Computing & IS
72nd Graduation: Doctoral Citations – CoCIS
ANGOLE Okelo Richard
Ontology-Based Model for Integrating Knowledge of Modern and Traditional Medicine
Mr. ANGOLE Okelo Richard developed ontology model for integrating complex knowledge of African traditional medicine and modern medicine. complex African Society; African Traditional Medicine (ATM) is used in parallel to Modern medicine (MM). Various attempts have been made to bridge the gap between ATM and MM in order to harmonize treatment and to create an equal form of therapeutic cooperation but in vein due to lack of formal structure and complexity of the knowledge. each practitioner has their own terminologies and ways of providing healing services unlike Knowledge generated from Modern medicine which is structured. Therefore, ATM knowledge is isolated and mistrusted yet a lot of knowledge is generated in the practices which could be used across the whole health sector. In addition, modern medicine alone does not provide whole health needs of patients and the drugs are characterized by having undesired side effects, ATM provides holistic health intervention. ATM treats the body, the mind and the spirit. There is need to come up with a better technology to handle this complex structure of medical knowledge which the current artificial Intelligent (AI) systems used in e-health cannot manage. The model developed bush the backend of AI to handle complexity in medical knowledge. The work was supervised by Assoc Prof. Gilbert Maiga and Dr George Wiiliam Okori.
ATUHURIIRE Marriette Katarahweire
Form-based Data Security in Mobile Health Data Collection Systems in Low-Resource Settings
Ms. ATUHURIIRE Marriette Katarahweire investigated security challenges in mobile health data collection systems deployed in low-resource settings. It was found out that data in MHDCS are diverse and have varying security requirements depending on their sensitivity levels. Particular emphasis was on incorporating security controls early in the development process through electronic forms to be used for data collection, and according to sensitivity levels of the data. A data sensitivity model was developed that takes into consideration both static and dynamic parameters for data sensitivity and categorizes data into different sensitivity levels using parameters defined by the stakeholders. Use of the model enables developers to design and build mobile health data collection systems that adhere to the security goals of confidentiality, integrity and availability. This is expected to reduce the potential threats and increase the confidence and adoption of eHealth services. The study was funded by NORAD and was supervised by Assoc Prof Engineer Bainomugisha and Assoc Prof Khalid Azim Mughal.
KAMUKAMA Ismail
A model for spatial variability of typhoid disease incidences in Uganda
Mr. KAMUKAMA Ismail integrated clinical, environmental and demographic data to explore spatial variability of typhoid disease incidences in Uganda for the period 2012 to 2017 using data science method. The study first explored spatial-temporal trends and distribution patterns of typhoid disease incidences at both regional and national levels in order to gain initial disease burden insights in the population. The study then revealed highest incidences and clustering of the disease in the central region, followed by Western, Eastern and Northern regions throughout the study period. Geographically Weighted Regression model revealed that poor handwashing practice was mainly influencing disease occurrences in Northwestern, Northern and Northeastern parts of the country. Excessive rainfall was most responsible for disease occurrences in the Eastern, Central and Southern parts of the country. Poor drainage was mainly influencing disease occurrences in the Western, Central and Southern parts of the country. This knowledge is essential for planners and decision-makers to: efficiently plan, enforce preventive measures and make targeted interventions, which eventually reduce disease surveillance costs. The study was funded by SIDA and supervised by Assoc Prof. Gilbert Maiga, Dr. Denis Ssebuggwawo and Dr. Peter Nabende.
