The Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) has formally transitioned leadership of the Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, with Dr. David Musoke taking over from Dr. Esther Buregyeya, who served as Head of Department for more than nine years.

The handover marked both an appreciation of Dr. Buregyeya’s tenure and a renewed call for the Department to strengthen its position as a leading centre for Environmental Health, Occupational Health, Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Buregyeya, who took over the leadership of the Department in January 2017 and served until May 2026, described her tenure as a period of significant growth in teaching, research, community engagement and staff development. She emphasised that the achievements were a result of shared leadership and the collective efforts of Department members, School leadership and partners.

Among the key milestones during her tenure was the strengthening of the Department’s academic portfolio. The Department completed the review of the Bachelor of Environmental Health Science curriculum and supported the development of the Master’s programme in Environmental and Occupational Health. It also contributed to the development of the PhD by coursework and expanded online learning materials and short-course offerings, including training in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Occupational Health and Safety.

The Department also made progress in strengthening its laboratory capacity. With support from the School leadership, equipment was procured for the Environmental Health laboratory, which is currently based at Kasangati. The Department has also benefited from equipment donated through partnerships.

Another significant achievement highlighted during the handover was the development of human capacity. Several staff and research associates have pursued doctoral training, strengthening the Department’s pool of researchers and future academic leaders. Dr. Buregyeya noted that building this capacity was essential to ensuring continuity and preparing the next generation of faculty.

Dean commends leadership and mentorship

The Dean of MakSPH, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, commended Dr. Buregyeya for her leadership and credited the Department with developing a strong culture of mentorship and nurturing young professionals.

Prof. Wanyenze noted that although Disease Control is one of the School’s original departments, its membership has remained relatively young, with many emerging professionals being mentored and supported to grow within the School. She particularly applauded the Department for attracting and retaining talented Environmental Health graduates and for creating opportunities for research associates to contribute to the School’s work.

She also welcomed the establishment of the Master’s programme in Environmental Health, describing Environmental Health as an important frontier for public health. She challenged the Department to consider developing a PhD pathway in Environmental Health and to build a coordinated research agenda examining the links between the environment, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and broader health systems.

Prof. Wanyenze further called for greater investment in Occupational Health, noting the importance of workplace health, mental health, physical health and occupational safety, particularly as Uganda’s informal sector continues to grow. She also urged the Department to strengthen entomology and related research in vector-borne diseases.

A new chapter under Associate Professor David Musoke

Receiving the responsibility, Associate Professor David Musoke described his appointment as both an honour and a homecoming. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health at Makerere and later worked in the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management before returning to Disease Control, where he has spent much of his professional career.

Assoc. Prof. Musoke paid tribute to Dr. Buregyeya, whom he described as a mentor and an example of shared leadership. He noted that during her tenure, the Department had grown from having a single undergraduate programme to developing a Master’s programme, contributing to PhD training and expanding its research portfolio into new and emerging areas. He also recognised the growth of early-career researchers, many of whom have progressed through doctoral training and into academic roles.

He pledged to build on these achievements while working closely with Department members, the Dean and other School departments. He also acknowledged the confidence placed in him by colleagues during the selection process and committed to working collectively to advance the Department.

A call to define the Department’s future

While celebrating the Department’s achievements, Prof. Wanyenze challenged the new leadership to develop a clear strategic agenda that distinguishes and strengthens the Department’s areas of expertise.

Prof. Wanyenze urged the Department to take forward the urban health agenda, particularly in light of Uganda’s rapid urbanisation and the emerging challenges associated with waste management, environmental health and the delivery of preventive health services in urban settings.

She further called for deliberate investment in people, infrastructure, research and partnerships. In particular, she encouraged the Department to use the new School infrastructure to develop a laboratory and to strategically support PhD training in areas where expertise is currently limited.

“You don’t have to carry this burden alone. There are people who can support the growth of the department,” Prof. Wanyenze said in encouraging the new leadership to build on the expertise already within the Department.

The handover concluded with the formal transfer of responsibility, followed by a presentation to Dr. Buregyeya in appreciation of her service and a cake-cutting ceremony bringing together the outgoing and incoming Heads of Department and members of the Department.

The Makerere University-Behavioral and Social Science Research (Mak-BSSR) in HIV Training Program, in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), invites applications for Post-doctoral, PhD, Master’s and Fellowship-level training opportunities in Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) with a focus on HIV.

This is a five-year research training program on the HIV cascade, funded by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Research priority areas for the training opportunities are; 1) Intersectional stigma, 2) Alcohol/substance use; 3) Mental health (psychosocial health), 4) Limited social support, social isolation and loneliness and impact on HIV outcomes, and 5) Ageism and HIV.

Please see downloads for detailed information.

Apply Before: Monday, 31^st August, 2026 at 6:00PM EAT.

New students joining Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) have been urged to embrace responsibility, discipline, integrity and hard work as they embark on their journey towards becoming healthcare professionals. 

The call was made during the opening session of the college’s orientation programme that began on the 4^th August and will conclude on 7^th August 2026. During the session, College leaders including the Principal and Deans welcomed students admitted to study various programmes at MakCHS. The speakers outlined expectations for academic and professional conduct. 

