The Makerere University Centre of Excellence for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) presents its 2025 Annual Progress Report, highlighting evidence-driven actions and local leadership in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the past year, flagship initiatives reached over 120,000 small and sick newborns across 20 high-burden districts, contributing to a historic 85.3% reduction in institutional neonatal mortality in the Tooro region. The report details key achievements across its five strategic pillars, breakthrough regional projects like the Uganda Newborn Programme, and digital health innovations transforming public health tracking and cancer diagnostics across the region.

The Uganda Newborn Programme, led by Makerere University School of Public Health, aimed to improve survival and quality of care for small and sick newborns across 36 health facilities in Uganda. Over three years (2022–2025), the programme recorded a 26% reduction in neonatal mortality and a 29% reduction in asphyxia case fatality rates, alongside major improvements in infection prevention, resuscitation capacity, and newborn care systems. Despite persistent health system challenges such as staffing gaps, delayed referrals, and supply shortages, the programme achieved nationwide scale-up of newborn care interventions, strengthened Ministry of Health protocols, and contributed evidence that is now shaping national newborn health policy.