adjumani Covid-19 implemented a project that used a combination of
lab covering a distance of 528km. This accounts mHealth tools to support, remind, and follow up
for 37.08% of the total distance for all the drone on pregnant women to notify their partners. The
flights conducted in West Nile in the reporting sites for the project included Kampala City Council
period (1424km). Authority clinics in Kisenyi, Kawaala, and Kiswa
health centres. The project achieved 82% Women
mHEALTH STUDY ON ADHERENCE receiving Assisted Partner notification support.
A randomised control trial of Youth living with

The Health
Innovations
Conference
convenes key
innovators in the
health space

A strategic engagement meeting with key

stakeholders about the drones project Infectious Diseases Institute
Annual Report 2021-2022
 17

RESEARCH
The Research Programme goal is to produce outstanding, internationally-recognised scholarship in
infectious diseases that can influence global policy and practice.

training for a team of multi-lingual (Senegal

RESEARCH and Namibia) laboratory technicians.
CAPACITY BUILDING
NUMBER OF SCHOLARS SUPPORTED

IDI REC CLIENTS SURVEY RESULTS

100 90
85 85
PERCENTAGE
90

80
80
70

60

50

TAT FLEXIBILITY QUALITY CUSTOMER

OF SERVICE
REVIEW

TRANSLATION LABORATORY
The Translational Laboratory supported 43
research projects, 11 trainees, mostly from THE AFRICAN CENTRE OF
Makerere University (3 Post-docs, PhD fellows, EXCELLENCE (ACE)
2 MS students and 4 trainees). Performed The African Centre of Excellence in
17,901 tests, and produced 17 publications. The Bioinformatics and Intesive Data Science at
mass spectrometry work has been expanded to its core has a mandate to enhance research
anti-fungal drug levels, and other drug levels in capacity and foster new scientific discoveries
dried blood spot and hair samples. by African researchers.
The ACE won 5 grants including End-to-end
DATA MANAGEMENT AI and data systems for targeted
surveillance and management of COVID-19
AND STATISTICAL SERVICES and future pandemics affecting Uganda
• The DataFax unit processed a total of 76,605 (COAST), Epilepsy Self-Management And
records for projects in Uganda, sub-Saharan Resilience Technical App: EPILEPSY SMART
Africa, Asia and South America. The unit APP, SPARCO Uganda: Strengthening
acquired DFdiscover license which allows Capacity for Clinical Care, Research &
for mobile-based application for tablet-based Training in SCD (SCRT Project), Open Data
remote data collection and a web-based Science Platform (ODSP), Skills, Awareness
application, which leverages the existing and Policy in Africa (ASAP).
browser.

• The REDCap team conducted management

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 18

KEY PROGRAMME ACHIEVERS

MS. SYLVIA NAMANDA, DR ANDREW DR JONATHAN IZUDI,

QA/QC Officer MUJUGIRA, one of the post-doctoral
on HARVEST trial Senior Research scholars from IDI received
successfully completed Scientist received the Charles Boucher
the certification course the Journal of the Award for the best
from the Society of Clinical International AIDS abstract presentation at
Research Associates and Society (JIAS) Impact INTEREST 2022.
she is now a Certified Award at AIDS 2022
Clinical Research conference.
Associate (Clinical Trial
Monitor).

THE YEAR IN NUMBERS AND PUBLICATIONS

ARTICLES BY AUTHOR TYPE (TOTAL =115)
45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

0 Jul 2021-Sept 2021 Oct 2021-Dec 2021 Jan 2022-Mar 2022 Apr 2022-Jun2022
IDD scholar/ex-scholar as 1st author
IDI Scholar/ex-scholar as Co-author
Others

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 19

No. of active No. of new research No. of Research Forum

research projects: grants obtained: sessions held:

137 STUDIES
14 GRANTS
47 SESSIONS

SCIENCE FAIR 2022

The Science Fair was held virtually from 24-25 February 2022 under the theme: A Tale of Two Pandemics:
Harnessing Science in a Rapidly Changing Landscape. The fair hosted 26 presentations, one “Meet the
mentor session” and was attended by 501 people on day 1 and 373 on day 2.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO UGANDA NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(UNCST) AND MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
• Development of the National Research Biobanking Guidelines published by UNCST in 2021.
• Provision of rooms and infrastructure, hardware and software platform for MSc and PhD and other
researchers in Bioinformatics at the ACE.
• Teaching and supervision of masters and PhD students of Makerere University.

