Implementing a Health Research Communication Program in a Low Resource Country: Experience from Uganda’s Makerere University School of Public

Abstract

is field note describes the conception, implementation, and results of an 18-month joint health research communication project, which was realized at the Makerere University School of Public Health. e project was one of the first of its kind at the university, in Uganda, and in East Africa. e authors provide an overview of a communication framework that was designed as a result of the project. e framework is intended to inform anyone who is considering an investment in research communication in a low resource institution or country. e project’s key themes about research are described: advocacy, media engagement, community and user participation, the influence of research on policy, fundraising, and networking. ese themes were synthesized from literature review observations, project interactions and activities, as well as from a situation review post-project. In conclusion, the authors find that research communication in Uganda is still low and ill-coordinated.