KAMULEGEYA Grace Bugembe
Characterization of Practices and Measurements in Software Start-ups in an Emerging Ecosystem
Mr. KAMULEGEYA Grace Bugembe, through case studies investigated and characterized software hub operations and software start-up practices, and growth-tracking metrics in the emerging East Africa start-up ecosystem. His study characterized the operations of hubs in East Africa as not much had been established about how hubs nurture software start-ups. He also established that software start-ups indeed measured but adopted and adapted some practices and metrics used in start-ups in developed ecosystems. He designed and developed a progress measurement dashboard that start-ups can use to monitor their key growth metrics. He also iteratively derived 10 dimensions that can be used to influence and distinguish metrics used in software start-ups and mature software companies. The compiled hub practices can be used by existing and new hubs to benchmark their operations against the successful hubs in the East African region. The growth metrics will enable software start-ups to track the important aspects of their businesses in the different stages as they grow. This study was funded by SIDA and Supervised by Prof Regina Hebig and Dr. Raymond Mugwanya.
MBABAZI Ruth Mutebi
Designing Persuasive Technologies For Societal Benefit: A Persuasive Technology For Fighting Electricity Theft In Kampala, Uganda
Ms. MBABAZI Ruth Mutebi studied persuasive technology design frameworks, with the aim of developing a technology that could aid in reducing electricity theft in Kampala Uganda. After conducting a survey, Ruth found that electricity consumers are not willing to fight electricity theft, despite its’ negative impact on them. She was modified Fogg’s Eight Step Process using design theory resulting into the Design Theory-Fogg’s Eight Step Process (DT-FESP). This was used to develop a persuasive mobile application to increase willingness to participate in fighting electricity theft called, “Faayo” Evaluation of “Faayo” showed that it had potential to persuade electricity consumers. The research demonstrated the feasibility of persuasive technologies and recommended that Umeme includes them in their electricity theft mitigation strategies. The study was funded by SIDA and was supervised by Dr Julianne Sansa-Otim and Prof. Sebitosi Ben.
NAKASI Rose
Automated Diagnosis of Malaria in Thick Blood Smear Films: Deep Neural Network Approach
Ms. NAKASI Rose investigated how deep learning algorithms can be used for the automated detection of malaria and its parasitemia determination in microscopic thick blood smear images. Using an experimental design, the study revealed that by exploiting recent technological advances in 3D printing and deep learning to produce effective hardware and software respectively, a functioning point-of-care diagnosis system for malaria on this principle, capable of running on multiple microscopes and phone combinations can be produced. A malaria parasite detection accuracy of over 98% as compared to conventional machine learning methods was achieved. This study contributes to the practical improved malaria diagnosis especially in highly endemic, but low-resource settings in the Sub-Saharan Africa, where there are few trained lab experts. Further, the diagnostic solutions developed in this study could be adapted for the general microscopy disease diagnosis. The study was funded by SIDA, and was supervised by Dr. Ernest Mwebaze and Dr. Aminah Zawedde.
NAMUJUZI Sylvia
Management of Agriculture Archives in National Agricultural Research Institutes in Uganda
Ms. NAMUJUZI Sylvia investigated gaps in the management of agriculture archives in National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) particularly, documentation, maintenance and access. Using case study and descriptive designs, the study established that various agriculture archives existed in NARIs according to their specialties, but were largely in paper format including: Maps, Datasets, Institutional correspondences, Photographs and Government Acts and legislations, among others. However, most of these archival materials were not processed, classified, accessioned and catalogued leading to poor documentation, maintenance and access. Two major outputs of this study were: an evaluated Agriculture Archives Management Framework for closing the gaps and an Agriculture Archives Monitoring and Evaluation Tool for continuous process improvements in agriculture archives management. Further, the framework and the evaluation tool could be adopted by other Agricultural Institutions for the general management of agriculture archives in their possession. The study was funded by Carnegie and was supervised by Prof. Robert Ikoja-Odongo and Dr. Mary Basaasa Muhenda.