Prof. Jessica Kissinger, a

visiting professor from
University of Georgia
receiving an award
for her outstanding
contribution to the BrecA
Bioinformatics program Virtual Reality surgical
conference 2022 ACE in
collaboration with VRiMS

A research dissemination
Infectious Diseases Institute
Annual Report 2021-2022
training
 20

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND

DEVELOPMENT
The Strategic Planning and Development (SPD) Department leads the IDI strategy cycle
and coordinates IDI efforts to acquire, manage and report on resources entrusted to
the Institute by its external partners.

FY 2021/2022 RESOURCE ACQUISITION AND UTILIZATION SUMMARY

REVENUE BY SOURCE
US Govt PEPFAR
US Govt Non-PEPFAR
US Non-Govt
Europe Govt
Europe Non-Govt
Govt of Uganda 0
Other Govt 0.2
Other Non-Govt
Self-Generated Income

REVENUE BY PROGRAMME AREA

61 Health Systems Strengthening

16 Research

12 Global Health Security

PCT

Training
IDI Core Lab Income

Others

STRATEGY/STRATEGIC INFORMATION:
Strategic initiatives this year covered several emerging issues /themes/organization units
including institutional cost recovery guidelines, diversification plans, Information Systems Upgrade
Enterprise-wide Digitalisation Initiatives and Bioinformatics/ Data science programming. These fed
into Board discussions and decisions that will guide developments in these areas and provide a basis
for integrating these key organisational themes/issues into the next 5-year (2023 to 2028) strategic
planning.

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 21

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT:

Over 120 grants/sub grants and contracts/subcontracts were managed to a high degree of excellence
during the year. The online Grants Expenditure and Monitoring System (GEMS) budget management
system that was developed in-house and tested last year is now fully functional and deployed across all
post contract grants. Continuous modifications and improvements are ongoing to optimize the system.
The system provides real time grant expenditure tracking across the transaction cycle and produces
budget performance data to support optimal decision-making. Many of IDI’s Uganda partners have
expressed interest in replicating GEMS functionality.

A screenshot of the GEMS dashboard

SUB GRANTING:
In the financial year 2021/2022, new partnerships were established with eight organizations within
Kampala-Wakiso Region and 83 sub grants to implementing partners are currently in progress at IDI. A
total of 13 organizations transitioned from the Key Populations Investment Fund (KPIF) grant to Kampala
Health Project (KHP) whereas the contractual agreements for nine organizations ended. As a way to
enhance sub grantee sustainability, IDI focused on building the capacity of the organizations in different
aspects such as: financial management, gender-based violence and basic counselling targeting peers,
infection, prevention and control, quality improvement, data management and usage among others. IDI
conducted several trainings in resource mobilization and grants management for grantees receiving CDC
funding. In total, 150 individuals from 25 organisations hailing from five regions of Uganda were trained.

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION:

During the year, SPD supported the award of sub-grants to partners across 15 African countries with
whom IDI is co-implementing the Program for Research on COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness (PROVE).
PROVE is an implementation research project funded by the MasterCard Foundation through Africa CDC.
Sub-grantees identified and vetted through this project will form a network through which IDI can rapidly
roll out research projects across the African region.

