Umuhoza received the award at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-Merck Africa Research Summit (MARS) in Mauritius.
The summit aimed at bringing together researchers from across Africa to discuss the generation, sharing and dissemination of research data and to prepare for the road ahead in Africa’s development as an international hub for research excellence and scientific innovation.
Held on 28th and 29th November, this year’s summit aimed to contribute to building research capacity in the African research community, with special focus on “The Role of Scientific Research in responding to Cancer and Vaccines Development – two emerging challenges in Africa”.
It is under the summit where different peopleincluding Umuhoza showcased innovative research projects, programs and initiatives across African universities and the wider African research community.
Umuhoza was awarded as the 4th among MARS Best African Women Researchers Award. She is the only person from East Africa scooped such award in this year’s event.
Umuhoza’s research focused on cancer knowledge among fellow interns preparing to enter healthcare profession.
It is the second time for Umuhoza to attend such summit as she attended last year’s that held in Ethiopia.
“I scooped this award due to my research that has much impact to population, it will help people to careful and help them live well,” said Umuhoza
She added that though cancer continues to claim lives of many, she is optimistic that sustainable solution will be found.
“I’m always saddened with seeing people dying, whereas there could have been some deworms or early treatment. Though there is scarcity of knowledge, I believe that these researches will result into tangible thing,” she added.
The 2015 World Health Organisation’s (WHO) report on cancer revealed that the disease claimed lives of over eight million people around the World.
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