Prof. Banabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, has underscored the need for African scientists to collaborate in the search for sustainable health solutions.
Prof. Nawangwe made the remarks While officiating at the opening ceremony of the 15th African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) and the 1st Uganda Society for Human Genetics and Bioinformatics (USHGB) conference.
The three-day conference under the theme “Harnessing Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for African Genomics” is organised by the Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit in collaboration with Makerere University.
“Makerere University is proud to be associated with this important conference.” Nawangwe said.
Prof. Nawangwe also asked the government to continue supporting universities to build the capacity to bolster new innovations.
Running between 3rd and 8th Feb, 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the landmark event has gathered over 300 scientists, policymakers, and industry experts from Africa.
Prof. Nawangwe said that the conference is intended to reinforce and build new partnerships that redefine the future of genomics research in Africa.
Prof. Moffat Nyirenda, Director of the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, said, “This conference provides a unique opportunity for researchers, institutions, and policymakers to come together and drive innovation through collective expertise and shared resources.”
He further said that the conference also seeks to close the research gap by fostering strategic partnerships and the adoption of verifiable, data-driven approaches to addressing health challenges.
“The conference features high-impact discussions on genomic insights into rare and common diseases to improve early diagnosis and precision medicine; ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genomics research, emphasising equitable data governance and African-led policies; AI and data science in genomics, unlocking new possibilities in disease prediction and drug development; and strengthening research networks to accelerate discoveries tailored to African populations.” He added.
The same conference will mark the inauguration of the Uganda Society for Human Genetics and Bioinformatics (USHGB). Comprised of early- to mid-career genomics research experts, this initiative will work towards strengthening local expertise through mentorship and fostering regional collaborations in genomic and bioinformatics research.
