News from BBAU

BBAU, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Organisation, conducted a five-day biorisk management training for personnel supporting the aflatoxin-safe laboratory under the National Livestock Resources Research Institute, 21–25 July 2025. BBAU experts Diana Atwijuka, Paul Okwalinga and Dr Benson Musinguzi facilitated the activity.

Participants covered governance, risk assessment, biosecurity, occupational safety, biocontainment, waste management, transport, incident management, audits and risk communication. Eight people participated, including six assessed technical trainees; all six met the stated post-test certification threshold. Follow-up priorities included internal audits, biosafety workplans, cascade training and continued mentorship.

BBAU Secretary General Diana Atwijuka and Volunteer Administrator Proscovia Amulo participated in management-level cybersecurity training at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, on 13–14 August 2025. The programme, organised by Milima Academy with support from the European Cyber Security Initiative, covered cyber hygiene, social engineering, cyber espionage, risk simulation, critical information infrastructure and change management.

For biosafety and biosecurity institutions, cyber risks increasingly affect sensitive inventories, genomic information, access-control records and facility data. Strengthening cyber competence therefore supports an integrated approach to protecting biological materials, information and critical infrastructure.

From 25–29 August 2025, BBAU members contributed to the expert process to finalise Uganda's National Guidelines for the Management of High Consequence Agents and Toxins. The activity brought together human and animal health, water and environment, science and technology regulation, defence, academia and public health.

The guidelines support a coordinated approach for facilities that analyse, process, store, transport or dispose of high-consequence biological agents and toxins. Strong BBAU participation demonstrated the Association's role as a national technical platform connecting policy, laboratory practice, regulation and biological threat reduction.

BBAU and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology convened a national webinar on 26 March 2024 to strengthen multisectoral understanding and implementation of biosafety and biosecurity in Uganda.

The online panel brought together leaders and practitioners from human health, animal health, water and environment, academia, regulation and regional professional networks. Contributors discussed Uganda's biorisk management progress, policy and legal gaps, professional certification, environmental protection, responsible life-science governance and the role of national biosafety associations.

Speakers highlighted the value of risk-based standards and guidance, the need for stronger multisectoral coordination, and the importance of cultivating a competent biosafety profession. Discussions also called for greater awareness, stronger training pathways and sustained engagement across One Health sectors.

Formal incorporation strengthens BBAU's ability to build sustainable systems, engage partners and serve its growing professional membership. It complements work to improve governance, expand One Health representation, maintain a membership database and develop a national biosafety and biosecurity knowledge hub.

At the 2nd Annual General Meeting in July 2025, BBAU reported 150 registered members across professional, student and corporate categories. The Association continues to broaden participation across human, animal, plant, wildlife and environmental health; academia and research; policy and security; communities and the private sector.