Title : Strengthening laboratory leadership in Uganda: Reflections from the Uganda public health fellowship program

Background: Robust laboratory systems are essential for effective health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and this requires a skilled workforce trained in laboratory leadership. In 2023, the Uganda Ministry of Health in collaboration with Makerere University School of Public Health, Baylor Foundation Uganda, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Association of Public Health Laboratories launched the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program – Laboratory Leadership Program.

Method: This is a two-year, part-time, competency-based, One Health focused, through-service, non-degree post-master's fellowship. Fellows are selected through an open, competitive process, and acquire key competencies by completing structured deliverables.

Results: By December 2024, the first cohort of five fellows had contributed significantly to national public health efforts, co-authoring four guidelines, supporting 14 public health emergency responses, publishing 21 newspaper and 10 Uganda public health bulletin articles, and presenting at seven conferences. Graduates demonstrated enhanced competencies in areas such as laboratory network strengthening, staff management, effective communication, biosafety and biosecurity, emergency preparedness and response, and applied research. These were measured through the successful completion of s standard set of field-based deliverables designed to translate classroom learning into institutional impact. Early implementation underscored the importance of tailoring the curriculum to Uganda’s context, promoting inter-institutional learning, and engaging national and international partners to ensure program sustainability. A key challenge was balancing fellowship demands with routine job duties.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the program’s early success highlights its potential to build strong laboratory leadership workforce capable of responding to health emergencies across the human, animal, and environmental health ecosystem in Uganda.

Mr. Samuel Gidudu is a laboratory leadership program coordinator with Uganda National Institute of Public Health in the Ministry of Health. He holds a Msc in Biomedical laboratory sciences and management, post graduate diploma in medical education, advanced diploma in health service management, certificate in field epidemiology – intermediate tier and bachelors in medical laboratory science. Mr. Gidudu has previously coordinated medical lab services at a general hospital, district local government, and public health laboratory services at regional health level. He is currently pursuing a PhD in education management and administration to deepen his understanding in workforce development.