MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit in Uganda

About MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit

The Unit was established in 1988 to improve the understanding and control of the HIV epidemic in Uganda and globally, following a request from the Uganda Government to the United Kingdom (UK) Government. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts.

After wide consultations, in the current quinquennium, which started April 2017, we have broadened our work beyond HIV to include other infections, neglected, endemic, emerging and re-emerging infections and expanded our work in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

On 1st February, 2018, the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit formally joined the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and became The MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. The LSHTM and our Unit have therefore created a new partnership that will boost research capacity into some of the current and emerging health issues in Africa and the world.

Our Vision
To build on the Unit’s past research achievements, and new opportunities, to contribute to the control of the HIV epidemic, of other infectious diseases, and of non-communicable diseases, in Uganda, the region and the world

Our Mission
To conduct research to add knowledge and improve the control of infectious and non-communicable diseases in Uganda, in Africa and globally
To contribute to the translation of research findings into policy and practice
To build capacity for research in Africa

Thematic approach
We introduced a thematic approach to our research in order to maximise cross Programme fertilisation and to create more opportunities for synergy of skills in the pursuit of the Unit goals.
HIV and Emerging Infections
Vaccines and Immunity
Chronic Diseases and Cancer

Programmes
Our science is delivered through the following six programmes feeding into each Theme:

• The HIV Epidemiology and Intervention Programme
• Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype and Immunity
• Social Aspects of Health across the Life Course
• Immunomodulation and Vaccine Programme
• Cancer Programme
• NCD Phenotype Programme

Sections and Research Platforms

The Unit has two sections:

• Statistics and Data Science
• Mental Health Section

And two Platforms

• Bio-informatics
• Cohorts (includes support to TASO)

Research support services
Our Research services/Operations under the COO caters for finance, procurement, administration, human resource, engineering and estates, information technology, transport, health and safety and security, Grants support office, Communication and Engagement and the Clinical Diagnostics Laboratories Services.

We also have a Research Compliance and Quality Assurance section under the Unit Director, and Training and Career Development section.

Contact

UVRI P.O.Box 49, Entebbe-Uganda.
Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road
Telephone: (+256) (0) 417704000 / 0312262911
Email: mrc@mrcuganda.org