Clad in a coral red and black with green panels sewed into the front facings doctorate gown with emblems and ivory tower icons, Dr. Nicholus Nanyeenya can’t help, but, smile broadly as he fastens the long oblong sleeves. At last, his journey has come to an end, and he now holds a PhD. The vibrant colours form an indelible embroidery, weaving together the distinctive identity and essence of Makerere University.
A medical doctor by training, he has not only achieved a milestone but has emerged as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda. He is part of the 132 PhD graduands in the week-long #Mak74thGrad, which begins on Monday, January 29, 2024.
Dr. Nanyeenya, popular in the corridors of Makerere University School of Public Health, as, ‘His Excellency,’ having served as a PhD Forum president studied; “Viral Non-Suppression, Perceptions and Effectiveness of Intensive Adherence Counselling among People Living with HIV/AIDS on Antiretroviral Therapy with Low-Level Viraemia in Uganda.”
Dr. Nicholus Nanyeenya presents during his PhD Defense on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
From MD to PhD
Dr. Nanyeenya’s passion for research began with a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) at the University of Aberdeen, UK back in 2018. Witnessing the critical role research played in health system decisions, he set his sights on a PhD at Makerere University, determined to impact HIV/AIDS policies in Uganda.
“I realized the importance of research in informing policy decisions in health systems strengthening and disease control. I noticed that at times, wrong implementation strategies were done in implementing HIV programs due to inadequate research skills, and this motivated me to start my PhD.
My goal was to generate information about HIV low-level viraemia to guide the review of the HIV guidelines in Uganda. In my PhD, I aimed to enhance my research, writing, and communication skills, to enable me to become an independent researcher and global health leader in HIV research and program implementation,” says Dr. Nanyeenya.
“By virtue of the authority entrusted in me, I confer up on you a degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Makerere University,” these were exactly the words by the Chancellor as he conferred a PhD to Dr. Nicholas Nanyeeya.
Previously in Uganda, individuals with a viral load (VL) below 1,000 copies/ml were considered to have effectively suppressed the virus, commended for antiretroviral adherence, and encouraged to continue treatment.
However, studies elsewhere identified a significant risk for those with low-level viraemia (≥50 to <1,000 copies/ml), including the potential for HIV drug resistance and transmission to partners, especially in discordant couples.
Despite an increase from 11 percent to 35 percent in Uganda between 2017 and 2020, using a 1,000 copies/ml threshold, no interventions were implemented to address this concerning trend.
It is this situation that motivated Dr. Nanyeenya to undertake a PhD research, to generate more information to address low-level viraemia in Uganda.
Dr. Nicholus Nanyeenya at a PhD Colloquium at MakSPH in 2022.
Low-Level Viraemia in HIV Patients
His study revealed a surge in individuals with low-level viraemia (LLV), posing risks of drug resistance and transmission. This alarming trend prompted a swift response, influencing the revision of Uganda’s HIV guidelines.
“From my PhD research, the number of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) with LLV in Uganda increased from 2.0% in 2016 to 8.6% in 2020. LLV was associated with being male, second line regimen and being below 18 years of age. Relative to clients with a non-detectable viral load, PLHIV with LLV had 4.1 times higher risk of developing viral non-suppression, as compared to PLHIV with a non-detectable viral load (adjusted hazard ratio was 4.1, 95% CI: 3.7 to 4.7, p < 0.001),” he notes.
According to Dr. Nanyeenya, most people living with HIV were not aware of low-level viraemia, leading to a limited understanding of its associated risks. He adds that, healthcare workers providing HIV care exhibited insufficient knowledge about LLV, resulting in a lack of formal adherence counselling for LLV management.
In the intervention study, intensive adherence counselling (IAC) demonstrated a significant impact, with the intervention arm achieving a nearly twofold increase in attaining a non-detectable viral load status of 57.4 percent compared to the non-intervention arm which was at 29.9 percent.
His findings prompted a significant policy shift, lowering the viral suppression threshold. The Ministry of Health has also implemented IAC for those with 50 to <1,000 copies/ml.
