The UVRI engages in health research pertaining to human infections and disease processes associated with or linked to viral etiology and provides expert advice, enables partnerships and communication and serves as a center for training and education.
The organization was established in 1936 as the Yellow Fever Research Institute by the Rockefeller Foundation. In 1947, scientists researching yellow fever placed a rhesus macaque in a cage in the Zika Forest. The monkey developed a fever, and researchers isolated from its serum a transmissible agent that was first described as Zika virus in 1952. Other noteworthy arboviruses discovered at the institute include Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, Bwamba virus, Semliki Forest virus, O’nyong’nyong virus, and Kadam virus.
In 1950, after gaining regional recognition, the institute was renamed the East African Virus Research Institute, it was reorganized under its current name.
After the collapse of the East African Community in 1977, it became a Ugandan government public health research institution and was renamed the Uganda Virus Research Institute. The government of Uganda administers and funds the UVRI through the Uganda National Health Research Organization, which is an umbrella research body within the Uganda Ministry of Health.
Vision
To be a world class Centre of excellence in health research
Mission
To conduct scientific investigations on viral and other communicable diseases so as to contribute to knowledge, policy, practice and build capacity while promoting institutional sustainability.
UVRI conducts research, surveillance and diagnostics. The Institute’s programmatic activities currently comprise of the following areas: Basic research (e.g. virology, immunology, genetics, genomics, molecular biology), Applied research (intervention, diagnostics, clinical, operational), Social/economic research, Surveillance, Epidemiology, Entomology, Bioinformatics, Capacity building through infrastructure and human resource development, Advice for regulation, policy development and quality improvement
Innovation.
UVRI is a home to several national and international reference and specialized testing laboratories including:
- The national and regional reference center for vector borne viral diseases;
- The national influenza Centre, a WHO influenza collaborating laboratory;
- The national diagnostic laboratory for highly infectious viral infections;
- The Africa WHO yellow fever reference laboratory;
- The national HIV reference and quality assurance laboratory;
- The national and regional reference laboratory for HIV drug resistance,
- A WHO Measles and Rubella Regional Reference laboratory and
- WHO Inter-country Polio laboratory.
Functions of the UVRI
- Disease prevention and control
- Epidemiological investigations and surveillance
- Conducts basic and other public health related research
- Involved in emergency preparedness
- Engaged in reference and specialized testing
- Participates in environment health and protection
- Enables partnerships and communication
- Offers training and education to an array of professions such as scientists, clinicians, public health specialists and environmental officers.
- Archiving of specimens
Core Values
- Productivity and quality
- Ethics and integrity
- Effectiveness and efficiency
- Team work and collaboration
- Innovativeness
- Biosafety and biosecurity
The Institute is organized under five major technical and administrative departments, which are closely inter-related. Each department is headed by an Assistant Director of Research assisted by a Principal Research Officer, all of whom are under the supervision of the Institute’s Director. The scientific departments are facilitated by administration and finance support services. There are also two Units, the Immunisable Diseases Unit (IDU) or the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and the UVRI clinic or Clinical Unit for Research, that serves both Institute staff and the surrounding community; and undertakes research. In addition, there is a training function spearheaded by a Training Committee.
Departments at the Uganda Virus Research Institute
The Office of the Director (Head of Programmes and Partnerships)
The Director is responsible for providing leadership to the research community, for advancing the research vision of the Institute, and for overseeing research excellence of programs, projects and activities directly associated with the Institute. He ensures smooth working relationship with all partners at the Institute, i.e. CDC, MRC/UVRI & LSHTM, UVRI/IAVI and NIH
The Office of the Deputy Director (Chief Research Officer (CRO)
The Deputy Director and Chief Research Officer acts as deputy to the Director and assists the director in the management and supervision of the various departments and Units and acts as the Chief Research Officer of the institute.
Finance and Administration Department
The Principal Assistant Secretary heads finance and Administration. Its mandate is to guide the Institution in the implementation of government policies and regulations, to facilitate recruitment, staff development and welfare as well as control expenditure in the Institution.
Science Departments
An Assistant Director for Research heads each science department
Department of Epidemiology and data management
The department conducts epidemiological research and data management. It also supports response to disease outbreaks.
The department is mandated to:
- Carry out epidemiological research in HIV/AIDS, STDs, malaria and acute viral outbreaks
- Provide epidemiological and statistical support to the Institute department
Department of General Virology
It conducts research at a molecular and cellular level for different virus aetiologies
Department of Entomology/Vector Biology
It engages in research on the vectors of viral infections, especially mosquitoes
Department of Immunology
It undertakes studies of the protection of the body against infection especially viral infections and protective immune responses required for the development of vaccines and diagnostics.
Department of Arbovirology Emerging & Re-Emerging
It aims at research on diseases transmitted by arthropods and old as well as newly emerging infections. The department serves as a national and international reference Centre for vector-borne and zoonotic viral infectious diseases by:
Support Centre or sections
Planning & Fundraising Planning and Fundraising is a functional area that was created to coordinate all the planning related functions. Their creation bridges the gap in the existing structure and harmonizes the functions of planning; budgeting; M&E, and information and documentation.
Internal Audit (IA); the section conducts internal audits. Because of its constitutional mandate and direct linkage with the Auditor General’s Office reports directly to the Director.
Institute Units
Immunisable Diseases Unit (IDU) formerly EPI Lab, Clinical Unit for Research (UVRI clinic),
EPL laboratory; To carry out surveillance and research on vaccine preventable diseases
UVRI CLINIC
- The Clinic Unit for Research was initially a small facility located on the UVRI main campus as one of the sources of many clinical specimens for arbovirology and General virology research from willing human volunteers. It contributed to virus discovery studies. It started providing basic preventive and curative health services to UVRI staff members, including pre-exposure vaccination against yellow fever and hepatitis B infections. With the advent of HIV/AIDS, the clinic soon started research on the epidemic.
The Unit conducts and supports health research to contribute to the mission of UVRI; and provides basic preventive, promotional and curative health services to research volunteers, staff and the neighboring research community. This clinic serves as a health Centre II under Entebbe Health Sub-District.