SANYA Rahman
Predicting Infectious Disease Density in Urban Settings using Convolutional Neural Networks
Mr. SANYA Rahman’s thesis explored applications of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for modeling and analyzing spatial dynamics of human infectious diseases in low-income urban settings. This work integrates multiple and diverse data sources including housing density signals (used as proxy for indoor overcrowding) extracted from remote sensing satellite imagery, and socio-economic well-being, as predictors for disease density. Using Tuberculosis (TB) disease data from Uganda, the study found that CNN were promising for detecting and quantifying patterns in infectious disease density. This work is the first of its kind in exploring possibilities afforded by advances in deep learning algorithms and remote sensing data to enhance understanding of infectious disease processes. By doing so, it has expanded the frontiers of methods available for digital epidemiology. The study was funded by the African Development Bank and supervised by Dr. Ernest Mwebaze and Assoc Prof Gilbert Maiga.
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Computing & IS
VC Nawangwe Launches CoCIS Endowment Fund to Support Excellence in Education, Research and Innovation
The College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) on Friday 15th August, 2025 launched a permanent endowment fund to provide sustainable, long-term support across three critical pillars: enhancing student opportunities through scholarships and bursaries, accelerating groundbreaking research endeavors, and catalyzing innovation within the college.
The goal is to ensure a continuous stream of resources, enabling the college to attract top talent, invest in cutting-edge facilities, and remain at the forefront of technological advancement and academic leadership for generations to come.
The CoCIS Endowment Fund was officially launched by Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University on day two of the staff retreat (14th -16th , August 2025) held at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja City.
Three Top Most Contributing Researchers to the Fund Honored
The Principal and his Deputy presented the CoCIS Research Excellence Awards to Dr. Rose Nakasi, Dr. Joyce Nakatumba Nabende and Prof. Engineer Bainomugisha as the most outstanding researchers who have contributed to the College Endowment Fund. The trio have successfully written research winning proposals and attracted a number of grants boosting the college resource envelop from which the endowment fund is drawn.
18 students to benefit annually
This endowment fund will ensure that resources are strategically allocated to maximize impact on the colleges’ educational and research objectives.
This planned college endowment fund is motivated by the need to promote early- career faculty research and support high-potential students. Over time, the college leadership has observed that a significant and increasing number of CoCIS students struggle to pay tuition fees. Investing in these talented individuals will yield substantial returns for both the students and the institution.
The college endowment initiative will support 18 students annually through four scholarship tiers;- 1 student ($2000 full scholarship); 2 students( $1,500 each substantial support); 5 students( $1,000 moderate support); and 10 students($ 500 each foundational support).
The Annual investment ($15,000 total ) will provide transformative opportunities for students from low socio-economic backgrounds to secure their academic future and career success.
Students on standard programs mainly second year or third year students from the college undergraduate programmes; software engineering –third year or fourth year students will be eligible. All beneficiaries must maintain good academic standing with a minimum of a CGPA of 3.6 throughout their sponsorship period.
Research and Innovation
In terms of research and innovation, the college is the region’s premier computer, library and information science hub for ICT innovation and research. Faculty conducts research in Artificial intelligence and data science, software systems, networked systems and their security, the impact of digital technology on records management in libraries, museums, archives and learning. Others are in policy and information seeking behavior in health, agriculture, ICT, land, law and finance among others.
VC Unveils the vision for the University Financial independence
While officially launched the Fund, Prof. Nawangwe unveiled the strategic vision for the university’s financial independence and future innovation. He conveyed the significance of endowment funds, observing that institutions like Harvard possess an endowment bigger than Uganda’s GDP, granting them the capacity to act freely. He presented this model as ‘the way to go even for us’, confirming that the university council approved colleges establishing their own endowments, to be managed alongside the main university fund.
The Vice Chancellor expressed considerable encouragement for CoCIS, particularly learning that it is funding the endowment from the proceeds of the research funding that they receive, and commending its initiative in already touching students by giving out funds.
He then turned to the imperative of Artificial Intelligence, a field he believes is where now the world is going forever. Recalling a UNESCO conference, he shared a touching question posed to African leaders: As far as AI is concerned, will Africa be left behind again? This query he said deeply impacted him, driving the university’s commitment to promote digitalization, promote anybody, any attempt to enhance our capacity in digitalization, computing, in artificial intelligence.