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 22

COMPLIANCE:
IDI carried out 12 financial reviews for its 83 sub grantees to ensure compliance with funder
guidelines. Institutional single audits for USAID, CDC and NIH were successfully supported.
Eighteen grants team members attended a three-day "CDC and USAID' Financial Management and
Compliance 2022 and Beyond" training to refresh their knowledge of US government compliance
guidelines.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

SPOTLIGHT
This year the Human Resources function was carved out of the
Finance and Administration Department where it had been
nestled for the past 19 years. The Institute board and management
appointed Paul Ramanda Rugambwa as the inaugural head of the
Human Resource department and he took up his position on the
Senior Management Team in February 2022. Paul brings along
17 years’ experience in HR practice and leadership, having led HR PAUL RUMANDA RUGAMBWA
teams in the private sector across East and Southern Africa. HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES

STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING

As at June 2022, IDI employs 2,568 staff. The Human Resource function has purposed to
intentionally build staff capacity this year through a variety of training programmes.
NUMBER OF STAFF TRAINED PER MONTH
Number of staff trained per month
1000 940

3,515
900
800 702
700 630
No of staff

600 523
500 372 staff were
400
300 186 trained in
200 79
100 26 0 0
57 TotalFY21/22
0

Month
STAFF GROWTH OVER THE YEARS STAFF BY GENDER

20 22 2568

2021 1884

2020 1616

2019 1361

2018 1,344

Women Men

Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
23

FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The amounts in the charts have been derived from our audited annual financial statements.

ANNUAL FINANCIAL TURNOVER US$ HOW WE USE FUNDS

65,169,480US$
70000000

60000000

50000000 13%
40000000

30000000

20000000

10000000 87%
0
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Total Programme Costs
Grant Income Self-Generated Income Total Admin Costs

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IDI STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS


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Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 24

IDI STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

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Infectious Diseases Institute

Annual Report 2021-2022
 Celebrating Nurses Day at the PCT Clinic

IDI was selected as host organisation for the 17th Annual INTEREST meeting with a
multi-partner committee put together by the Institute's executive director The Bioinformatics Symposium

Accelerated Mass Vaccination

Programme for COVID19
DREAMS beneficiaries demonstrating the
The IDI Science Fair is held every NO means NO Slogan with US Ambassador
calendar year in the first quarter Natalie Brown at a visit to Safe Spaces

International Accreditation of the

National Microbiology Laboratory COVID-19 Training for partner organisations

The artist Kwizera painting during

the INTEREST2022 Conference Youth counselling sessions at Kawaala HCIII
Experimenting the donning and doffing
during the Ebola Outbreak

HSS-IS Nomad implementation

system training Good Clinical Practice training for Academy staff
Yellow fever dissemination meeting
 Team building activity of the IDI Strategic
Planning and Finance Departments

IDI Executive Director at the Peter Kilmarx, Acting

Annual HIV Clinical Forum ahead of Director, Fogarty International CDC Country Director, Lisa
the INTEREST2022 Conference Centre hosted at the IDI Core Lab Nelson's visit to Drop In Centres

Alwi Laboratory and ART Clinic in

North Acholi before renovation

Celebrating the Women in science

Launch of the National House to
House Polio Immunization Activities

Alwi Laboratory and ART Clinic in

Saving Mothers Giving North Acholi after renovation by IDI
Life Frame Workshop

The first Citizen's Jury in Uganda on the ethical

use of electronic medical records in research
Launch of the PROVE project at the 5th Annual
AFRE-Health Symposium in Harare, Zimbabwe

IDI PCT Team reciting a poem during the

World AIDS Day Celebrations
Infectious Diseases Institute - Makerere University

Contact us: Email:

Infectious Diseases Institute, General: office@idi.co.ug
P.O. Box 22418
Kampala, Uganda Social Media:
IDIMakerere
Telephone:
+256-31-2211422, This report was compiled and
+256-31-2307000, edited by communications
Toll Free Telephone: team within the Office of the
0800200055 Executive Director