Makerere University School of Public Health

Professor Nawangwe Visits MakSPH, Reaffirms Shared Commitment

Yesterday afternoon, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, accompanied by members of University Management and support units, visited Makerere University School of Public Health as part of an ongoing visitation to Colleges, stand-alone Schools, and Institutes to discuss the management and administration of graduate training and research.

Welcoming the delegation, MakSPH Dean, Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, highlighted the School's distinguished legacy as the first Institute of Public Health in sub-Saharan Africa and its evolution into a globally recognized institution for graduate training, research, partnerships, and evidence-informed policy engagement.

Professor Nawangwe commended MakSPH for its contributions to graduate training, research, innovation, and public health impact, noting that the visit enabled University Management to learn from the School's experiences and identify opportunities to strengthen its continued growth and contribution to Makerere University's aspiration to remain a research-led institution.

The discussions also provided an opportunity to reflect on MakSPH's seven decades of public health leadership. The School offers 12 programmes, enrolls more than 1,000 students annually, 85 percent of whom are graduate students, and produces about 350 peer-reviewed publications each year. Its work extends to more than 35 African countries through South-South collaboration and enduring partnerships with the North, alongside longstanding engagements with bilateral and multilateral agencies and global philanthropies, helping shape public health policy, practice, and leadership in Uganda and beyond.

Discussions focused on the priorities needed to sustain MakSPH's long-standing contribution to public health through knowledge generation, leadership development, and evidence-informed action to address evolving health challenges in Uganda and beyond. The visit reaffirmed the value of sustained engagement between University Management and academic units in supporting institutional excellence and ensuring that Makerere University continues to contribute solutions to some of the region's most pressing public health challenges.

MakSPH Launches Study on Lead Contamination in Domestic Cookware Used in Kampala's Informal Settlements

Makerere University School of Public Health, on 11 June 2026, convened a stakeholder inception workshop to launch a year-long study on lead contamination, supply chains, and exposure pathways associated with domestic cookware used in Kampala's informal settlements. Supported through the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) with funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the study is led by Mr. Douglas Bulafu, Mr. Tom Okade, and Dr. Rawlance Ndejjo.

Lead exposure remains a significant public health concern, particularly for children and women of reproductive age. In Uganda, exposure has been linked to contaminated water, paint, toys, and other consumer products, with studies reporting elevated blood lead levels among children. Its effects can be lifelong, including irreversible brain damage and learning difficulties in children, as well as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Low-cost cookware made from recycled scrap metals, like aluminium pots and saucepans, has also been linked to household lead exposure.

The study will determine lead levels in commonly used cookware, trace how potentially contaminated products move through supply chains into households, and identify practical interventions to reduce exposure. Using a mixed-methods design, the team will analyse cookware samples sourced from markets, roadside vendors, retail shops, and supermarkets, conduct market assessments and interviews with key actors, and engage stakeholders in Kisenyi, Katanga, Bwaise, Namuwongo, Banda, and Kasubi to validate findings and identify interventions.

The evidence generated will support safer cookware choices, strengthen standards and market oversight, and provide decision-makers with locally relevant evidence to advance policies and practices that promote healthier households and safer consumer products in Uganda.

Rebecca Nuwematsiko Successfully Defends PhD on Mobile Health Interventions for TB Care

Yesterday, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) celebrated the successful PhD defence of Ms. Rebecca Nuwematsiko, who presented her thesis titled, “Effect of Mobile Health Interventions to Enhance Completion of the Diagnostic Process among People with Presumed Tuberculosis in Central Uganda.”

The study assessed the effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in improving completion of the tuberculosis diagnostic process, generating evidence to strengthen timely diagnosis and linkage to care for people with presumed tuberculosis in Uganda.

MakSPH acknowledges the academic team that guided and examined this work. The defence was chaired by Prof. Fred Nuwaha, with Dr. Francis Bajunirwe serving as Opponent, while Dr. Lydia Nakiyingi, Dr. David Kaawa Mafigiri, and Dr. Wilber Sabiti served as examiners. The School also recognizes the supervision provided by Assoc. Prof. Esther Buregyeya, Assoc. Prof. Noah Kiwanuka, and Assoc. Prof. Lynn Atuyambe, as well as the oversight of the Doctoral Committee members, Prof. Elizeus Rutebemberwa and Assoc. Prof. Angella Musiimenta.

