Publications
Clinical & Implementation Research
PREGART
Phase III randomized non-inferiority trial evaluating DTG and EFV400 in pregnant and breastfeeding women to inform global ART recommendations.
GOALS
Behavioral economics–based incentives to improve ART adherence among youth living with HIV.
INMIND
Structured incentive and reminder models to improve long-term medication adherence behaviors.
UPART Cohort
Long-term outcomes of dolutegravir among children and adolescents living with HIV in Uganda.
GHAP (Global Health and Palliative Care)
Piloting C-POS tools in pediatric life-threatening illness care to improve patient-centered outcomes.
Ebola PREP-TBOX Study
Community social dynamics research to inform epidemic preparedness and demand creation.
TRANSPIRE Project
Translating validated prototypes into scalable, real-world enterprises.
Digital Health & Diagnostic Innovation
MRCU is actively advancing digital health validation and diagnostic development in real-world African contexts
Evidence That Transforms Health Systems
At Mildmay Research Centre Uganda (MRCU), research is not an academic exercise. It is a structured pathway from evidence generation to health system transformation. We conduct high-quality applied research that informs policy, strengthens implementation, and contributes to product development across Uganda and the region.
- Research
Research Portfolio
Our research strategy is anchored in three pillars:
- Conduct high-quality health research that influences policy and sustainably transforms communities
- Build research capacity that conforms to national and international standards
Strengthen organizational systems to ensure sustainability and competitive excellence
1. Improving Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence
Linnemayr, S., Huang, H., Luoto, J., Kambugu, A., Thirumurthy, H., Haberer, J. E., Wagner, G., & Mukasa, B. (2017). Text Messaging for Improving Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence: No Effects After 1 Year in a Randomized Controlled Trial Among Adolescents and Young Adults. American journal of public health, 107(12), 1944–1950. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304089..
2. The role of material deprivations in determining ART adherence
Saya, U., Wagner, Z., Mukasa, B., Wabukala, P., Lunkuse, L., & Linnemayr, S. (2022). The role of material deprivations in determining ART adherence: Evidence from a conjoint analysis among HIV-positive adults in Uganda. PLOS global public health, 2(8), e0000374. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000374.
3. Supporting Adolescents to Adhere (SATA)
MacCarthy, S., Mendoza-Graf, A., Huang, H., Mukasa, B., & Linnemayr, S. (2019). Supporting Adolescents to Adhere (SATA): Lessons learned from an intervention to achieve medication adherence targets among youth living with HIV in Uganda. Children and youth services review, 102, 56–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.04.007.
4.Uncovering a behavioral strategy for establishing new habits
Stecher, C., Mukasa, B., & Linnemayr, S. (2021). Uncovering a behavioral strategy for establishing new habits: Evidence from incentives for medication adherence in Uganda. Journal of health economics, 77, 102443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102443.
5. ART medication, wealth & Purpose
Saya, U., MacCarthy, S., Mukasa, B., Wabukala, P., Lunkuse, L., Wagner, Z. and Linnemayr, S.(2022). “The one who doesn’t take ART medication has no wealth at all and no purpose on Earth” – a qualitative assessment of how HIV-positive adults in Uganda understand the health and wealth-related benefits of ART. BMC Public Health 22, 1056. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13461-w.
6. Incentives and Reminders to Improve Long-term Medication Adherence (INMIND)
Stecher, C., Ghai, I., Lunkuse, L., Wabukala, P., Odiit, M., Nakanwagi, A., & Linnemayr, S. (2022). Incentives and Reminders to Improve Long-term Medication Adherence (INMIND): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR research protocols, 11(10), e42216. https://doi.org/10.2196/42216.
7. HIV Care Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Linnemayr, S., Jennings Mayo-Wilson, L., Saya, U., Wagner, Z., MacCarthy, S., Walukaga, S., Nakubulwa, S., & Karamagi, Y. (2021). HIV Care Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed-Methods Telephone Interviews with Clinic-Enrolled HIV-Infected Adults in Uganda. AIDS and behavior, 25(1), 28–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-03032-8.
8. Increased Depression during COVID-19 Lockdown Associated with Food Insecurity and Antiretroviral Non-Adherence among People Living with HIV in Uganda
Wagner, G. J., Wagner, Z., Gizaw, M., Saya, U., MacCarthy, S., Mukasa, B., Wabukala, P., & Linnemayr, S. (2022). Increased Depression during COVID-19 Lockdown Associated with Food Insecurity and Antiretroviral Non-Adherence among People Living with HIV in Uganda. AIDS and behavior, 26(7), 2182–2190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-021-03371-0.
9. Barriers to Linkage to HIV Care in Ugandan Fisherfolk Communities
Bogart, L. M., Naigino, R., Maistrellis, E., Wagner, G. J., Musoke, W., Mukasa, B., Jumamil, R., & Wanyenze, R. K. (2016). Barriers to Linkage to HIV Care in Ugandan Fisherfolk Communities: A Qualitative Analysis. AIDS and behavior, 20(10), 2464–2476. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1331-z.
10. Recommendations for Improving Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Implementation and Social Marketing in Ugandan Fisherfolk Communities
Bogart, L. M., Musoke, W., Mayatsa, J., Marsh, T., Naigino, R., Banegura, A., Mukama, C. S., Allupo, S., Odiit, M., Kadama, H., Mukasa, B., & Wanyenze, R. K. (2024). Recommendations for Improving Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Implementation and Social Marketing in Ugandan Fisherfolk Communities: A Qualitative Exploration. Community health equity research & policy, 44(2), 189–199. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272684X221113608
11. HIV fatalism and engagement in transactional sex among Ugandan fisherfolk living with HIV. SAHARA J
Sileo, K. M., Bogart, L. M., Wagner, G. J., Musoke, W., Naigino, R., Mukasa, B., & Wanyenze, R. K. (2019). HIV fatalism and engagement in transactional sex among Ugandan fisherfolk living with HIV. SAHARA J : journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance, 16(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/17290376.2019.1572533.