For Africa to develop, Nawangwe argued, the focus should not be on competing globally but on using AI to solve own problems and move people out of poverty. He lauded CoCIS for its amazing work, especially in leveraging AI for health solutions, and for its potential to foster millionaires among its students.
The Vice Chancellor also conveyed the university’s commitment to research and innovation as essential for national stability and poverty alleviation. He cautioned that failure to create jobs through innovation could lead to very unstable countries in Africa, with multitudes of children in the streets.
He projected the university’s dedication to a new Science and Technology Center and noted that the forthcoming Science and Graduate Training building will dedicate its entire ground floor to innovation, even suggesting repurposing lecture rooms as innovation is much more important.
He argued CoCIS’ leadership to do more with that background, knowing that ‘we must do it to save our country, to save our continent.’
In his address, Prof. Tony Oyana, Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences, (CoCIS) discussed the establishment of an endowment fund to support students, research, and innovation. The fund is designed to provide opportunities for students to excel and bridge the gap left by limited government funding.
Professor Oyana shared his personal journey, showcasing the role of scholarships and foundation endowments in his education. He inked the importance of investing in students, citing their potential to excel with support. According to him, students, especially those who are talented but lack resources, can make significant progress with even a small amount of support.
The endowment fund will align with the university’s mission and strategic objectives, focusing on education, research, and innovation. He noted that research-led initiatives can make the college stand out in the world and attract people seeking expertise.
The college has invested in treasury bonds and is exploring other investment opportunities, such as Unitrust. Professor Oyana encouraged colleagues to invest their monthly money in bonds and trust, citing the benefits of diversifying investments.
He acknowledged the challenges the college faces in relying solely on government funding, which can be unpredictable and subject to change. The endowment fund will provide a stable source of funding, enabling the college to pursue its goals and make a meaningful impact.
He expressed gratitude to Eako for sponsoring the meeting and Google for investing in the college’s state-of-the-art laboratory.
On his part, Mr. Emmanuel Kitamirike, the Makerere University Endowment Fund Administrator revealed that the Fund has a rich history dating back to the 1930s when teachers and church leaders donated money, which was invested in the UK for 70 years before being formalized in 2014.
“The fund has grown from Shs8.6 billion to Shs14 billion, with a target of reaching Shs20 billion by the end of the financial year. This is attributed the growth to strategic investments in treasury bonds and Unit trusts, which have yielded returns supporting university activities. We’ve reinvested 65 million in Treasury bonds and reinvested 138 million in Unit trusts of the money that we earned,” he said.
The university has secured funding from the United Arab Emirates, $100,000, to establish the Endowment Fund for the Advancement of Women Education, which will support female students pursuing postgraduate STEM disciplines. Kitamirike noted that “if you have $1 million and you have 15% return on investment, you have some almost 500 million that you can put up every year for scholarship support.”
The fund’s administrators have implemented the Mak Advance System, an alumni management software that enables donations with as little as Shs1,000. Mr. Kitamirike reported that donations have been coming in, and has received 40 million in the last two years through that system.
The fund’s growth is expected to enhance student life experiences and encourage alumni to give back to the institution.
The university’s endowment fund model is inspired by institutions like Harvard, which has a massive endowment fund where by its Alumni definitely sometimes even give an estate, hey have their money.
The College has been actively promoting research and innovation through its RISE Program, which focuses on research, innovations, services, and engagement. Dr. John Ngubiri reported that the program has disbursed approximately 540 million in grants, with 90% going to staff and 10% to students. The funding distribution is skewed in favor of the School of Computing and Informatics Technology (SCIT), with few grants received from EASLIS
The most popular research areas include intelligent systems, particularly AI, health and nutrition, smart teaching, and small businesses. Dr. Ngubiri noted they’ve had very many applications from the area of AI, indicating a growing interest in the field. The program has yielded impressive outcomes, including research projects expanding into bigger grants, startups emerging from student projects, and students receiving awards.
