East African member states have collaborated on a study tour at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) for an understanding of the biosafety and regulatory requirements of the genetically modified mosquitoes, undertaken by Target Malaria Uganda. The visit funded by African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA- NEPAD) was to give East African delegates a firsthand experience of Uganda’s operational and regulatory environment for GM mosquito research.
The initiative involved sharing knowledge and best practices related to malaria control and elimination, with a specific focus on innovative approaches like gene drive technology, to strengthen regional efforts to combat malaria, which remains a significant public health challenge in the region.
The delegation at UVRI was welcomed by Professor Pontiano Kaleebu, the director of the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), who expressed pride in hosting the Target Malaria Project.
“I don’t think we can really keep away from genetic modifications. When we talk about vectors, we have one project that is the gene drive we are also discussing, which is targeting malaria. We’re also discussing with our colleagues of oxitec on another non-Gene Drive genetically modified mosquitoes, where they have already done field studies in Latin America and some parts of Africa,” he said.
Prof. Kaleebu further explained that the field is really moving on, and also appreciated the participants for choosing the Uganda Virus Research Institute for the study tour.
“At UVRI, we do lab work. Entomology, virology, immunology, we do intervention studies, we do epidemiology, I think we have some of the most equipped laboratories in the country, and part of our work is also capacity building and networking. So I thank AUDA-NAPED for the good work they are doing, but also for bringing you to discuss this topic.”
In conclusion, Prof. Kaleebu encouraged the delegation to take full advantage of this opportunity to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and build partnerships that will collectively advance efforts to control malaria and safeguard public health across Africa, saying, “I hope we will continue working together, networking and ensuring that whatever has been discussed will move forward.”
According to Jonathan Kayondo, the principal investigator of the gen drive study, the target is to have some common standard requirements put in place that go beyond just Uganda, because if this tool is to work the way it is set to work, it does also have an impact beyond only just Uganda since the mosquitoes, for them can’t have boundaries.
“If we control here, even if we do it very well, and the other people do not, then their mosquitoes will come here. So it’s a good opportunity for me to integrate how we fight the disease. So that’s how we harness the technology,” he remarked.