MakSPH congratulates Dr. Rebecca Nuwematsiko on this achievement and appreciates the contributions of her supervisors, examiners, doctoral committee, and defence chair. Her research adds to the evidence base on the use of digital health innovations to strengthen tuberculosis diagnosis and care in Uganda.

🇨🇩 Ebola Response Intensifies in Eastern DRC

As efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak accelerate in Ituri Province, Military Governor Major General Kasongo Mulumba Gaby arrived in Bunia to strengthen coordination of response activities.

Supporting the response, AFENET has deployed an additional team of field epidemiologists to work alongside health authorities in surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing, and outbreak control in the affected health zones of Nyakunde, Mungwalu, and Rwampara.

With eastern DRC facing both public health and security challenges, rapid deployment of skilled responders remains critical to interrupting transmission and protecting communities.

🇺🇸 The U.S. Embassy, through IOM Uganda , handed over thermal scanners & health screening supplies to 🇺🇬 Ministry of Health- Uganda at Entebbe International Airport as part of the rapid and comprehensive response to . “Through more than $220 million the Department of State is providing directly for the Ebola response and preparedness efforts, implementing organizations continue to support contact tracing, border and point-of-entry screening, response efforts at dozens of health clinics in affected areas, and community education to combat misinformation about how Ebola spreads.” - A/DCM, Jessica Healey.

MakSPH Congratulates Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi on His Assumption of Office as Minister of Health

Makerere University School of Public Health extends its warm congratulations to Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi upon his assumption of office as Minister of Health of the Republic of Uganda.

As he takes on this important responsibility, the School looks forward to continued collaboration in advancing evidence-informed public health, strengthening health systems, and improving the health and well-being of communities across Uganda.

We wish him every success in his service to the nation and in leading efforts towards a healthier future for all Ugandans.

Thank You, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero

Makerere University School of Public Health expresses its sincere appreciation to Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero for her decade of leadership as Uganda's Minister of Health and for her enduring partnership with the School and the wider public health community.

As a distinguished alumna, Dr. Aceng's service has contributed significantly to strengthening health systems and advancing public health in Uganda.

We thank her for her dedicated service and wish her every success in her continued service to the nation.

Happening Tomorrow: Public PhD Defence | Ms. Rebecca Nuwematsiko | 16 June 2026 | 11:00 am EAT

The Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, warmly invites you to the Public PhD Defence of Ms. Rebecca Nuwematsiko, where she will present her research titled “Effect of Mobile Health Interventions to Enhance Completion of the Diagnostic Process among People with Presumed Tuberculosis in Central Uganda.”

This study contributes to efforts to strengthen tuberculosis case detection and diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and leverage digital health innovations to advance public health in Uganda and similar settings.

Key Details
📅 Tuesday, 16 June 2026
🕚 11:00 am EAT
📍 MakSPH Auditorium, Eastern Gate, Makerere University
💻 Register to join via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/b2LyMd21RGeRUrlfTOyNNw

Researchers, public health professionals, students, partners, and other interested stakeholders are warmly invited to attend and engage in this scholarly discussion.

MakSPH Celebrates Juliana Namutundu's PhD Defence

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) congratulates Juliana Namutundu on the successful defence of her PhD thesis, “Improving Cervical Cancer Screening Literacy among Rural Women Living with HIV in Eastern Uganda: User-Engaged Design and Evaluation of Strategies,” defended today, June 10, 2026, at Makerere University.

Dr. Namutundu's research contributes important evidence on improving cervical cancer screening literacy and uptake among rural women living with HIV through context-specific, user-engaged interventions including peer education, locally tailored information materials, and educational videos.

MakSPH extends its appreciation to the academic team that guided the study and doctoral defence. The defence was led by Prof. Amos Deogratius Mwaka of Gulu University as Opponent, with Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi, Prof. Freddie Ssengooba, and Dr. Sarah Nakubulwa serving as panellists. The study was supervised by Dr. Edith Nakku-Joloba, Assoc. Prof. Miriam Nakalembe, and Dr. Juliet Kiguli. Oversight was provided by the Doctoral Committee comprising Prof. Fredrick Makumbi and Assoc. Prof. Noah Kiwanuka, while the defence was chaired by Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye.

MakSPH celebrates this significant academic achievement and its contribution to cervical cancer prevention and public health in Uganda.