Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in partnership with SickKids’ Centre for Global Child Health, on Tuesday 28th January 2020, held an inception meeting at Golf Course Hotel, Kampala, for a study exploring the underlying factors driving stunting and wasting in children under 5, in Uganda. The consultative workshop drew stakeholders from the ministry of health (MoH), Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and academia from Makerere University School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio–Engineering (MakSFTNB) and Kyambogo University.
Dr. Emily Keats, a Senior Researcher Associate at the Centre for Global Child Health, Toronto, said that data/research on stunting in Uganda was very limited. She added that nonetheless, those studies showed that revealed a negative association between higher wealth levels and stunting. Dr Keats further revealed other factors which contributed to stunting and wasting, including: inadequate breastfeeding, food insecurity, and higher maternal age. Additionally, she disclosed that males were more disadvantaged than their female counterparts.
Dr. Peter Waiswa, an associate professor in the Department of Health Planning and Policy Management at MakSPH, stressed warned that the current stunting rate of 28.9% (UDHS 2016) if not reduced, would reduce the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 15%. He also noted that Uganda’s biggest obstacle to improvement was at the implementation stage, and not lack of strategies. A case of “will” and not “way”.
Dr. Richard Kajura, a Research Associate at MakSPH and the project’s Principal Investigator (PI), emphasized that stunting had no global patterns, and could be found anywhere. However, he observed that “Africa has a general stunting challenge that should be addressed”.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) interacts with members of the 2nd Mak-HUC.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
All applications must be submitted electronically via the Makerere University Electronic Human Resource Management System through the above link (ehrms). Applicants will be required to provide the necessary information on the ehrms and attach the following documents:
An application letter clearly stating the job applied for and duly signed by the applicant.
An up-to-date curriculum vitae. The curriculum must also state the names and addresses of at least three referees.
Copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
A minimum of three recommendation letters duly signed by the referees.
The application should be addressed to:
The Chief Human Resource Officer Makerere University P.O. Box 7062 Kampala