General
Mak Successfully Pioneers One Health Residency Program in Africa
The pioneer One Health Residency Program in Africa has successfully been completed at Makerere University under the auspices of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB). The former residents comprising 2 Veterinarians; Dr. David Muwanguzi, Dr. Shamilah Namusisi, and one nurse, Ms. Jacinta Waila (in absentia) received their postgraduate certificates of completion during a ceremony held in Kampala on 1st April 2015. Following a rigorous and highly competitive interview process, the residents were selected in 2012 to undergo this 2-year unique residency, the first of its kind in Africa.
Hosted by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), the One Health Residency was modelled along the lines of a Veterinary Public Health Residency Program offered by the University of Minnesota, where a team from CoVAB travelled to receive first-hand experience on how to run the program at Makerere. However, the program was upgraded to a One Health Residency to accommodate not just veterinarians, but other professionals in the health sector.
CoVAB and the School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences (CHS) are members of One Health, East and Central Africa (OHCEA), which was instrumental in funding the residents during their stay on the program.
Recruits on the One Health Residency program are mentored to become One Health practitioners through applied, problem-based training. The program targets a combination of early- to mid-career health professionals such as Veterinarians, Nurses, Public Health specialists and Medical Doctors to work as a team while applying general knowledge towards complex health challenges. They are expected to participate in One Health projects comprising “practice” or “clinical” component in industry, government agencies, intergovernmental agencies and university faculty. The residents are also required to get a service component of 75%, working with the private sector, public sector & academia on competency based projects and an optional 25% towards an advanced degree for those who need academic growth. All the 3 residents enrolled for a Masters’ degree and are currently in the process of completing them. Dr. Namusisi and Ms. Waila enrolled for a Masters in Public Health while Dr. Muwanguzi, opted for a Masters in Infectious Diseases Management at Makerere University.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Shamila Namusisi said that the residency program was a turning point in her life. “I needed something fresh to rejuvenate myself to go back to communities and the Residency Program did it for me. Not only has my thinking and approach to issues changed,butI have also made a lot of connections, acquired skills and stepped beyond my comfort zone”, Dr. Namusisi noted.
Both Dr. Namusisi and Dr. Muwanguzi appealed to OHCEA to give an opportunity to as many professionals as possible to undergo this unique program, which according to them, is different from the one-way education system that is offered to students at University.
Prof. Francis Ejobi, the in-charge of the program at CoVAB explained that since this was the pioneer program, a lot of challenges were met but at the same time, a lot was learnt and that enough experience was therefore gained to make the next phase even better. “We hope to attract more residents and are looking into alternative funding for the second phase of this project,” he said.
The program Manager OHCEA Uganda, Dr. Geoffrey Kabagambe congratulated the residents upon the successful completion of the residency program. He encouraged them to document their experiences for purposes of promoting acceptability and understanding of the program within the University and beyond.
Dr. innocent Rwego, the representative from the University of Minnesota noted that his university was still interested and committed to supporting the residency program. He was also happy to note that unlike in 2010 when the University of Minnesota first approached CoVAB, the residency program has gained a little more acceptance and understanding within the College.
Dr. Kabagambe expressed optimism that under the new One Health Task force project, there is hope for further funding of the One Health residency program, which he said should be evaluated and findings used to assess its impact.
The Deputy Principal CoVAB praised the One Health Residency Program for producing well rounded professionals with a lot of skills that undergraduate students at the University usually lack at the time of graduation.She urged the former residents to be available when called upon in regard to propelling this program further since it has immense potential to contribute to Makerere University’s internationalization agenda.
Article by Ms. Jovia Musubika Kavulu, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity
Through the Food for Peace initiative, the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport is stepping in to provide meals to over 200 students who struggle to afford meals, especially during the examination period.
According to Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and President of the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport, hundreds of students drop out of Makerere University every year due to financial constraints. The reality for those who remain is sometimes tougher, for they struggle to survive.
