_{By Joseph Odoi}

Makerere University has promoted Prof. Peter Waiswa from the rank of Associate Professor to Full Professor of Health Policy, Planning and Management at the School of Public Health, following the decision of the Appointments Board at its 811^th meeting held on 10^th July 2026.

The promotion recognises his outstanding contributions to the University’s core functions of teaching and learning, research and innovation, institutional development, mentorship, leadership, and service to society.

Throughout his academic career, Prof. Waiswa has distinguished himself as a leading scholar in implementation science, health systems strengthening, policy and health services research. His work has influenced practice and decision-making in Uganda, across Africa, and globally.

His research has strengthened the connection between evidence generation, policy development, and implementation of health programmes, particularly in resource-limited settings where stronger health systems are critical to improving population health outcomes.

Reflecting on the promotion, Prof. Peter Waiswa described the recognition as a collective achievement, acknowledging the contribution of his students, colleagues, partners, and communities that have supported his journey.

“I am deeply grateful to Makerere University for this promotion. This is not a personal achievement, but a recognition of the collective work of my students, colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve.  

We must build systems, mentor the next generation, and work with government to deliver evidence-based results so that no one is left behind. The journey continues’ ’he emphasized of the task ahead

A Public Health Scholar with Continental and Global Influence

Prof. Waiswa is recognised as one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading public health researchers, with a research portfolio that has shaped health systems thinking and practice.

According to Google Scholar data, Prof. Waiswa has accumulated 17,701 citations, with an H-index of 57 and an i10-index of 209. Since 2021, his work has received 10,649 citations, including more than 2,400 citations in 2025, reflecting the growing global relevance of his scholarly work.

In 2020, Expertscape ranked Prof. Waiswa among the top 0.22 percent of global authors on infant mortality, recognising his contribution to advancing knowledge in child health and survival.

Leading Research, Innovation and Health Systems Transformation

Prof. Waiswa has led major multi-sectoral research and implementation science initiatives that have contributed to strengthening health systems in Uganda, Africa, and globally.

Between 2021 and 2024, he led a multi-sectoral team across 28 Anglophone and Francophone African countries through the Digital Health Payment Initiative and Research (DHPI-R) for campaign health workers. The research is strengthening accountability in health campaigns, informing policy discussions with global partners including WHO, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation, and contributed to the establishment of Digital Health Payment Initiative Centres at Makerere University, Uganda, and the University of Dakar, Senegal.

In 2025, Prof. Waiswa led a team in implementing the Uganda Newborn Programme, one of the country’s major health systems strengthening initiatives, supporting more than 120,000 newborns and sick newborns through a regional and life-course approach.

Prof. Peter Waiswa grew up in Naigobya Village, Luuka District, Uganda where early experiences shaped his lifelong dedication to improving health. Witnessing newborn and community health challenges inspired his commitment to building resilient, equitable health systems.

Building the Next Generation of Researchers

Beyond his research contributions, Prof. Waiswa has played a significant role in mentorship and capacity building. He has mentored numerous PhD graduates and emerging researchers who are now contributing to health programmes, academia, and policy across Africa and the globe.

In 2025, he was elected a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences in recognition of his transformative contributions to research and innovation in women’s health, maternal, newborn and child health, and health policy.

Driving Future Health Innovations

As of 2026, Prof. Waiswa, in collaboration with researchers from Johns Hopkins University, Makerere University, and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), is leading the Ekyaalo Diagnostics project — a low-cost, AI-powered innovation designed to reduce delays in breast cancer diagnosis and improve access to timely care, especially for women in hard-to-reach communities.

Global Leadership and Institutional Contributions

Prof. Waiswa serves in several global and national advisory roles, contributing to health policy, implementation, and systems strengthening. His roles include membership on WHO Guideline Development Groups, the WHO–UNICEF Informal Technical Advisory Group on norms for small and/or sick newborn care, the Lancet Commission on Evidence-Based Implementation in Global Health, and other global health platforms.

He also leads Makerere University’s Centre of Excellence for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and heads the INDEPTH Network Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Working Group.

