Mbarara data hub using AI and medical images for diagnosis
Official title: MUST Data Science Research Hub (MUDSReH)
Funded at Mbarara University/science/ Technology · NIH-11190949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses AI on clinic and phone images to help detect eye problems and cancers earlier for people in Uganda and the surrounding region.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mbarara University/science/ Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mbarara, Uganda) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,115,234 |
| NIH project number | 5U54TW012043-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People attending participating clinics with eye symptoms or who are undergoing cancer screening in Uganda or partner sites would be the most likely candidates to participate.
✕Less likely to help
People not receiving care at participating clinics or those outside the program region are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this hub's projects.
What this research studies
This project will build a data science hub at Mbarara University that collects medical images (including mobile phone and fundus photos) and applies machine learning to improve detection of eye disease and cancer. The hub will train local clinicians and data scientists in image capture, AI methods, and implementation science so tools can be used in routine care. Teams will pilot optimized imaging approaches and AI algorithms, then use implementation methods to bring successful tools into clinics and regional networks. Regional summits and partnerships will help expand the work across sub‑Saharan Africa.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could enable earlier, more accurate diagnosis using locally captured images and AI, improving access to care in Uganda and nearby countries.
How similar studies have gone: AI for fundus photos and some cancer image tasks has shown promise elsewhere, but adapting and implementing these tools in sub‑Saharan Africa is less established.
Where this research is happening
-
Mbarara University/science/ Technology
Mbarara, Uganda Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaggwa, Fred — Mbarara University/science/ Technology
- Study coordinator: Kaggwa, Fred
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Maximizing Impact of a Data Science Hub for Cancer Detection in Africa
A Uganda-based data science hub uses AI on medical images to help non-specialist health workers detect cancer more accurately in low-resource settings.
-
Pilot implementation of the WHO LIVE LIFE guide for suicide prevention in Uganda
A small, real-world test in rural Uganda to see if the WHO LIVE LIFE guide, led by district health teams, helps communities prevent suicide.
-
Mbarara hub using AI to improve medical imaging and detection
This project uses AI and mobile medical imaging to help health workers in Uganda detect disease and trains local teams to use these tools.
-
Mbarara data hub to improve medical imaging and cancer detection in Uganda
Using AI and mobile phone imaging to help health workers in Uganda spot cancers and eye problems earlier.
-
Support-Moms: a mobile health tool to help pregnant women access care in Uganda
A smartphone-ready mHealth program sends scheduled messages and social support to pregnant women in rural Uganda to help them use maternity services.
-
Factory-treated long-lasting wraps to prevent malaria in young children
A large study in Uganda will test whether factory-treated baby wraps that last up to a year can keep infants from getting malaria when used with bed nets.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.