Director’s Message

The times are promising. It’s been more than 31 years of combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic globally and now, UNAIDS has set a target of ending the epidemic by 2030. What a visionary goal!
What is energizing and exciting is that we are vigorously working towards it.
We now have abundant evidence demonstrating that we would not have reached this stage without landmark research initiatives and later advances. We pay tribute to these initiatives and the men and women making them happen whatever the odds.
Whether viewed from the perspective of a person living with HIV/AIDS or health worker or government, now we know ways to prevent, diagnose and treat HIV/AIDS that we could not have dreamt of just a decade ago. The breakthroughs of the role of safe male circumcision, TasP and PrEP as concepts of prevention have been remarkable tools in our efforts. Thanks to these initiatives.
UVRI-IAVI researchers have played key roles in this research; we have evolved as a centre for HIV epidemiological studies in preparation for future HIV prevention intervention studies including vaccine efficacy trials and the conduct of advocacy activities and stakeholder outreach under the CBO and CAB.
UVRI-IAVI has continued to broaden its scope of work to include direct implementation of community healthcare programs whether in the development of preventative strategies or in the mobilization of evidence based research in HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and other related diseases.
Unrelenting demand for a vaccine against HIV/AIDS, other associated infections and diseases and the ever changing dynamics in the fight against new infections of HIV/AIDS raises a strong voice that, our task is not finished.  Significant challenges to ending the HIV/AIDS and associated diseases as epidemics remain.
Prevention is still the cornerstone of our approach and hence a priority, particularly among the key populations in which HIV/AIDS and other associated epidemics are concentrated.
We have broadened our scope to include fishing communities as a key population with HIV rates that are amongst the highest in the region through the use of PTCs and PPGs.
Our continued focus will be to ensure that these populations are not left behind and that they are part of finding solutions partly through strong, diverse CAB(s) which includes representation from the populations that are hosting the programs research activities.
Our capacity, skills, creativity and commitment will be far more important to the people at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS even after the discovery of a vaccine for HIV/AIDS and vaccines for associated diseases.
There are still challenges in investing in health related research particularly HIV/AIDS and associated diseases both in winning grants and awards. This raises the need for collaborations and partnerships to bridge the gaps such as identifying and scaling up priorities for research funding.
Recognizing these ongoing realities shows that strong partnerships shall continue to be a defining feature of UVRI-IAVI and the health related research communities particularly for HIV/AIDS and associated diseases in Uganda and beyond.
Building a constituency for openness shall be an invaluable pillar in the momentum as we identify priorities and gaps where action is needed.
The commitment to community engagement shall continue to be an essential element in both research and service delivery.
As indeed, Uganda’s strength in fight against HIV/AIDS and associated diseases has been and shall continue to be bolstered by the involvement and collaboration of a wide range of research disciplines; we too, are excited to embrace this model of transdisciplinary research in our strategic plan.
Nearly all players in the fight against HIV/AIDS know that research findings are only the first step in making a difference. The application of these findings is essential to reducing or eliminating the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other associated diseases and improving the life and health of those already infected.
The latitude of our thinking in this strategic plan is that we hold the above to heart.
My most sincere appreciation goes to our Board, staff and the consultants for their input and involvement in the creation of this strategic plan for 2019-2024 and members of management of UVRI-IAVI for leading its development. Its strengths and robustness belong to us all.
I look forward to a continuation of this collaborative spirit as we implement this Strategic plan and to a future without HIV/AIDS.