Background

In 1988, we started as a collaboration between researchers from Makerere University in Kampala and Case Western Reserve University in USA (later on Johns Hopkins University). Our founders were the late Prof. Francis A. Mmiro, the late Prof Christopher M. Ndugwa, Prof. Brooks Jackson and Prof.  Laura Guay. The Makerere University clinicians working at Mulago Hospital were seeing increasing numbers of patients with AIDS (“slim disease”), including infected pregnant women and babies; and the U.S. university investigators brought external funding, laboratory technology and other research endowments to help support the planned research activities.

Since 1996, we have been formally called the Makerere University –Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration after the US investigators moved from Case Western Reserve University to Johns Hopkins University.

MU-JHU has conducted several landmark research studies, which have informed global and national policy. These studies paved the way to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission and improve maternal and paediatric HIV care.

Up until 2006, we operated under the name MU-JHU Research Collaboration. In the same year, we registered as a not-for-profit, entity in Uganda entitled ‘MU-JHU Care Limited’ with a continuation of the Collaboration’s vision and mission.

In 2022 during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Liberation Day celebrations Prof. Philippa Musoke was among the recipients of the Golden Jubilee Medal for her contribution to PMTCT research in Uganda. In the same year the late Prof. Francis A. Mmiro also received a posthumous Golden Jubilee Medal during the International Women’s Day celebrations for his work in PMTCT research.

Over the last decade, MU-JHU has progressively expanded its clinical and implementation science-research portfolio to include:

  • Primary HIV prevention
  • Tuberculosis diagnosis and management
  • Paediatric neuro-development assessment and interventions
  • Birth-defects surveillance.
  • Women’s health (including bone health and reproductive health)
  • The development of a maternal vaccine platform to assess Group-B Streptococcus and other promising vaccines.

MU-JHU partners with many local and international academic and clinical partners to achieve its mission building on its longstanding Clinical Research Site affiliated with Johns Hopkins University.

Objectives

  • To Conduct Relevant HIV Research for Primary and Secondary HIV Prevention
  • To Build Capacity of Health Care Providers and Allied Professionals in Research and Care
  • To Facilitate Community Involvement in HIV/AIDS Research and Prevention
  • To Disseminate Research Findings in Care, Treatment & Prevention of HIV/AIDS

Research Portfolio

  • HIV Prevention
  • HIV Treatment
  • TB Treatment
  • Bone Mineral Density
  • Maternal and Child Vaccines
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Birth Defects Surveillance 
  • Treatment Technology 
  • Neurodevelopment Studies
  • Qualitative Studies

Publications & Projects

Services

  1. DXA Scan- Bone mineral density imaging

  2. Comprehensive family care package

    1. HIV screening for pregnant women and early infant HIV diagnosis. 

    2. Medical diagnosis and treatment using a Family Care Model with emphasis on HIV treatment for children and adults. 

    3. Prophylaxis against opportunistic infections. 

    4. Counselling on infant feeding, adherence, and nutrition. 

    5. Family planning and reproductive health services. 

    6. Immunization, infant growth monitoring and nutritional support. 

    7. Psychosocial support for men, women and children affected by HIV and their families. 

Partners

Local Partners

Ministry of Health

Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation-Uganda

Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University

International Partners

Johns Hopkins University

Merck Sharpe & Dohme

University of Washington, USA

Westat

Medical Research Council, UK

Gilead

EDCTP

Stephen Lewis Foundation

St. George's University of London

Penta - Child Health Research

Microbicide Trials Network (MTN)

HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN)

International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network (IMPAACT)

COVID-19 Prevention Network

Department of Defense - US Government

Department for International Development, UK

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation 

AIDS Clinical Trials Group

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Personnel

Full Name Role/Designation Link to Bio
Prof. Phillippa Musoke Executive Director View Profile
Dr. Clemensia Nakabiito Clinical Research Site Leader View Profile
Juliane Etima Director, Psychosocial Support View Profile
Airene Profeta Dasal Director, Administration and Finance View Profile
Maxensia Owor Director, Clinic Division View Profile
Agnes Mary Mugagga Director, Quality Management View Profile
Jane Ndamata Director, Human Resource Division View Profile
Denis Akakimpa Director, Strategic Planning and Partnerhips View Profile
Flavia Matovu Kiweewa Director, Research View Profile
Lillian Wambuzi Associate Director, Clinic Division View Profile