Background Regional Referral Hospitals (RRHs) are mandated by MoH to conduct research to provide evidence-based care to patients, however most lack the knowledge and skills. These provide mostly tertiary care to patients and serve as referrals for several districts under their catchment. Eastern Africa Consortium for Clinical Research (EACCR) through its HIV work package builds capacity for conducting ICH-GCP complaint research in the region.

Methods Two RRHs from two regions in Uganda with high volumes of patients were considered: Masaka RRH and Jinja RRH located in Central and Eastern Uganda respectively.

Results The needs assessment done to identify the research capacity gaps, showed that the hospitals lacked Institutional review board (IRBs) to guide and evaluate research protocols. Memorandum of understanding were signed between Masaka and Jinja RRHs and the EACCR HIV work package. The parties agreed to train and build capacity of the members of the IRBs to review protocols and establish IRB offices in Masaka and Jinja RRHs.

Over 10 staff from each of the two hospitals were trained in good clinical practice, Research management, protocol reviews and research bioethics during pandemics. Masaka RRH had their IRB office refurbished with lockable cabins, a computer, and a printer scanner. The administrators received a one-weeks mentorship attachment to the IRB office at UVRI to learn IRB office operations. The IRB in Masaka and Jinja were guided to develop Standard Operational procedures (SOPs) as reference documents for operations. The IRB Office in Jinja had their office renovated and lockable -movable cabins were installed. All these RRHs are in the process getting accreditation from Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST). UVRI IRB continues to provide peer mentorship to these two IRBs.

Conclusion When accredited, the two hospitals will use the patients and cohorts’ data for health research to answer research questions affecting communities in Uganda.