The primary focus of involvement in Uganda has been through the Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology Program (DGNN) to build neurosurgical capacity. Michael Haglund, professor of neurosurgery, neurobiology and global health, regularly leads teams of medical professionals to Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital to perform surgeries and train local professionals. Haglund co-developed the East African Neurosurgery Residency Training Program, as well as the Placement of Life-Changing Usable Surplus Program (Global Health PLUS), which facilitates donation of medical equipment to hospitals in Uganda.

DGHI has also provided support in building biomedical engineering capacity at Makerere University to accelerate the development of biomedical engineering in Uganda. Other areas of faculty research include cervical cancer, mhealth, maternal and child health, mental health and health systems strengthening. With such a diverse research portfolio in Uganda, global health students have been able to take advantage of unique fieldwork opportunities to advance their education and training.