“As already highlighted, these findings have already partly guided the review of the HIV guidelines in Uganda, changing the viral load suppression threshold for plasma and dried blood spot samples respectively. Ministry of Health in Uganda has also instituted IAC as intervention to manage people living with HIV having at least 50 but less than 1,000 copies/ml,” comfortably says.
Dr. Nanyeenya with MakSPH Faculty (L-R) Dr. Esther Buregyeya, Head, Disease Control and Environmental Health Department, Dr. Christine Nalwadda, Head, Community Health and Behavioral Sciences Department and Professor Christopher Garimoi Orach.
Mentorship
In his PhD journey, Dr. Nanyeenya found strength in mentorship, both from his distinguished supervisors and fellow PhD colleagues. He benefited from a multi-disciplinary team of four dedicated supervisors (Prof. Fredrick Makumbi, Prof. Noah Kiwanuka, Prof. Nakanjako Damalie, and Dr. Gertrude Nakigozi) who, armed with extensive expertise in his research field, guided him through various aspects of doctoral research. He also received valuable mentorship from Dr. Simon Peter Kibira, Dr. Susan Nabadda, Prof. Larry Chang, Dr. Kigozi Godfrey, Dr. Siu Godfrey, Dr. Fred Nalugoda, Prof. Anne Katahoire, and others.
“The most impactful aspect of my PhD journey was the land marking mentorship. This mentorship was both from my mentors who comprised of my supervisors and other experienced researchers from the field of HIV research. Peer mentorship from my fellow colleagues in the PhD Forum was also very key in enabling me to handle the entire PhD process,” he says.
The department’s head, Dr. Joan Mutyoba, also played a fundamental role, ensuring every detail of the journey was attended to.
“Dr. Joan Mutyoba, who would literally follow up on every single detail to ensure that we get the necessary assistance to progress. However, I should confess that there was still many moments of crying and distress in the three years journey, however through prayer and consultative meetings with the supervisors, fellow PhD colleagues and the head of department, most of these were overcame and that is why, I am graduating,” Dr. Nanyeenya.
Dr. Nicholus Nanyeenya with Dr. Juliet Babirye during a PhD Colloquium at MakSPH in 2022.
Completing a PhD in a record less than 3 years
Completing his PhD in less than three years, Dr. Nanyeenya emphasizes the importance of swift action. He advises aspiring PhD candidates to persevere through challenges, knowing that the victory is worth the effort. His mantra is clear: “Once you make up your mind to start a PhD, fast track it and complete it!”
Choosing a field for a Ph.D. that aligns with one’s understanding and prior work experience is crucial. “My decision to pursue a Ph.D. in HIV low-level viraemia, a field linked to HIV viral load testing, aligns with my professional background. As an international consultant strengthening HIV systems and a programs officer at CPHL, I’ve accumulated extensive experience in this area. This expertise proved invaluable in overcoming challenges related to my research topic during my Ph.D. studies,” he says.
Dr. Nicholus Nanyeenya cuts cake shortly after his PhD Defense on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Looking ahead, Dr. Nanyeenya envisions becoming a global health leader, implementing evidence-based interventions to combat diseases in Uganda and beyond. His message echoes a profound truth: to control HIV and uplift Uganda, “We must love our country and fellow Ugandans.”
“I have worked as a consultant on health systems strengthening. This role has given me the opportunity to work with diverse communities in various developing countries, where I have witnessed many health challenges, characterized by many diseases of poverty and high mortality rates from rather preventable causes. My experience in the developed world has exposed me to the benefits of evidence-based interventions in promoting health and controlling diseases,” he says.
Dr. Nanyeenya Nicholus is not just graduating; he’s setting a course for a healthier, more resilient Uganda. His dedication to research, mentorship, and swift action exemplifies the transformative power of one individual committed to making a difference.
The intensive one-month course, running for the first time from June 5 to July 24, 2025, is jointly offered by Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)’s Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences (CHBS) and the Department of Journalism and Communication (DJC) at the School of Languages, Literature, and Communication (SLLC), co-designed in 2024 with support from the Rockefeller Foundation through Amref Health Africa.
It seeks to equip healthcare providers at the community level, public health and environmental health practitioners, communication specialists, health educators, community development officers, social scientists, and policy makers, among others, with strategic communication skills to improve public health messaging, strengthen community engagement, and support evidence-based interventions, ultimately empowering participants to effectively engage communities and improve population health outcomes across Uganda and the region.
