PREGART 2 Project Officially Launched in Kampala to Advance Maternal and Pediatric HIV Research
The PREGART consortium has officially launched PREGART 2, a major continuation of the PREGART research programme, during its Annual Meeting held in Kampala from 11–13 February 2026. The project is coordinated by Karolinska Institutet under the leadership of Prof. Eleni Aklillu, bringing together partners from Uganda, Ethiopia, Sweden, and Italy to generate new scientific evidence and strengthen clinical research capacity in maternal and pediatric HIV care.
Opening the meeting, Prof. Jackson Mukonzo of Makerere University highlighted the initiative’s public health significance, noting that “the project is a trial for the benefit of the population” and was established to address a critical unmet need in HIV research and treatment.
Representing Ethiopia, Dr. Chirotaw Ayele, President of Hawassa University, emphasized the transformative national impact of the PREGART project. He noted PREGART’s vital contribution to strengthening regulatory systems, supporting Ethiopia’s achievement of WHO Regulatory Maturity Level 3. He further underscored that the clinical trial unit established under PREGART played a pivotal role as a vaccine trial site during the Marburg outbreak in Southern Ethiopia, demonstrating strong national research preparedness.
The meeting also celebrated a major milestone from the Ugandan study site. Dr. Yvonne Karamagi of Mildmay Hospital announced the formal accreditation of their laboratory, a significant capacity‑building achievement made possible through long‑term project investment.
The project was officially launched by Dr. Richard Mugahi, Commissioner for Women and Child Health at the Ministry of Health Uganda, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to research-driven improvements in maternal and child health outcomes.
Over the three-day event, PREGART partners reviewed scientific progress, heard presentations from PhD candidates, and conducted strategic planning for PREGART 2. Discussions emphasized capacity strengthening, research excellence, regulatory advancement, and coordinated recruitment strategies. The final day focused on financial planning, core deliverables, and long-term milestones, followed by a site visit to Mildmay Hospital.
The gathering reinforced the consortium’s shared vision of improving HIV treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women, strengthening health systems, and advancing evidence‑based care for infants exposed to HIV in Uganda and Ethiopia.
About PREGART
PREGART is a multi-country research project coordinated by Karolinska Institutet and implemented with partners in Uganda, Ethiopia, Sweden, and Italy. The project aims to improve treatment safety, clinical outcomes, and pharmacological knowledge for women living with HIV during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and to enhance health outcomes in their infants.
Building on the achievements of the initial project, PREGART 2 expands work in clinical research capacity, regulatory system strengthening, and long-term cohort follow-up, addressing key knowledge gaps in maternal and pediatric HIV care.
Funding Acknowledgment
PREGART 2 is funded by the European Union under the Global Health EDCTP3 programme and its member states. Grant agreement number: 101145768.