The Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) on July 10, 2026, welcomed senior six science students from Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School to an inspiring Career Fair aimed at guiding them on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College.

The event brought together students pursuing Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) and Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics (BCM), providing them with a unique opportunity to interact with the College leadership, tour laboratories and teaching facilities, and learn first-hand about careers in medicine and other health science disciplines.

Welcoming the students, the College Principal, Prof. Bruce Kirenga, described the College of Health Sciences as one of Africa’s oldest and most distinguished medical schools, with a legacy spanning more than a century.

“We started in 1924, making us one of the oldest medical schools on the continent. You have made the right decision to visit Makerere, and we are delighted to welcome you,” he said.

Prof. Kirenga commended the school administrators and teachers for organizing the visit, noting that exposing learners to university environments early helps them make informed career choices. He explained that the College introduced the Open Day concept after receiving numerous requests from schools seeking career guidance visits.

He congratulated the students for choosing science subjects, describing science as the foundation for solving society’s most pressing challenges.

“You have already made one of the most important decisions by choosing to become scientists. Even more importantly, you have chosen life sciences—a field dedicated to preserving and improving life,” he remarked.

The Principal emphasized that careers in life sciences extend far beyond medicine, encouraging students to remain open-minded as they consider their future.

“Everything that has life requires professionals to keep it healthy—from human beings and animals to crops and the environment. The opportunities are immense, including agriculture, veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, public health and many other emerging fields.”

He also advised students not to limit themselves to only one academic programme during university applications, recalling instances where highly qualified students narrowly missed admission because they selected only one course.

“Remain open to the opportunities available. Medicine is an excellent profession, but there are many other programmes that are equally rewarding and are shaping the future of healthcare and scientific innovation,” he said.

Prof. Kirenga further encouraged the students to embrace lifelong learning, reminding them that scientific knowledge remains valuable regardless of the career path they eventually pursue.

Addressing the students, the Dean of the School of Medicine, Prof. Annette Nakimuli, acknowledged the growing competition for admission into medical programmes and urged learners to work hard while keeping an open mind about the diverse opportunities available within health sciences.

She explained that admission into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme has become increasingly competitive due to the rising number of high-performing applicants.

“This year we witnessed unprecedented competition for government sponsorship, with many applicants scoring triple A at Advanced Level and outstanding grades at Ordinary Level. That tells you that you must prepare yourselves to excel academically,” she said.

Prof. Nakimuli noted that while many students aspire to become medical doctors, the health sector today offers numerous innovative programmes that are equally important.

“There are many programmes that parents, teachers and students are still not familiar with. Biomedical Engineering, for example, is one of the exciting fields driving the future of healthcare, yet many students overlook it because they focus only on medicine.”

She encouraged students to explore emerging disciplines that combine medicine, engineering, technology and research, noting that the future of healthcare increasingly depends on multidisciplinary professionals.

The Dean also introduced students to the structure of the School of Medicine, explaining that it comprises twelve academic departments and two specialised units covering a broad spectrum of clinical disciplines, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Family Medicine, Anaesthesia and Critical Care, among others.

She explained that students are trained by specialists across these disciplines to become competent general practitioners before pursuing further specialization.

Prof. Erisa Mwaka, the Chair of the Department of Human Anatomy, shared with the students about the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS). He said the school is one of the four schools that make up the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS). As the foundation of medical education, the School provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the biological and molecular sciences that underpin modern healthcare, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The School comprises several departments, including:

• Human Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Pathology
• Microbiology
• Medical Illustration

The School offers undergraduate programmes such as the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, which equips students with strong laboratory, research and analytical skills, and the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, an interdisciplinary programme that integrates engineering, medicine and technology to develop innovative healthcare solutions.

At postgraduate level, the School offers a wide range of master’s and doctoral programmes, including Human Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Bioinformatics, Immunology and Clinical Microbiology, Health Bioethics, Medical Illustration, Pathology and other biomedical specializations that prepare graduates for careers in research, academia, diagnostics, biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry. The school also offers a wide range of diploma courses.

Throughout the Career Fair, students interacted with faculty members, toured laboratories and learning facilities, and received guidance on university admission, academic programmes and career prospects within the health sciences.

The Career Fair forms part of the College’s broader outreach programme aimed at nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals by exposing learners to university life and equipping them with the information needed to make informed academic and career decisions.

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_{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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