Target Malaria Uganda participates in the 6th ABBC Symposium exploring the burden of misinformation and disinformation in science
The Target Malaria Uganda communications team participated in the 6th Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication Symposium, held from 26th to 28th August 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia, under the theme “The War on Science: How Can We Overcome the Burden of Misinformation and Disinformation?”.
The event was officially opened at the Intercontinental Hotel by Dr. Ndashe Kapulu, Acting Director of the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), representing the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Reuben Mtolo, where Dr. Kapulu highlighted that misinformation threatens food security, public health, and economic resilience, calling for urgent, coordinated action through credible science communication.
The symposium brought together participants from across Africa, Europe, and America, including members of parliament, ministers, biosafety authorities, researchers, communicators, academics, media leaders, and biotechnology experts. The objective was to identify the drivers of misinformation, assess the cost of underutilizing scientific innovations, and develop practical solutions.
The program featured keynote speeches, critical analyses, panel discussions, and interactive “bus stop” sessions where participants engaged in deep, solution-focused conversations on real case studies.
Over three days, attendees explored examples from Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, South Africa, Rwanda, Zambia and India; highlighting how misinformation around GMOs, vaccines, and public health responses can derail progress if not addressed early and effectively.
Key insights included the importance of building trust, translating science into relatable stories, ensuring availability of scientists for media engagements, involving local influencers both online and in the community, training journalists, and closing information gaps before misinformation spreads. The role of social media, community engagement, and government support also featured prominently in the discussions.
The symposium offered not only learning but also valuable networking opportunities, helping strengthen regional and continental collaboration with various attendees. The Target Malaria Uganda team returns better equipped to support clear, fact-based communication and counter misinformation with the lessons learnt from the symposium.
