Dr Edward Katongole Mbidde
Director Uganda Virus Research Institute


UVRI is a government Institution under the Ministry of Health, which aims to carry out scientific investigations concerning communicable diseases especially viral diseases of Public Health importance and to advise government on strategies for their control and prevention.

Dr. Edward Mbidde UVRI’s Director says, “The Institute has really grown, this is seen from the collaborations and the magnitude of research being carried out.” “The UVRI Clinic provides the UVRI the opportunity to be relevant to the surrounding communities. It provides care fro staff and their families, Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), immunization to children and health education to the local communities.”

On the HIV vaccine development, Dr. Mbidde says, “Vaccines have always been developed for three major reasons: demand, lack of cure for disease and benefit for millions of people at risk of infection. All these are very pertinent to HIV/AIDS today.”

Dr. Mbidde says that there is hope for an AIDS vaccine as each vaccine trial that comes provides incremental knowledge.

Dr Mbidde appeals to young people with vigour and interest to join research institutions to ensure a sustainable future of relevant quality research output to the institute and the country at large.