Some notable examples of staff who have implemented projects include Dr. Rehema Baguma, Dr. Odongo Steven, and Dr. Hasifah Namatovu, who were able to expand their research into bigger grants. Startups like YoWaste and MobiFuel have also emerged from student projects, demonstrating the potential for innovation and entrepreneurship. YoWaste alone has reportedly generated a turnover of around 600 million.
Despite the progress, Dr. Ngubiri noted some challenges, including limited funding, plagiarism, gradualism, and the finalist student problem. He noted, the volume of funding is always a challenge, and that they have to live within it. To address these challenges, He suggested adopting a thematic approach to grants, formalizing startups, and exploring equity options to provide a sustainable source of funding.
The college could get shares in startups and use the returns to fund other projects. Dr. Ngubiri also emphasized the importance of looking ahead and planning for the future, saying “if when someone is writing a seed, he looks ahead on where this seed can be put to germinate so that people don’t get stuck along the way.”
While discussing the research agenda for the School of Computing and Informatics Technology, the Dean Dr. Joseph Kibombo Balikuddembe stressed that the research should be internationally recognized and address real-world societal and business challenges. “Our research is internationally recognized and addresses real-world society and business challenges,” he said, citing an example of engineers being able to tell the air quality of different cities.
Dr. Balikuddembe emphasised the importance of being centers of knowledge, innovation, leadership, and development, and positioning the school to lead the digital transformation and contribute to the global innovation ecosystem.
He also expressed the need for specific strategic objectives, including advancing cutting-edge research in AI, data science, and related fields, promoting interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and strengthening graduate research capacity and supervision. “We cannot do that without having specific strategic objectives that can get us there,” he said, outlining objectives such as enhancing international partnerships and visibility, and translating research into innovation, policy, and practical solutions.
Dr. Balikuddembe expressed concerns about protecting intellectual property, citing instances of students and researchers failing to protect their innovations before presenting them publicly. “Before you know it, someone may have picked the idea and moved on,” he warned.
The school is focusing on various areas, including AI, data science, cyber security, and emerging technologies like block chain applications and augmented reality. “Mentorship programs, capacity building initiatives, and partnerships with industry and international universities to drive research and innovation are crucial,” he noted.
The East African School of Library and Information Sciences (EASLIS) has developed a research agenda for the next five years, focusing on five thematic areas. According to Dr. Sarah Kaddu, Dean of EASLIS, the research agenda is rooted in five principles, including being relevant, impactful, interdisciplinary, inclusive, and sustainable. The thematic areas include information governance and digital transformation, indigenous knowledge and culture informatics, wellness and health informatics, digital literacy and education, and transparency, accountability, and legal records.
Dr. Kaddu pointed out the importance of collaboration and partnerships in achieving the research agenda’s goals. “We need to partner with others who are well-facilitated, well-endowed, and have the skills,” she said. The school is also prioritizing mentorship, with a focus on guiding both staff and students in research and academic maturity. She noted that mentorship has come out even in the previous presentation. “We really need to be mentored so that we are in harmony with one another.”
The research agenda is aligned with the university’s strategic plan and aims to address national and continental development priorities. Dr. Kaddu stressed the importance of addressing burning social, economic, and technological needs in Uganda and East Africa. The school is also committed to producing research that is transformative in social and economic imaginations of the country and Africa.
The key highlights of the research agenda include thematic areas such as information governance and digital transformation, indigenous knowledge and culture informatics, wellness and health informatics, digital literacy and education, and transparency, accountability, and legal records.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences, Dr. Peter Nabende, expressed gratitude over the presentation on the CoCIS Endowment Fund, recognizing its significance in advancing College’s progress.
