Target Malaria research in Uganda is still in its early stages, focusing on entomological mosquito collections from field sites on islands within Lake Victoria and mainland sites. The entomology team has already collected baseline data for two years to enable studies on mosquito dynamics and behaviour.

Stakeholder engagement is also an essential part of the research. We have a dedicated team that dialogues with communities and other stakeholders, in order to inform them about the project and its activities, and to seek their consent and agreement for research activities.

A major milestone for the project was the construction and inauguration of a new insectary – Arthropod Containment Level 2 (ACL-2) – at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. Since it was opened in July 2019, the team has been conducting experiments with local wild mosquitoes.  In the future, it will be used for genetically modified mosquito experiments following regulatory approval.

The team is working extensively on facility readiness at the insectary. This will involve extensive testing and will culminate in an audit and approvals to ensure the new insectary is fit for purpose to conduct future studies on genetically modified mosquitoes. Our engagement activities are continuously taking place at the community, regional and national levels.

Since becoming part of the Target Malaria family, our staff have grown and developed additional expertise in various areas, including working in the ACL-2 insectary and all that involves; developing protocols and standard operating procedures, our field teams have undertaken new entomological collection methodologies, and our engagement teams have started a dialogue about an entirely new potential solution to vector control for malaria with the various communities and stakeholders. These are exciting times.