While addressing the media at a press conference held at Makerere University on November 11, 2026, Prof. Nawangwe shared that many of these students skip meals, a situation that is more frequent during examination periods, when the demands on the brain are much greater.
The University is aware of these reports and in his capacity as Vice Chancellor and President of the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport, Prof. Nawangwe lobbied the club to take action.
In preparation for intervention, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted, inviting students to come forward and share their needs. About 200 students responded to the survey, indicating a pressing need for food support during examinations.
The findings birthed a legacy project code-named “Food for Peace”, targeting, for a start, 206 students at Makerere University, regardless of their sponsorship status, as long as they participated in the survey. The Makerere Rotary Peace Centre spearheaded the survey that helped identify the first cohort of those who will benefit from the initiative and guided that for a dignified experience, the beneficially names will remain in records and not disclosed.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasised that the core mission of this cause is to move a step up with efforts to ensure that economically challenged students at Makerere University do not go a day without a meal. Service providers in halls of residence will serve these students their food following a meal card.
Seeding the Project
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, the Rotary International Director (RID) for Zone 22, while launching the initiative shared his personal experience of facing challenges that almost barred him from attaining an education. He believes education is an equaliser in life and that everyone should have a chance to access it. He reminded those in the room that they were all there together because of education.
RID Katongole highlighted the importance of supporting people, both as individuals and as a community. He expressed pride in being part of the launch of this project because it is going to create many more “Emmanuel Katongoles” through the provision of a meal.
He therefore personally committed to contribute UGX 5 million annually, starting this year, for as long as he lives or until the project ends. He also pledged to remain part of the initiative.
92nd Guild Commends “Service above Self”
From a student perspective, H.E. Kadondi Gracious, the 92nd Makerere University Guild President, delivered a vote of thanks for the initiative. She noted that students had petitioned Parliament to intervene in the matter and were happy that solutions had started coming from within.
She framed this move not just as charity, but as a way of restoring hope to Makerereans who were unsure of how they were going to maneuver through the examination period without lunch. In appreciation, the Guild President commended Rotary for showing what it actually means to offer service above self.
Sustainability of the “Food for Peace” Project
Although the immediate intervention is directed towards fewer than 300 students who expressed a need for assistance, the vision is bigger and looking beyond the current examination season.
As the Rotary Passport Club President noted, “if this is going to be sustainable, it means we are going to look out for partners to create a fund to sustain this initiative.”
The Club Secretary, Associate Professor Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, explained that as a legacy project, it is not a one-off. She committed the services of the Passport Club to supporting this legacy project.
Grounding the sustainability move, RID Emmanuel Katongole set the pace by pledging annual cash and in-kind support towards providing consistent assistance to students throughout subsequent academic periods, thereby enhancing student welfare over the long term.
Dr Winfred Kabumbuli, the Makerere University Dean of Students, showed strong support for the initiative since it falls within the core mission of student welfare. She appreciated the collaboration with Makerere University Passport Club, and pledged to rally internal support.
Call to Action and Contributions
The Club President made an appeal to alumni, corporate bodies, development partners, individuals and institutions of goodwill to join this noble cause, intended to ensure that students not only remain at the University but also attain their full potential on a full stomach.
The immediate fundraising goal is UGX 10 million shillings, which is required to implement the initial phase of food support. Excess amounts collected will facilitate an increase in the number of beneficiaries and after the examination period, add to the kitty for subsequent semesters.
Support and assistance can come in the form of financial contributions, food supplies, corporate partnerships, logistical support, and long-term partnerships.
To facilitate support, the club, through its Charter Treasurer (C.T.), Professor Winston Tumps Ireeta, shared the banking details as follows
Bank: NCBA Uganda Limited.
Account Name: Rotary Club of Makerere Passport
Uganda Shillings (UGX) Account Number: 228129200017
United States Dollar (USD) Account Number: 228129200027
SWIFT Code: CBAFUGKA
Bank Code: 36
Students were left with one final promise from the Chief Guest, “you are no longer alone. You have a partner in the Rotary Club of Makerere Passport.”
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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