Table 1 Summary of issues, limitations and proposed solutions

Treatment guidelines published by the Ugandan Ministry of Health are based on international guidelines, especially from WHO

WHO guidelines may have been adopted from research conducted in geographical locations with different ethnic populations, medical and cultural practices

Establishment of local research capacity to address local disease burdens

Limited funding; Most research funding in Uganda is from external sources

Many of the funders come in with already fixed ideas that do not tackle the local problems. Therefore, translational research studies that could impact local health problems rather than more global problems attract less interest from international funders

Advocate for more research funding from Uganda government

There are very few active long-standing collaborations with external partners to support the establishment of translational research locally

Most international collaborators need well established research facilities with a good track record of research in their area of interest to extend their collaboration

Encourage local research in popular areas in order to attract collaborators. Need to develop internationally recognised research institutions and centres of excellence

Poor laboratory infrastructure

Most of the translational research laboratories at research centres are accommodated in limited spaces, most of which were not originally meant for laboratories. Such spaces cannot allow the proper infrastructure or expansion required for a basic translational research laboratory

Need to establish dedicated translational research laboratories at selected research institutions and hospitals where patients are managed

Limited trained personnel/scientists with specialized skills

Most laboratory staff are not well trained to perform the sophisticated laboratory technics

Need specialised postgraduate training in the specific areas of biomedical research

Expensive laboratory equipment

Very few laboratories can afford the up to date equipment needed to perform the sophisticated procedures

Need more funding from both local and external partners to acquire these equipment

Limited research diversity

Most laboratories only performing HIV related research

Raise awareness of the local disease burden and interest researchers to venture into other common diseases. Researchers and funding agencies should also engage private universities to get involved in translational research