The session was moderated by Professor Mark Kaddu, Deputy Dean-School of Medicine. Welcoming the freshers, he stressed the importance of hard work highlighting that ‘your academic documents will speak for you and excellence will open doors’.

The college leaders congratulated the students on securing admission to Makerere University, noting that many qualified applicants were unable to secure places. They encouraged the new entrants to make the most of the opportunity by committing themselves to excellence from the first day. The students were reminded that programmes offered by the college are rigorous full-time courses that demand commitment, discipline and consistency.

In his remarks, Professor Bruce Kirenga – Principal, MakCHS welcomed the new entrants and provided an overview of the College’s rich history, highlighting its growth and commitment to excellence in health professionals’ education. The Principal reaffirmed the college’s mission of impacting the national health agenda through transformational teaching, research and innovation for societal development. Students were encouraged to embrace the wide range of career pathways and professional opportunities available upon qualification, emphasizing that their training would equip them to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Stressing the importance of mind-set change which has also been introduced as a crosscutting course, the Principal urged the students to cultivate discipline, resilience, professionalism, and a passion for lifelong learning. “The journey you have embarked on is challenging, but it is achievable,” the Principal noted, reminding the students that many graduates before them successfully completed the programme through dedication and hard work. The address concluded with a call for the new students to remain focused, work diligently, and strive for academic excellence as they prepare to become the next generation of healthcare professionals who will transform their communities.

Professor Annettee Nakimuli, Dean – School of Medicine encouraged students to work collaboratively rather than viewing learning as a competition. She urged them to form productive study groups, support one another and take advantage of opportunities for mentorship, research and international exchange programmes available through the college. “We are here to support you throughout your journey,” she told the students, adding that strong academic performance could open doors to international exchanges, postgraduate training and research collaborations with universities around the world.

Professor Nakimuli warned students against academic dishonesty, including examination malpractice, falsification of academic records and illegal programme changes. She cautioned that such misconduct could lead to dismissal from the university, even after several years of study. Students were further advised to be vigilant against fraudsters who promise to alter admission records or transfer students into different academic programmes through unofficial channels.

In his remarks, Dr. Richard Muhindo, Dean-School of Health Sciences highlighted the importance of personal responsibility and wellbeing beyond academics. He encouraged students to manage their time wisely, avoid drug and alcohol abuse, stay away from gambling and maintain healthy lifestyles throughout their studies. Dr. Muhindo emphasized the importance of professionalism, reminding students that healthcare careers are built on compassion, teamwork and service to humanity. He encouraged students from different programmes to learn together, respect one another’s professions and build networks that will benefit them throughout their careers.

In his address to the freshers, Dr. David Nono who represented Dr. Annet Kutesa, Dean – School of Dentistry, encouraged students to embrace the opportunities before them by working hard, maintaining discipline, and striving for academic excellence. He emphasised the importance of achieving a strong academic record, noting that outstanding performance opens doors to competitive opportunities and future specialisation. The Dean also urged students to pursue postgraduate studies, reminding them that the dental profession requires highly qualified specialists. Reflecting on his own academic journey, he shared how dedication and continuous learning enabled him to study and work internationally before returning to serve the University. He concluded by encouraging students to remain focused, respect University rules, support one another, and make the most of their time at the institution as they prepare for successful professional careers.

Representing the Dean of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Professor Elisa Mwaka welcomed the freshers and congratulated them on earning admission to the College, urging them to embrace responsibility and discipline as they begin university life.  Introducing the School of Biomedical Sciences to students, he explained that it handles core foundational courses like Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Medical Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, among others that support their academic journey. Professor Mwaka reminded students that success at university depends on personal responsibility, regular class attendance, effective time management, and organised study habits, emphasizing that attendance of at least 80 percent of lectures and practical sessions is required to qualify for examinations. He also encouraged students facing academic or personal challenges to seek guidance from their lecturers early rather than waiting until examination time, and urged them to be punctual, prepare adequately for classes.

Mental health featured prominently during the orientation. Leaders acknowledged that health sciences programmes can be stressful encouraging students experiencing emotional or psychological challenges to seek support early rather than suffering in silence. They also called on students to avoid stigmatizing colleagues facing mental health difficulties.

Students were also cautioned to safeguard their personal belongings, particularly phones and laptops, as they settle into campus life. Officials warned that new students are often targeted by thieves during the first weeks of the academic year.

The opening session for the 2026 orientation concluded with a message of encouragement, with MakCHS leaders expressing confidence that the students would develop into competent, ethical and compassionate healthcare professionals capable of contributing to Uganda’s health sector and beyond.

The Orientation Programme continues until Friday, 7^th August, and all students were strongly encouraged to attend every session to give themselves the best possible start to their academic journey. Important topics to be covered include IT services, registration procedures, university policies, mental health and well-being, and awareness and prevention of sexual harassment. These sessions are designed to equip students with the knowledge and support they need to thrive both academically and personally.

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