The PI-Prof. William Bazeyo (Centre Brown Tie) and Prof. David Serwadda (Centre Gold Tie) with the MakSPH-METS Program Team in 2019. Photo credit: MakSPH-METS
The Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program is a five-year (2020-2025) CDC-funded Cooperative Agreement. The MaKSPH-METS program emerged out of the growing recognition of the importance of evidence-based decision making for an AIDS Free Generation in Uganda. The overall purpose of the Program is to establish coordinated and effective national and district systems for the management of strategic information for a robust HIV response.
RECRUITMENT BY THE MAKSPH-METS PROGRAM: POSITION SUMMARIES
1. JOB TITLE: SURVEILLANCE SPECIALIST
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:
The incumbent will serve as the surveillance systems specialist and coordinator seconded to the CDC Uganda COVID-19 project team. The position is responsible for assisting the CDC Uganda and partners in the successful implementation of several routine surveillance, sentinel surveillance, and epidemiologic data projects. The incumbent serves as the primary liaison between the CDC Uganda team and the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC), other Government of Uganda (GOU) entities, and other governmental and non-governmental partners as stakeholders in these projects. The incumbent focuses on communication, project management and project oversight to ensure active collaboration between stakeholders across multiple surveillance projects based on an overarching integrated surveillance strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Education: Masters (MPH, MSHP) degree or host country equivalent in Medicine, Public Health, Data Sciences, Nursing, Laboratory Sciences, Health Sciences or Epidemiology is required.
Prior Work Experience: The candidate should have at least 1 year of mid to senior level public health experience in a field directly related to public health surveillance, outbreak response, and/or field epidemiology is required.
Language Proficiency: (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by level and specialization) Level IV (fluent) English ability is required.
2. JOB TITLE: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE (EMR) SPECIALIST AND OUTBREAK COORDINATOR
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:
The incumbent will serve as the Global Health Security (GHS) Emergency Management and Response (EMR) Specialist and Outbreak Coordinator seconded to the CDC Uganda Global Health Security Team. The position is responsible for public health EMR activities, primarily infectious disease outbreaks, but also including natural, accidental and intentional disasters with public health implications. The incumbent serves as a key advisor to the CDC Division of Global Health Protection (DGHP) Program Director on public health EMR activities in Uganda and in support of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). The incumbent serves as the primary liaison between CDC Uganda and the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC), other Government of Uganda (GOU) entities, collaborating USG agencies (USAID, DOD, State Department), non-governmental organizations, and CDC headquarters. The incumbent participates in identifying and prioritizing EMR activities in order to strengthen national, regional and district level public health response capacity and maintain a highly functional PHEOC and incident command system in Uganda.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Education: Masters (MPH, MSHP) degree or host country equivalent in Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Laboratory Sciences or Epidemiology is required.
Prior Work Experience: The candidate should have at least 1 year of mid to senior level public health experience in a field directly related to emergency management, outbreak response, and/or field epidemiology is required. Completion of a field epidemiology training program is strongly preferred.
Language Proficiency: (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by level and specialization) Level IV (fluent) English ability is required.
APPLICATION PROCESS
i) Qualified and interested candidates are invited to submit the following application documents and a motivation letter clearly highlighting the position being applied for and address this to;
a) Motivational Letter
b) Resume with contacts of 3 professional referees
c) Copies of all relevant academic documents
iii) Soft copies of the applications should be submitted as one PDF file to the following email address mets[at]musph.ac.ug by 5:00pm on January 4, 2021.
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.