Find quick answers about ARCAD, our research, training, partnerships, publications, and opportunities.
ARCAD (African Research Centre on Aging and Dementia) is a Ugandan non-profit research institute dedicated to advancing scientific research on ageing, dementia and health systems affecting older persons. The Centre supports collaboration, innovation and evidence generation to improve healthcare, public policy and the quality of life of older adults across Uganda and Africa.
ARCAD exists to address the growing need for specialized research on ageing and dementia in Africa. The Centre promotes healthy ageing, supports dementia research, builds research capacity, strengthens partnerships, develops evidence-based policy, and serves as a leading knowledge hub for ageing research across Uganda and the continent.
ARCAD was established in 2017 by a team of social gerontology researchers inspired to advance ageing and dementia research in Africa. Since then, the Centre has grown into a leading collaborative research institute working with national and international partners.
ARCAD is an independent trusteeship registered under the Trustees Incorporation Act (Chapter 318). It operates as a non-profit research institution governed through an independent board structure rather than private ownership.
ARCAD is governed by a Board of Governors and a Board of Trustees, supported by Finance, Audit & Risk and Scientific Advisory Committees. Day-to-day operations are managed by the Executive Director together with the senior management team responsible for science, finance, operations and institutional development.
ARCAD was established to provide a dedicated platform for research on ageing and dementia. The Centre promotes multidisciplinary research spanning biomedical science, clinical care, epidemiology, public health, health systems, social sciences and policy, ensuring research findings are translated into practical improvements for older persons.
Beyond ageing and dementia, ARCAD researchers investigate hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, mental health, maternal and child health, chronic diseases, health systems, epidemiology, digital health, implementation science and public health policy.
ARCAD continues to expand into emerging fields including healthy ageing, dementia care innovation, digital health technologies, long-term chronic disease management, urbanisation and ageing, implementation science and technology-enabled care for older populations.
Yes. ARCAD works with local and international partners to provide Master's programmes, internships, research fellowships, short professional courses, capacity-building programmes, PhD supervision and practical research training for future scientists.
ARCAD provides professional services including research archives, conference facilities, research information platforms, guest accommodation, transport support, digital libraries, research databases and knowledge-sharing services for researchers, partners and the public.
Yes. ARCAD has contributed significantly to malaria control, infectious disease research, vector control, diagnostics and public health programmes that have strengthened healthcare systems and improved health outcomes across East Africa.
Yes. ARCAD research has informed several national health policies, including evidence that supported the transition from Chloroquine to Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) in 2001 and later to Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) in 2006. The Centre continues to provide scientific evidence that guides health policy and programme implementation.
Yes. ARCAD scientists contributed evidence that helped demonstrate the value of universal mosquito net coverage. Their research informed WHO recommendations promoting wider distribution of insecticide- treated nets across entire communities, strengthening malaria prevention efforts worldwide.