On 5th August 2026, MU-JHU Care had the exciting opportunity to be among the Makerere University-affiliated institutions that hosted Dr. Steven Schiff, the new Director of the Fogarty International Center. Dr. Schiff was on an orientation visit at the invitation of Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

                                         
At MU-JHU, Dr. Schiff had the perfect opportunity to personally meet some team members, and learn about the work, research facilities and Fogarty-supported activities at our  site. He was briefed about our longstanding contribution to clinical research and capacity building, including research in paediatric and infant health, maternal and child health, HIV prevention and treatment, and vaccine development.

Dr. Schiff’s visit marks the third visit of a Fogarty Director, previous visits being by Dr. Roger Glass on 5th August 2016 and Dr. Kathleen Neuzil on 18th October 2024. This underscores the enduring partnership between MU-JHU and Fogarty in advancing research and strengthening scientific capacity in Uganda.           

In his remarks, Dr. Schiff expressed particular interest in opportunities for future paediatrics-centred research, building on MU-JHU’s established expertise and research capacity.

Our Director of Strategic Planning and Partnerships, Denis Akakimpa observations of the meeting
” This was a profound opportunity to interface with a the FIC Director early in his tenure, and to galvanise MU-JHU’s solid commitment to partnerships that build capacity for research in Uganda.

The engagement highlighted the continued importance of Fogarty’s investment in locally led research and training, while opening conversations around future opportunities to advance paediatric research in Uganda.