He encouraged colleagues to explore high-risk investments in their field and appreciated the emphasis on research areas. Dr. Nabende also acknowledged the college’s achievements, expressing pride in the team’s work.
Nabende called upon colleagues to write presentations and share knowledge citing the importance of interdisciplinary research.
“We have the capability to learn from each other and move forward,” he stated.
The Deputy Principal called upon the college alumni, staff and well wishers to contribution to the CoCIS Endowment Fund that will be pivotal in providing sustainable support to students, research, and innovation initiatives.
‘We urge you to consider contributing to the endowment fund and becoming part of this noble endeavor. Every contribution, big or small, counts, and we look forward to your support.’ Nabende appealed.
Beyond the Launch to Fun Activities
Staff were treated to a cocktail and barbecue dinner as well as fun activities including surfing River Nile. Besides formal work tasks, retreats offer significant benefits like fostering stronger team cohesion through informal interactions, boosting employee morale and reducing stress through a change of scenery, and enhancing communication and collaboration skills in a relaxed setting.
These retreats also provide opportunities for leadership development, allowing employees to step outside their typical roles and showcase new skills. Furthermore, retreats can reinforce institutional culture, values, and mission in a memorable and impactful way, leading to increased employee engagement and a stronger sense of belonging.
Kampala, Uganda — Christine Kikome, a finalist in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program at Makerere University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), has emerged as the Best Pitch Winner at the prestigious Africa Innovation Fellowship (AIF) bootcamp in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kikome walked away with a prize of R10,000 (South African Rands) for her pioneering project FloralIntel – a digital health and education platform that uses artificial intelligence to identify medicinal plants and preserve indigenous knowledge.
The AIF, organized by South Africa-based WomHub in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering, brings together top women entrepreneurs from across Africa to showcase their innovative ventures. Kikome was selected for her outstanding pitch and impactful innovation.
The Selection Criteria
Kikome first learned about the Africa Innovation Fellowship through Mr. Marvin Galiwango, her lecturer, who encouraged her to apply following a research project in her second-year Machine Learning course. The project had developed into a functional prototype that used AI to identify medicinal plants.
With an already working Minimum Viable Product, Kikome applied and successfully navigated a rigorous selection process, including interviews that ran from August to December last year. She was chosen among the top 25 women-led startups on the continent.
The eight-month fellowship began virtually in January, following onboarding in December. Participants attended monthly sessions, with the program culminating in a physical bootcamp in Johannesburg from July 19. During the bootcamp, entrepreneurs received training in business leadership, personal branding, and pitching. Kikome impressed investors and judges on the final day, winning the Best Pitch Award and the accompanying R10,000 prize.
What Kikome Did to Emerge Winner
Kikome’s winning venture, FloralIntel, began as a course project during her undergraduate studies. Along with fellow Computer Science students Geofrey Okumu and Emmanuel Wagisha, and Gerald Obote, a final-year Biotechnologist from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS). The group developed a web-based application that integrates computer vision and machine learning to identify and classify traditional medicinal plants. The platform also connects users with certified herbalists, while preserving indigenous knowledge in digital format.
The innovation addresses the gap between traditional herbal medicine and modern healthcare, enabling accessibility and education for users interested in herbal treatment.
What’s Next for FloralIntel?
With a working prototype in place, Kikome’s next step is to scale FloralIntel into a mobile application and expand its reach across the continent. She plans to apply for more fellowships and seek further grants, including support from the Makerere University Innovation Hub.
“I want FloralIntel to educate the younger generation on herbal knowledge something that can save time, money, and lives,” she explained.
Unique Advantages of FloralIntel
FloralIntel stands out for its multifaceted approach to bridging traditional knowledge and modern technology. One of its most impactful features is the digitization of indigenous knowledge, creating a centralized digital database that preserves and documents traditional herbal practices—knowledge that has long been passed down orally and risks being lost. The platform also enables users to identify medicinal plants through a photo-based recognition system, which instantly provides details such as the botanical name, therapeutic uses, and instructions for application.
