Uganda Case Research Collaboration (UCRC)

The Uganda Case Research Collaboration (UCRC), also known as the Uganda-CWRU Research Collaboration, is a long-standing partnership between Makerere University in Uganda and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in the United States. Established in 1986, the collaboration was initiated to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda and has since expanded its focus to include tuberculosis (TB), non-communicable diseases, and capacity building in biomedical research.

Key Highlights

• Founding and Evolution: The collaboration began following an invitation to Dr. Frederick C. Robbins, a Nobel Laureate and CWRU professor, to assist with the HIV/AIDS crisis in Uganda. It officially commenced with grant funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health in 1988 .

• Research Achievements: UCRC has conducted over 50 clinical studies, including Africa’s first HIV/AIDS vaccine clinical trial (1997–2000). The collaboration has also been pivotal in studies on TB prevention in HIV-infected adults and has expanded into research on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and biomedical engineering .

• Training and Capacity Building: Since 1988, more than 135 students have received training through Fogarty International Center grants, with many alumni now holding leadership positions in Uganda’s health sector. The collaboration has secured over $250 million in research and training funding .

• Infrastructure Development: In 2024, a $2 million grant from The Roe Green Foundation facilitated the establishment of a dedicated research and training facility in Kampala, enhancing the collaboration’s capacity for medical education and research .

Contact Information

• Email: tbru@case.edu

• Website: Uganda-CWRU Research Collaboration

• Mailing Address:

  Uganda-CWRU Research Collaboration
  Tuberculosis Research Unit
  Biomedical Research Building, 10th Floor West
  2109 Adelbert Road
  Cleveland, OH 44106, USA

• Phone: +1 216-368-1949

For local inquiries in Uganda, you may contact the Makerere University College of Health Sciences:

• Address: P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda

• Phone: +256 41 4530 020

• Email: pr.chs@mak.ac.ug