12. A Comparison of Home-Based Versus Outreach Event-Based Community HIV Testing in Ugandan Fisherfolk Communities. AIDS and behavior
Bogart, L. M., Wagner, G. J., Musoke, W., Naigino, R., Linnemayr, S., Maistrellis, E., Klein, D. J., Jumamil, R. B., Mukasa, B., Bassett, I. V., Giordano, T. P., & Wanyenze, R. K. (2017). A Comparison of Home-Based Versus Outreach Event-Based Community HIV Testing in Ugandan Fisherfolk Communities. AIDS and behavior, 21(2), 547–560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1629-x.
- Research
More Publications
The role of depression in work-related outcomes of HIV treatment in Uganda
International journal of behavioral medicine, 21(6), 946–955. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-013-9379-x.
Wagner, G. J., Ghosh-Dastidar, B., Slaughter, M., Akena, D., Nakasujja, N., Okello, E., & Musisi, S.
2014
Computerized Cognitive Rehabilitation Training for Ugandan Seniors Living with HIV:
A Validation Study. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(7), 2137. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9072137.
Ezeamama, A. E., Sikorskii, A., Sankar, P. R., Nakasujja, N., Ssonko, M., Kaminski, N. E., Guwatudde, D., Boivin, M. J., & Giordani, B.
2020
Changes in condom use during the first year of HIV treatment in Uganda and the relationship to depression.
Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, 48(2), 175–183. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9586-3.
Wagner, G. J., Ghosh-Dastidar, B., Slaughter, M. E., Akena, D., Nakasujja, N., & Musisi, S.
2014
Effectiveness of antidepressants and predictors of treatment response for depressed HIV patients in Uganda.
International journal of STD & AIDS, 26(14), 998–1006. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956462414564606.
Ngo, V. K., Wagner, G. J., Nakasujja, N., Dickens, A., Aunon, F., & Musisi, S.
2015
Predictors of Access To Sexual And Reproductive Health Services By Urban Refugees In Kampala City, Uganda.
https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-783459/v1.
Mukama, C., Nakubulwa, S.,Nyirabega, E.,Mugabe, P., Odiit, M., Snelgrove-clarke, E., Macdonald, N., Bortolussi, R., Baluku, J.,Graham, J. & Mukasa, B.
2021
Goals for Adherence with Low-cost Incentives (GOALS):
A protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of small airtime incentives on ART adherence among young people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda. 24(1), 511+. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07449-z (Original work published)
Linnemayr, S. ., Huang, H. C., Wagner, Z. ., Onkundi, F. K., Mukasa, B. ., & Odiit, M. .
2023
Barriers and facilitators of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence habit formation in Sub-Saharan Africa:
Evidence from a qualitative study in Kampala, Uganda. Social Science & Medicine, 317, 115567. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115567
Stecher, C. ., Palimaru, A. I., Odiit, M. ., Lunkuse, L. ., Walukaga, S. ., & Linnemayr, S. .
2023
Changes in ART Adherence Relate to Changes in depression as Well!
Evidence for the Bi-directional Longitudinal Relationship Between Depression and ART Adherence from a Prospective Study of HIV Clients in Uganda. 24(6), 1816-1824. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02754-8
Wagner, G. J., Ghosh-Dastidar, B. ., Mukasa, B. ., & Linnemayr, S. .
2020
Text Messaging for Improving Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence: No Effects After 1 Year in a Randomized Controlled Trial Among Adolescents and Young Adults.
American Journal of Public Health, 107, 1944-1950. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304089
Linnemayr, S. ., Huang, H. ., Luoto, J. ., Kambugu, A. ., Thirumurthy, H. ., Haberer, J. E., … Mukasa, B.
2017
Short Message Service (SMS)-Based Intervention to Improve Treatment Adherence among HIV-Positive Youth in Uganda:
Focus Group Findings. PLoS ONE, 10. Retrieved from https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:145017
Rana, Y. ., Haberer, J. E., Huang, H. C., Kambugu, A. ., Mukasa, B. ., Thirumurthy, H. ., … Linnemayr, S.
2015
- Recent Publications (July 2024 – June 2025)
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Integrating COVID-19 vaccination into routine healthcare:
A feasible model for epidemic response at Mildmay Hospital, Uganda.
BMC Public Health.
Ankunda C et al.
2025
Profiling the plight of adolescent girls and young women:
risks and pathways for intervention in rural Uganda.
BMC Public Health.
Dedrix Stephenson Bindeeba et al.
2025
Enhancing malaria elimination in high-transmission settings:
Synergy of vector control and chemotherapy.
Malaria Journal.
Mulebeke Ronald et al
2025
Knowledge of tuberculosis prevention across eight districts in central Uganda.
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy.
Robert Anguyo DDM Onzima et al
2025
Longitudinal assessment of life skills and gender-based violence awareness among adolescent girls and young women.
Health and Social Care in the Community.
Dedrix Stephenson Bindeeba et al.
2025
Effect of community awareness, screening, diagnosis, and treatment campaigns on tuberculosis care in Uganda
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
Mulebeke Ronald et al
2025