To ensure safety and credibility, Kikome envisions collaborating with institutions like the National Drug Authority (NDA) and Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to onboard verified herbalists who can offer both products and consultations through the platform.
Additionally, FloralIntel serves as a learning tool, offering educational content on herbal medicine, disease management, and daily updates on emerging health trends empowering users with accessible, trusted, and practical health knowledge.
Funding and Appreciation: What the Award Means to Kikome
All travel and accommodation costs for the South Africa bootcamp were fully covered by WomHub, with Kikome only covering her visa expenses. She credits her success to the foundational support provided by the CoCIS RISE Fund, which helped transition FloralIntel from a research concept into a viable prototype.
“This milestone would not have been possible without the foundational support of the COCIS RISE Fund, your mentorship, and Makerere University’s belief in student-led innovation,” Kikome wrote in a thank-you note. This recognition is not just mine, it is a win for the College and a testament to what is possible when academia, research, and innovation are aligned.”
To Makerere University, she expressed deep gratitude for the continuous support from lecturers and administrators. She appreciated Mr. Marvin Ggaliwango and other lecturers who mentored her throughout her academic journey as well as Dr. John Ngubiri the College Coordinator for RISE Funds.
“This award showcases Makerere’s commitment to homegrown innovations that address African challenges,” she added.
Kikome describes the win as a “powerful affirmation” of her passion for building tech-driven solutions that merge traditional knowledge with modern innovations. She also sees it as a demonstration of leadership potential.
“I’ve always wanted to be a leader from class representative to Guild Tribunal member. Founding FloralIntel and leading it to this achievement reaffirms that drive,” she noted.
To fellow students, especially young women, Kikome offers a message of empowerment: “Don’t hide your potential. You’re too visible to be broke.” She urged students to step out of their comfort zones and face challenges head-on.
To student leaders, she emphasized the need for collaboration. “Without teamwork among leaders, it’s hard to achieve meaningful impact on those we lead,” she warned.
Fighting the Odds – Surviving Three Brain Surgeries
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Musooka Drake in Kawanda, Wakiso District, Christine Kikome’s journey has been marked by resilience.
Kikome extended heartfelt thanks to her father, whom she described as her “core supporter.” Despite coming from a humble background, her father never discouraged her ambitions and, even supported her in identifying herbal plants from his knowledge and experience
Diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of five, she underwent three surgeries – two at Mulago Hospital and one at Mengo Hospital. During her recovery, her grandmother encouraged her to use herbal remedies – an experience that later inspired FloralIntel.
Educated primarily on scholarships, Kikome attended Life Day and Boarding Primary School in Seeta-Bajjo, and Code High School for secondary education, majoring in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) at A-level.
She initially joined Makerere on private sponsorship for a BSc in Software Engineering, but later secured a government scholarship post-COVID for a BSc in Computer Science.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Kikome candidly shared her experiences growing up overcoming low self-esteem, and battling stereotypes that discouraged educating girls.
“I was often told I wasn’t beautiful, that I would disappoint my father if he invested in me because many girls drop off with pregnancies,” she recalls. “But I pushed through, got first grade in Senior Four, and proved my worth.”
She describes herself as passionate about leadership, innovation, and community impact. Though sometimes perceived as tough, she says she is a warm, encouraging person who brings positivity to those around her.
“I’ve always wanted to be seen for my brains – not my looks. And now I know, it’s not about your size, it’s about what you bring to the table.”
Kikome’s story is one of triumph over adversity, turning childhood medical challenges, stereotypes and socio-economic hardships into a source of inspiration and innovation.
Through FloralIntel, she aims not only to preserve Africa’s indigenous medicinal knowledge but also to prove that with resilience, mentorship and a supportive academic ecosystem, young innovators especially women, can change the future of health and technology in Africa.
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