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First OPTIC-TB Annual General Meeting – 26-27 March 2025, Kampala

The OPTIC-TB consortium successfully convened its Annual General Meeting at Four Points Hotel, Kampala, bringing together delegates from Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, Norway, and other partner institutions. Despite heavy rain during arrival and registration, participants engaged in productive discussions over two days.

Published: (Updated: )

Meeting participants in the meeting room. One row of people sitting, the rest staniding behind them. In front are two round tables with laptops on, and in the back ground rollups and a canvas for presentations.
Group photo at the first Optic TB annual meeting in Kampala, Uganda, March 2025. Photo: Obinna Osigwe, Optic TB

Meeting Objectives

The AGM focused on reviewing project progress, sharing country-specific updates, assessing capacity-building efforts, engaging stakeholders, and planning future activities. Key aims included evaluating project performance, monitoring milestones, and strategizing on grant opportunities and research expansion.

Highlights and Remarks

Prof. Bruce Kirenga welcomed attendees, emphasizing collaboration and feedback. Prof. Amani Thomas Mori (University of Bergen) highlighted project coordination, progress toward trial initiation, and milestone reporting. Representatives from KIU Uganda, KIU Tanzania, NIMR, and Catholic University of Bukavu shared reflections on achievements, challenges, and the critical role of community engagement in childhood TB management.

Project Overview – OPTIC TB

OPTIC TB aims to optimize the implementation of WHO’s Treatment Decision Algorithm (TDA) for diagnosing and managing pediatric TB across Uganda, Tanzania, and DRC. The project addresses diagnostic challenges in children under 10 years, ensuring standardized, context-appropriate approaches. The four-year, cluster-randomized trial spans over 120 facilities and emphasizes capacity-building, mentorship, and stakeholder engagement.

Country Updates

  • Uganda: Successful protocol training, tool harmonization, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing community outreach. Challenges included sample collection, documentation, and staff shortages.
  • DRC: Focused on community and scientific engagement, scholarship support, and preparing for baseline data collection amidst security challenges.
  • Tanzania: Implemented project initiation, staff engagement, baseline data collection, and pilot testing of TDAs. Challenges included training, data management, and resource constraints.

Key Discussions and Training

Participants reviewed implementation science strategies, emphasized empirical treatment and diagnostic accuracy, and formed technical working groups. A dedicated session on timesheets and EU grant compliance ensured proper documentation of staff contributions.

PhD Scholars and Early Career Researchers

PhD scholars from all countries presented research protocols and received guidance to refine their projects. Discussions highlighted grant opportunities, capacity-building initiatives, and long-term sustainability of the consortium.

Closing and Next Steps

The meeting concluded with remarks emphasizing collaboration, effective implementation of TDA, and commitment to scientific integrity. Action points include finalizing randomization processes, sharing technical tools, comprehensive training of healthcare workers, and proactive engagement with research calls.

The AGM reinforced the consortium’s mission: improving childhood TB diagnosis and treatment, strengthening local capacity, and ensuring high-impact research across sub-Saharan Africa