Thursday , November 7 2024

Buganda Kingdom Deputy Premier seeks more research on evolution of sickle cell

FILE PHOTO: A lab technician tests sickle cell samples at the central public health laboratories.

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Buganda Kingdom Deputy Premier Hajji Doctor Twaha Kawaase has asked researchers to conduct further studies on the genetic evolution of Sickle cell disease, to create a deeper understanding of its manifestation among diverse multicultural communities.

Dr Kawaase specifically wants researchers to consider a more extensive study on how Sickle Cells conducts itself in the African multicultural communities that are even known to have a higher resistance to some diseases.

According to Kawaase, it is surprising that in multicultural communities of Uganda and Africa, where clan members do not intermarry, the disease prevalence remains higher compared to the Arabian, Asian and Europe where even close relatives can intermarry. The disease is a group of disorders inherited from a person’s parents.

He was speaking during the closure of the first ever International Summer School in Uganda (ISSU) on Survey Methodology and Data Management, at Muteesa I Royal University’s main campus in Masaka.

The two-week specialized research clinic was organized by the German Research Organization of GESIS-Leibniz Institute for Social Development to enhance capacities of the different university scholars and staffs of research institutions from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Kawaase added that the Kingdom, through a partnership with Uganda Bureau of Statistics-UBOS has established its semi-autonomous data collection centre to enable them to get customized figures about challenges affecting their people, for purposes of putting in place systems of investing appropriate solutions.

He is optimistic that proficiency obtained and research collaborations the University has entered into with other regional and international institution is a grand opportunity for the Kingdom to achieve her aspiration of lifting the livelihoods of communities.

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The persons that that took part in the specialized research training were from; Bugema, Ndejje, Makerere, Nkumba, Muteesa, Islamic University in Uganda, and their Kenya counterparts of Nairobi and Kisii universities.

The other participating partner organizations are Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Wilsken Agencies, Economic Policy Research Centre, African Union of Conservationists, Network for Education and Multidisciplinary Research, African Population and Health Research Centre; that have now formed a regional scientific research network that will enable them to share knowledge and data through a common platform.

Professor Vincent Kakembo, the Vice-Chancellor at Muteesa I Royal University says they are now looking forward to using the collaboration to lobby for research funding for the institution and improve the quality of its academic works.

Professor Doctor Christof Wolf, the President of GESIS-Leibniz Institute for Social Development of Germany, indicated that their team are committed to continuing supporting the established network through capacity building and financial resources.

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