On 17 October 2025, the CAMO-Net Uganda Hub participated in the 6th Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Science Fair, held at the School of Public Health, Mulago National Referral Hospital. Organised by IDI in partnership with Makerere University’s School of Public Health, the event brought together researchers, students, and policymakers to share insights and strengthen collaboration in public health and infectious disease research.
The Uganda Hub contributed through a vibrant exhibition and presentations highlighting its latest work on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Uganda. The fair provided an opportunity to connect with partners, share findings, and discuss how research can inform action on AMR.
Health Economist Elly Nuwamanya presented new findings from the hub’s cost of illness study on the economic burden of AMR in Uganda. His analysis estimates that the country loses around USD 22 million each year due to AMR – most of it through health system costs such as antibiotics, supplies, and personnel. He also highlighted gender differences in informal care and productivity losses, emphasising the importance of incorporating gender considerations into AMR interventions. Learn more here.
Dr Allan Kengo, Postdoctoral Scholar, shared progress from the hub’s Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) trial, designed to optimise antimicrobial therapy for people living with HIV. Recruitment for the antibiotics arm has been completed, with pharmacokinetic samples now under analysis. Recruitment for the tuberculosis arm is ongoing, with dose adjustments being made for participants showing subtherapeutic drug levels.
Racheal Claire Kyomukama presented a predictive model estimating hospital stay duration for inpatients with bacterial infections, achieving strong accuracy with a Mean Absolute Error of 1.24. Dr Andrew Walakira showcased a mortality risk prediction model using the XGBoost algorithm, which achieved 94.5% accuracy. Both models have been integrated into the AMR Data Warehouse, a central platform developed to enhance access to AMR datasets, publications, dashboards, and real-time predictive tools. Explore the models here.
Led by Khalifan Muwonge, the hub’s exhibition offered visitors an interactive demonstration of the AMR Data Warehouse, allowing them to explore Uganda’s AMR data and generate real-time predictions. The display drew strong interest from students, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, sparking valuable discussions on data use, accessibility, and impact.
The event reaffirmed CAMO-Net’s commitment to turning AMR research into practical, data-driven tools and strengthening collaboration across Uganda’s health community.
