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SICRA Enrolls Its First Participant into the Lango Cohort Study
SICRA has successfully enrolled its first participant into the Lango Cohort Study, a locally conceptualized and investigator-initiated longitudinal study designed to advance understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Northern Uganda. About the Lango Cohort The Lango Cohort Study is a long-term prospective observational study examining the burden, risk factors, and biological mechanisms of CVD among adults aged 40 years and older, with and without HIV. The study aims to generate locally relevant evidence to inform prevention strategies, clinical care, and policy, and to support the development of a simple, clinic-friendly CVD risk prediction tool tailored for low-resource settings. Primary Objective
To assess the burden, risks, and correlates of cardiovascular disease among people living with HIV in Northern Uganda, and to compare these outcomes with HIV-uninfected individuals across different CVD risk profiles. Key Thematic Areas The Lango Cohort integrates multidisciplinary research across:
• Epidemiology and population health
• Clinical research and implementation science
• Immunology and inflammation
• Viral and host genetics
• Microbiome science
• Socio-behavioral research
• Innovation in CVD risk prediction for PLWH
read more SICRA’s current partners include Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Lira University, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Makerere University Lung Institute, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM, AMBSO, JCRC, and the INSIGHT network.The organisation’s main research activities are situated but not restricted at Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) in Northern Uganda.LRRH founded in 1920, also commonly known as Lira Hospital, is a publicly funded hospital providing specialized health care services to a population of approximately 2.5M people. Located in Lira City in Northern Uganda, Lira Regional Referral Hospital is a 300 bed capacity hospital serving as a referral center for the districts of Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Lira, Kole, and Oyam. In March 2020 during the 1st wave of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Lira was designated by MoH a COVID-19 treatment unit (CTU).Study Population and Follow-up
The study will enroll 1,652 participants across four HIV and CVD risk strata. Participants will be followed at six-month intervals for at least five years, with the cohort designed to run for 10–20 years, enabling robust longitudinal and nested studies.
Samples and Biobanking
The study includes systematic collection and long-term storage of diverse biospecimens, including blood, PBMCs, stool, urine, sputum, and oropharyngeal swabs, with optional tissue sampling. These samples form a secure, ethically governed biorepository to support future translational and collaborative research.
Collaborating Institutions
The Lango Cohort is being implemented through strong local and international partnerships with:
• Lira Regional Referral Hospital
• MARA Rural Health Consortium
• Lira University
• Physicians from the University of Rochester (USA)
Funding
The study is currently supported through SICRA internal research funds, reflecting the institution’s commitment to generating high-quality, locally relevant evidence with potential to attract future external support.
Study Leadership
• Principal Investigator: Dr. Francis Kiweewa
• Co-Investigator: Bannet Asingura
• Site Coordinator: Dr. Patricia Apai
Call for Collaboration
The Lango Cohort is a growing open research platform. SICRA invites collaboration with investigators, institutions, and funders interested in HIV, cardiovascular disease, immunology, genomics, implementation science, and health systems research in sub-Saharan Africa. By working together, we can generate evidence that improves cardiovascular health and long-term outcomes for people living with HIV in resource-limited settings.
