7th May 2025, Kampala — The Acting Director of Science and Innovation at Africa CDC, Dr. Mosoka Fallah, has commended Uganda for its growing leadership in epidemic preparedness and research, particularly through the Interdisciplinary Consortium for Epidemic Research (ICER) housed at the Makerere University Lung Institute.

Dr. Fallah was speaking during a high-level visit by the joint WHO/Africa CDC Incident Management and Support Team (IMST) on Mpox, which engaged with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the Ministerial Scientific Advisory Committee (DAAC), and the Research Pillar at Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

During the visit, Dr. Fallah emphasized the critical role of natural chemotherapeutics, noting that such interventions are beginning to show promise in countries like South Africa. “Africa must harness the potential of its natural resources alongside conventional science,” he said, advocating for more evidence-based approaches rooted in indigenous knowledge.

He also praised Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Chair of the ICER Consortium, for his visionary leadership in coordinating over eight major research studies on Mpox, Ebola, and other emerging infectious diseases. “What Uganda is doing through ICER is not only helping the country but contributing to the global body of knowledge on epidemic response,” Dr. Fallah noted.

The visit highlighted Uganda’s role as a model for Africa-led epidemic research and emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, capacity building, and sustained investment in science and innovation.