Awamu mu Bumu (Together as One): Prevention and Management of Sports Injuries in Uganda 

• Fund Source(s): International Olympic Committee: $ Variable (pending)
• PI: Dr. Timothy Makubuya, University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Education
• CO-PI: Dr. Samuel K. Lubega, Department of Sports Sciences, Kyambogo University
• CO-PI: Dr. Haruna Muwonge, Makerere University, College of Health Sciences
• CO-PI: Dr. Aya Nakitanda, Uganda Olympic Committee
• CO-PI: Dr. Roland Mukana, Department of Sports Sciences, Kyambogo University
• CO-PI: Dr. Nana Nakiddu, Uganda Olympic Committee
• CO-PI: Lukia Kalibbala, University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Education

(i) Anti-doping and athlete health promotion (Nakitanda, Muwonge, Nakiddu, Makubuya)

Our studies and reports on vitamins, supplements and herbal usage among athletes (Muwonge, et al, 2017; 2020; 2022) have revealed relatively high and frequent usage of these products. We intend to conduct drug utilization studies on over the counter and prescription drugs use among elite athletes in Uganda to determine the drivers and pathways to their use, and ultimately identify common illnesses among athletes and how prescription and over the counter medication use contribute to inadvertent doping which have occurred in Uganda.

(ii) Injury prevention and injury risk reduction (Makubuya, Lubega, Kalibbala, Muwonge)

Findings from our studies on sports medicine practices (Lubega et al, 2021) and relative risks for injuries (Makubuya et al, 2020), indicate that contact sports such as Rugby yield more athletic injuries in Uganda. We shall conduct injury surveillance for athletes and devise mechanisms to evaluate athletes through pre- season screenings as well as conduct psychological return-to-play readiness evaluations.

(iii) Injury Management (Muwonge, Makubuya, Lubega, Mukana, Kalibbala)

Based on findings from our previous study on injury risk (Makubuya, et al, 2020), we shall conduct a current review of the epidemiology of athlete injuries as well study injury anatomy for athletes from various regions of Uganda, to aid in the designing on non-surgical management procedures for sports medicine professionals as alternative choices for injury management.

(iv) Injury Rehabilitation (Lubega, Kalibbala, Makubuya, Muwonge, Mukana)

A previous study of best medical care practices for sport in Uganda (Lubega, 2020) revealed that all athletes who sustained athlete injuries such as contusions and concussion, among other injuries didn’t receive or received inadequate rehabilitation care services. We shall conduct training for both athletes and coaches in standard and novel approaches for rehabilitation and care of key athlete injuries in Uganda.

Supplements, herbs, and doping products usage among Uganda athletes and coaches.

• Fund Source(s): World Anti-Doping Agency: $20,000
• PI:  Dr. Haruna Muwonge, Makerere University, College of Health Sciences
• CO-PI: Dr. Timothy Makubuya, University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Education
• CO-PI: Dr. Samuel K Lubega, University of Cape Town,
• CO-PI: Dr. Robert Zavuga, Uganda Olympics Committee
• Research Assistants: Samuel Mugaya, Henry Bakumpe, Vincent Morogah

Nutrition supplements are widely consumed in many regions of the globe today. In addition, the rise of potentially harmful substances sold under the umbrella of supplements has found a way in markets in developing countries. The objectives of this project are 1). To evaluate supplement and herbal product usage amongst athletes from all major sporting codes in Uganda 2). To evaluate the usage of doping substances or methods amongst Ugandan athletes from all major sporting codes. 3). To determine the existing framework for intervening in herbal product usage among athletes and support personnel in Uganda 4). To examine the existence of anti-drug abuse interventions targeting the misuse of herbal products among Ugandan athletes and support personnel. 5.) To determine the level of susceptibility to doping agent usage among Ugandan athletes and suggest recommendations for intervention.

 

Establishment of the Center for Sports Research in Uganda

• Fund Source(s): University of Missouri-St. Louis Global Fellowship Program: $1,250
• PI: Dr. Timothy Makubuya
• Research Assistant: Zori Paul

Through this internationalization effort, UMSL students in degree programs such as Sport Management and Exercise Science will receive an opportunity to interface with athletes and coaches from Uganda initially through an online platform to promote collaboration in form of peer mentoring and coaching. In addition, we anticipate creating a two-way exchange opportunity for participants through a summer program, thereby increasing their global mindset and connection to global sports.

 

Co- CoachEval Educator Program in Uganda

• Fund Source(s): University of Missouri, St. Louis, College of Education: $5,000
•  PI: Dr. Timothy Makubuya
• CO-PI: Dr. Robert Zavuga (Uganda Olympics Committee)
• CO-PI: Mr. Samuel Lubega (South African Sports Institute & Ministry of Education and Sports- Uganda)
• Research Assistant: Henry Bakumpe

The lack of proper prevention and the mismanagement of key sports injuries, such as sports-related concussions in Uganda, is among the key issues in Uganda’s sports industry today (Lubega et al, 2020). Moreover, the need for educators to be aware of the physical, cognitive, academic, behavioral, and emotional effects of sports-related concussion has been suggested through the implementation of programs such as Concussion Awareness Training Toolkit (Babul, 2015; Babul S, Korn P, Goldman R, et al (2014). Participants will be prepared in nutrition and injury prevention techniques, including equipping them in disseminating strategies to other fellow coaches.