Advanced Field Epidemiology Fellowship Program (Uganda)

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program (UPHFP) is accepting applications for its two-year Field Epidemiology Track, a learning-through-service fellowship designed to strengthen Uganda’s public health workforce. The program equips health professionals with practical skills in epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, public health leadership, and health systems management through supervised field placements and classroom training.

What Is the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program (UPHFP)?

The Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program (UPHFP) is a professional training programme that develops skilled public health leaders through hands-on service and applied learning.

The Field Epidemiology Track combines practical field experience with classroom instruction, allowing fellows to address real-world public health challenges while strengthening Uganda’s disease surveillance, outbreak response, and public health systems.

The programme follows a learning-by-service approach, enabling fellows to gain practical experience while contributing directly to national public health priorities.

Fellowship Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Develop a competent public health workforce.
• Strengthen field epidemiology capacity in Uganda.
• Improve disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Build leadership and management skills in public health.
• Support evidence-based public health decision-making.
• Enhance scientific communication and research capacity.
• Strengthen Uganda’s health system through practical service.

Fellowship Structure

The Field Epidemiology Track is a:

• Two-year fellowship programme
• Learning-through-service training model
• Applied epidemiology and public health leadership programme

Training is divided into:

• 80% field-based learning through supervised public health projects.
• 20% classroom-based interactive training.

Field Training

Most of the fellowship is spent working on real public health assignments.

Field activities include:

• Disease surveillance
• Outbreak investigations
• Applied epidemiological studies
• Public health programme implementation
• Health systems strengthening
• Quality improvement initiatives
• Cost analysis studies
• Public health research

Classroom Training

Interactive training covers:

• Applied epidemiology
• Public health leadership
• Scientific communication
• Health programme management
• Data analysis
• Research methods
• Public health policy
• Leadership and management skills

Competency Areas

Fellows develop competencies in the following areas:

Field Epidemiology

Training includes:

• Public health surveillance
• Disease outbreak investigation
• Applied epidemiological research
• Data collection and analysis
• Emergency response

Scientific Communication

Fellows learn to:

• Prepare scientific reports
• Present research findings
• Communicate technical information
• Develop public health publications

Public Health Programming

Training includes:

• Programme planning
• Cost analysis studies
• Quality improvement project design
• Health programme evaluation
• Policy implementation

Leadership and Management

Competencies include:

• Team leadership
• Project management
• Strategic planning
• Health system coordination
• Decision-making

Practical Experience

Fellows work within:

• Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH)
• Regional Health Teams
• District Health Teams
• Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH)
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC)
• Other implementing partner organizations

Throughout the programme, fellows receive supervision and mentorship from national and international public health experts.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants should be health professionals with a master’s degree in a relevant field.

Eligible academic qualifications include a master’s degree in:

• Public Health
• Health Services
• Research
• Epidemiology
• Veterinary Public Health
• Nutrition
• Environmental Health
• Wildlife
• Other health-related disciplines

Required Academic Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• A master’s degree in an eligible health-related discipline.

The programme is intended for professionals seeking advanced practical training in applied epidemiology and public health leadership.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Strong public health systems rely on skilled professionals who can respond quickly to disease outbreaks and emerging health threats.

The fellowship helps participants:

• Gain practical field epidemiology experience.
• Build leadership skills.
• Strengthen disease surveillance systems.
• Improve outbreak preparedness and response.
• Contribute directly to Uganda’s public health priorities.
• Develop expertise in evidence-based public health practice.

How the Fellowship Works

The fellowship follows these stages:

1. Eligible health professionals submit an application.
2. Selected applicants are admitted into the two-year programme.
3. Fellows participate in classroom-based training.
4. Fellows complete supervised field placements.
5. Participants conduct epidemiological investigations and public health projects.
6. Fellows receive continuous mentorship from national and international experts.
7. Participants complete a portfolio demonstrating competency across all training domains.
8. Fellows graduate after successfully meeting all programme requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without the required master’s degree.
• Submitting incomplete application documents.
• Failing to demonstrate interest in applied public health practice.
• Providing incomplete academic information.
• Missing application deadlines.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your application:

• Highlight your public health experience.
• Demonstrate interest in field epidemiology.
• Emphasize leadership and teamwork skills.
• Showcase research or surveillance experience.
• Include relevant academic achievements.
• Prepare complete supporting documentation.
• Clearly explain your commitment to improving public health in Uganda.

Key Definitions

Field Epidemiology

The application of epidemiological methods in real-world settings to investigate disease outbreaks, monitor public health threats, and support evidence-based decision-making.

Public Health Surveillance

The continuous collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of health data to detect and respond to public health events.

Outbreak Investigation

A systematic process used to identify the source, cause, and spread of disease outbreaks in order to implement effective control measures.

Learning-by-Service

A training approach in which participants develop professional skills by actively delivering public health services while receiving structured supervision and mentorship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program?

The Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program is a two-year learning-through-service programme that trains health professionals in applied epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and public health leadership.

How long is the fellowship?

The Field Epidemiology Track lasts for two years.

How is the training structured?

Approximately 80% of the programme consists of supervised fieldwork, while 20% involves classroom-based interactive learning.

Who can apply?

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Services, Research, Veterinary Public Health, Nutrition, Environmental Health, Wildlife, or another health-related discipline.

What skills do fellows develop?

Fellows gain expertise in epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, public health programming, scientific communication, quality improvement, leadership, and health systems management.

Where do fellows complete their field training?

Field placements are completed within the Ministry of Health, Regional and District Health Teams, the Uganda National Institute of Public Health, the US CDC, and other partner organizations.

Why is this fellowship important?

The fellowship strengthens Uganda’s public health workforce by developing professionals capable of responding to disease outbreaks, improving surveillance systems, leading public health programmes, and supporting evidence-based health policy.

Conclusion

The Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program offers an exceptional opportunity for health professionals to develop advanced expertise in field epidemiology and public health leadership through a two-year learning-by-service model. By combining supervised field experience with structured classroom training, the programme prepares fellows to address real-world public health challenges, strengthen Uganda’s health system, and contribute to national and global disease prevention and response efforts.

For more information, visit UNIPH.