UNIPH Strengthens Fellows’ Capacity in Evidence-Informed Policymaking Through Policy Brief Writing Workshop

The Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH) through the Data for Health Initiative (D4H) Program hosted the third Policy Brief Writing Workshop from 2–6 November 2026, bringing together fellows from the 2025 cohorts of the Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programme (Advanced FETP), Laboratory Leadership Program (LLP), and Health Informatics Programme. The five-day workshop aimed to strengthen the fellows’ capacity to translate public health evidence into practical policy recommendations that inform decision-making and improve health outcomes.

The workshop provided a practical learning platform through which fellows built on knowledge and skills acquired during the previous policy brief writing units. Sessions covered key components of policy brief development, including effective policy brief writing, problem statement formulation, policy options analysis, data visualisation, development of key messages, and formulation of actionable recommendations.

Through interactive discussions, group work and hands-on writing exercises, fellows worked on developing and refining their policy briefs. They reviewed decision trees, cost inventories and sensitivity analyses to strengthen the evidence supporting their proposed policy interventions. They also presented their background sections and problem statements, received technical feedback, and engaged in mentorship sessions to improve the quality of their drafts.

Further sessions focused on analysing policy options, presenting results, developing recommendations, and identifying appropriate advocacy and communication strategies for presenting policy briefs to decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders.

The workshop provided an important opportunity for UNIPH fellows from different training programmes to strengthen their policy analysis and scientific communication skills while advancing the development of evidence-based policy briefs. By equipping fellows with practical skills to bridge the gap between public health evidence and policy action, UNIPH continued to strengthen the capacity of its public health workforce to contribute to informed policymaking and improved population health.