To engage with Prof. Peter Waiswa visit: https://peterwaiswa.com/

The Makerere University School of Public Health 2025 Annual Report documents a defining year in the School’s institutional journey. Effective January 2025, MakSPH attained stand-alone status within Makerere University, recognising seven decades of growth in public health training, research, policy engagement and community service. The transition gives the School greater focus and institutional agility to respond to Uganda’s and Africa’s evolving health priorities.

During the 2024/2025 academic year, MakSPH had more than 1,000 students across 12 degree programmes and different years of study. It presented 269 graduands at Makerere University’s 75th Graduation Ceremony, more than 80 per cent at graduate level, while 12 doctoral candidates successfully defended their studies. Training remained closely connected to practice through eight district field-training sites and student participation in outbreak response, disease surveillance and community-based public health action.

The School produced more than 350 peer-reviewed publications. Its evidence informed national and global action across HIV, tuberculosis, maternal and newborn health, antimicrobial resistance, health systems, climate change, urban health, injuries and noncommunicable diseases. MakSPH’s contribution to the PURPOSE 1 trial supported evidence showing more than 99 per cent protection from twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir, while locally led programmes expanded HIV screening, prevention and referral services for underserved populations.

This work was sustained through partnerships with government, communities, funders, universities and implementation agencies. MakSPH’s research and training network extended across more than 35 African countries, while longstanding collaborations were renewed and new institutional relationships established. Strong research governance, unqualified audits and positive due-diligence assessments continued to reinforce partner confidence in the School’s ability to manage complex national and multi-country programmes with accountability.

Construction of the new MakSPH building on Makerere University Main Campus advanced during 2025, with completion targeted for 2026. Designed as a modern public health hub, the facility will expand teaching and specialised laboratory space, strengthen digital learning and research, and provide improved environments for students, faculty, innovation and collaboration.

These achievements reflect the shared contribution of faculty, staff, students and partners. Guided by its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, MakSPH remains committed to training public health leaders, generating evidence that informs policy and practice, strengthening health systems and improving health in Uganda, across Africa and beyond.

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General Summary

The post holder will be required to provide nursing care to patients attending IDC, provide health education and advise to patients and their family members, provide translation whenever necessary, guide in clinical practice and duties of other nurses. Participate in clinical research studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides nursing care to patients attending the IDC
• To provide clinical care including triaging, clinical assessment of patients of patient’s problems, investigations to HIV/AIDS patients attending IDI-supported health facilities in line with standard treatment guidelines.
• Assist in management of very sick patients brought in Urgent care with knowledge, skills and Support appropriate referral of complex patients’ through liaison with immediate team members, senior clinicians and other specialized facilities.
• Lead education and facility sensitization efforts to continuously build knowledge among clients and the attendants at Urgent care and the general clinic.
• Participate in identification, implementation and documentation of continuous quality improvement activities along client care and treatment.
• Assists medical doctors in carrying out clinical procedures.
• Provides translation services to visiting medical doctors as required
• Ensures patient flow in the clinic ( IDC)
• Performs quality assurance and quality control (QA/AC) to ensure completeness of source documents.
• Participates in giving Medicines when required.
• Checks medical supply stock and ensures procedure charts are fully equipped
• Guides the clinical practice and duties of other nursing staff
• Participates as a full member of the IDC health care team
•  Attends clinic staff meetings on a daily basis as available
• Participate whenever requested to do so in clinic research studies.
• Participate in compilation and submission of accurate activity reports according to the set guidelines.
• This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder will need to be flexible and to undertake such other duties as may become necessary with the development of the Infectious Diseases Institute.

Academic Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelors Degree in Nursing
• Full and active registration with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives council (Valid general practice license).

Person Specification

• Completion of Nurses Training in a recognized educational institution with Diploma/ Bachelors
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in a clinical setting 
• Full and active registration with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives council (Valid general practice license).
• Self- motivated and capable of meeting deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and able to interact productively with other team members.

More details

Job Code: NPCT001
No of Positions: 1
Station: IDI-Mulago
Classification: Full-time
Duration: 1 Months
Reports to: NURSE TEAM LEAD
Posted Date: 2026-07-06 09:06:27.000
Closing Date: 2026-07-19 17:00:00.000

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