Muni University in Arua City and the Uganda Virus Research Institute–Clinical Research Program (UVRI-CRP), Entebbe, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in health research, training, capacity building and scientific innovation.
The courtesy visit and official signing of the MoU took place on 23 October 2026 at Muni University’s Main Campus in Arua City, marking an important milestone in strengthening institutional collaboration in health research, training and innovation.
The partnership brings together the complementary expertise of the two institutions, with opportunities for collaboration in clinical and biomedical research, clinical trials, laboratory systems, disease surveillance, One Health, student internships, professional training, innovation and community engagement.
The signing followed an engagement between the two institutions, whose visiting delegation was hosted by Muni University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, led by its Dean, Assoc. Prof. Richard Mangwi, for a welcoming dinner at Beri Cottages in Arua City on 22 October 2026.
The MoU was signed on 23 October 2026 by Prof. Jacob Godfrey Agea, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, representing the Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Simon Anguma Katrini, and Dr. Brenda Okech, Director of UVRI-CRP. The signing was followed by a tour of Muni University by the UVRI-CRP delegation, accompanied by members of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The collaboration provides a framework for the institutions to explore joint research initiatives, strengthen laboratory and training capacity, promote staff and student development, and expand opportunities for scientific collaboration. The institutions also have an opportunity to explore the development of relevant research infrastructure and laboratory facilities to support training and research.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Brenda Okech expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the visiting delegation and reaffirmed UVRI-CRP’s willingness to work with Muni University in research, training and other areas of mutual interest.
She highlighted potential areas of collaboration in teaching, research, capacity building and professional training. She also expressed UVRI-CRP’s willingness to make its laboratories available for student training and research, support the establishment of relevant units, and encourage its staff to enrol in academic programmes at Muni University, particularly at master’s level.
The UVRI team further highlighted potential support towards establishing and equipping training laboratories, providing training in a pharmacology setting and supporting the development of data management systems.
Prof. Agea thanked the UVRI-CRP delegation for visiting Muni University and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to strengthen collaboration in public health and related fields.
Assoc. Prof. Mangwi welcomed the partnership and assured the delegation of Muni University’s readiness to collaborate with UVRI-CRP on various projects. He highlighted opportunities to strengthen Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and processes, develop the Department of Pharmacology, enhance research rigour, support clinical trials and interventions, and expand community engagement.
He expressed optimism that the MoU would provide a framework for translating the institutions’ shared interests into practical initiatives that strengthen research capacity, expand training opportunities and enhance their contributions to the communities they serve.
The partnership reflects Muni University’s commitment to strengthening its research profile, deepening institutional collaboration and expanding opportunities for health research, training and innovation in West Nile and beyond. By building on their respective expertise, the two institutions have an opportunity to advance collaborative research and contribute to improved public health outcomes in Uganda and the wider region.
