Mildmay Uganda Group
Mildmay Uganda Research Ethics Committee
MUREC is the Research Ethics Committee of the Mildmay Uganda Group. It reviews research involving human participants and their data, monitors studies and supports ethical research practice.
Ethics review
Protecting rights, safety and dignity
MUREC was established in 2014 as a nationally accredited mechanism for reviewing research proposals involving human participants and their data. It assesses scientific and ethical validity, monitors studies before and after activation, and supports compliance with national and international ethical guidelines.
The committee also supports administrative clearance, community advisory board engagement and internal monitoring of research studies.
MUREC belongs to the Mildmay Uganda Group, not MRCU. It is a regulated body accredited under the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology and operates independently of MRCU management and Board. It is separate from the Scientific Advisory Committee, which is a committee of the MRCU Board and appraises scientific merit before a study proceeds.
How to submit
Protocol submission pathway
Register on NRIMS
Create an account at nrims.uncst.go.ug, activate it from your email and log in.
Submit new protocol
Choose the human participants option where applicable and select Mildmay Uganda REC.
Upload documents
Prepare all required PDFs, including protocol, consent forms, instruments, CVs, certificates and payment slip.
Review and feedback
Regular submissions should be made at least 10 working days before the last Friday of the month. Fast-track reviews receive feedback within seven working days.
Document Checklist
Required submission files
Templates for informed consent forms, community engagement plans and COVID-19 risk management plans are available through the MUREC Administrator.
- Cover letter addressed to the Chairperson of MUREC requesting protocol review
- Passport photo of the applicant with a white background
- Ethical approval from the parent institution where applicable
- Commitment and support letters from collaborating sites where applicable
- CVs of the principal investigator, co-investigators and other investigators, not exceeding four pages
- Evidence that researchers are qualified for the study, including valid professional practising licences where applicable
- Valid Human Subjects Protection certificate and or Good Clinical Practice certificate
- Consent and assent forms following UNCST format, with translations where applicable
- Full protocol with information dissemination plan
- Final data collection instruments, with translations where applicable
- Work plan and budget
- Payment slip and brief community engagement plan
Monitoring Services
Study oversight beyond protocol review
On-site monitoring
Physical monitoring visits to review documentation, data collection procedures, participant safety and protocol compliance.
Remote monitoring
Secure remote review of study data and documentation to maintain compliance while reducing disruption.
Risk-based monitoring
Prioritisation of resources where risk is highest, improving efficiency without compromising data quality.
Fees and Payment
MUREC payment information from the current website
Review fees are standardised across Research Ethics Committees in Uganda. The fee schedule and bank account details are provided below for applicants.
Keeping the committee current
Continuing training for committee members
Accreditation is not a one-off exercise. Committee members and MRCU researchers take part in regular training on national research regulation and committee practice.
On 6 July 2026 the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology held a training at MRCU for MUREC members and researchers, covering the national regulatory framework, the responsibilities of an accredited research ethics committee and the standards expected of investigators submitting protocols.
