General
Depression is the 4th leading cause of burden of disease in women
The Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) – DVC AA has established a programme for nurturing the next generation of academics. Under this programme, recent Graduates of PhD studies will be availed the opportunity to make public, findings from their doctoral research.
The Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) – DVC AA has established a programme for nurturing the next generation of academics. Under this programme, recent Graduates of PhD studies will be availed the opportunity to make public, findings from their doctoral research.
Apart from knowledge sharing, the seminars seek to enhance networking among intellectuals both within and outside Makerere University. Furthermore, it is believed that research findings provide a rich ground for policy reviews and enhancement of national development goals.
The PhD Seminar Series Programme was launched on 2nd September, 2010 with Dr. Euzobia Baine, who made a presentation on "Gender and Teaching Education in Uganda: Responses to Contemporary Changes". The second series was held on 27th October 2010 and featured Dr. Joshua Tugumisirize, who presented his findings on “Depression, Women and Culture: A comparative study of depression among Malawian and Ugandan women”.
In her remarks The Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza emphasized on the need for Makerere University to nurture public intellectuals. “As Faculty of the premier University; the academia of Makerere have a duty to take the lead and in fact enrich public debate on issues of National Import.” “Indeed I opine that the academia have a duty to play as leading public intellectuals while at the same time maintaining rigorous commitment to traditional scholarship,” added Prof. Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza.
Dr. Joshua Tugumisirize the series’ presenter noted that although depression is a common and disabling disorder, it is poorly understood and is often unrecognised and untreated. “The extent to which cultural factors influence the nature, the experience, the extent, recognition and treatment of depression remain to be resolved,” he noted.
He further observed that although the rate of depression in women varies widely between countries and ethnic groups, women were more vulnerable to a wide range of adverse conditions and situation such as: poor relationship with significant others, poor relationship with mother, mother-in-law and inadequate material and emotional support.
Results from the comparative study showed that although the depressive symptoms were more common among the Malawian (Mzuzu) women than their Ugandan (Wakiso) counterparts, the prevalence of depression was by over 10% higher in Uganda than Malawi. The main factors associated with depressive illness were coercive sex, debt burden and marital conflict for women in Mzuzu, and domineering spouses for women in Wakiso.
It was also observed that whereas there was no difference in the level of instability of marriage in Wakiso and women in Mulanje (Malawi), the women in Uganda have more severe depressive illness. This was likely to be associated to the fact that the Mulanje women have more access to social/peer support.
In conclusion, Dr. Tugumisirize observed that there are wide variations in the rates of depression among Malawian and Ugandan women. However, the role of culture in contributing to depression in both countries remains unclear. Nonetheless, psychosocial factors which may have cultural basis are more significantly associated with depression.
Downloads
Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza's presentation
Dr. Joshua Tugumisirze's presentation
Contacts.
Dr Joshua Tugumisirize,
Formerly at Department of Psychiatry, Makerere College of Health Science
Email: jtugumisirize@yahoo.com
Phone: +256-772-929741
mwamai@admin.mak.ac.ug, Public Relations Office
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
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