Launching the course, the heads of the Department of Journalism and Communication and the Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences noted that participants who complete the short course will gain practical tools to influence behaviour change, build trust, and deliver timely, accurate, and relevant health information to the communities they serve. The first cohort attracted more than 60 applicants, with 36 reporting for the opening in-person session on June 5, 2025, at MakSPH in Mulago. Between now and July, participants will undergo a hands-on, multidisciplinary learning experience within the Certificate in Health Communication and Community Engagement program, which combines theory and practice.
Among the participants in the first cohort of the certificate course, designed as a pilot for the anticipated Master of Health Promotion and Communication to be jointly offered by the two departments at Makerere University, is Ms. Maureen Kisaakye, a medical laboratory technologist specialising in microbiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and currently pursuing a Master’s in Immunology and Clinical Microbiology at Makerere. She is driven by a passion to help reverse the rising tide of AMR, a growing global health threat where drugs that once worked are no longer effective. Kisaakye is particularly concerned about common infections, like urinary tract infections, becoming increasingly resistant and harder to treat.
“I enrolled in this course because I’m an advocate against antimicrobial resistance, and it came at a time when I needed to deepen my knowledge on how to implement our projects more effectively and engage with communities. The experience has broadened my understanding of AMR and its impact on society, and strengthened my passion for community-driven health initiatives and advocacy,” Kisaakye said, explaining why she enrolled for the short course.
Ms. Maureen Kisaakye (in white) during a youth-led community AMR and WASH awareness campaign in informal settlements in Kamwokya, Kampala, on 12th April, 2025.
Kisaakye’s work in antimicrobial resistance extends beyond the lab. Having earned her degree in medical laboratory science from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, she founded Impala Tech Research in 2024 to drive impact and save lives. She has led grassroots AMR campaigns that integrate antimicrobial stewardship with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education in underserved urban communities, including the informal settlements in Kampala. She also has since designed peer-led initiatives that empower university students as AMR Champions, building a network of informed youth advocates. Kisaakye believes the health communication course will sharpen her ability to design and deliver impactful, community-centred interventions in response to the growing threat of drug resistance.
“The department collaborates with many partners within and beyond the University, including the School of Public Health, where we are working to develop the subfield of health communication and promotion. Our goal is to train specialists in this area and build a community of practice, something we have each been doing in our own spaces. There’s a lot of work ahead, and COVID-19 showed us just how urgently we need a generation trained to do this kind of work, and to do it very well,” said Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication, during the opening of the short course on June 5.
Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication, underscored the partnership between DJC and MakSPH as a crucial step toward strengthening public health through strategic communication. June 5, 2025.
She assured participants they were in good hands and underscored the importance of the partnership between the Department of Journalism and Communication and the School of Public Health, describing it as a vital collaboration that brings together strategic communication and public health expertise. This dynamic, multidisciplinary approach, she noted, is essential to developing practical solutions that empower communities, strengthen health systems, and ultimately improve livelihoods.
The course offers a hands-on, multidisciplinary learning experience, with participants intended to explore key modules including Health Communication and Promotion, Risk Communication, Smart Advocacy, Community Mapping, Community Mobilisation and Empowerment, and Strategies for Community Engagement. The course combines theory with real-world application, and its assessment includes a field-based project and a final exam.
“You are our first cohort. We are seeing the fruits of our efforts in bringing this short course to life. It was born out of a joint initiative to develop a Master’s programme in Health Promotion and Communication,” said Dr. Christine Nalwadda, Head of the Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences. “We carried out extensive consultations with our different key stakeholders during the process and discovered a real need for such a course. It was the stakeholders who even named it; this course name didn’t come from us.”
For Kisaakye, by the end of the course in July, she hopes to have sharpened her skills in health promotion and strategic communication, particularly in crafting targeted messages that help individuals and communities effectively respond to threats such as antimicrobial resistance. She also aims to gain practical experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating community health initiatives that can strengthen her advocacy and drive lasting impact.
Dr. Marjorie Kyomuhendo, one of the course facilitators, engages Mr. Jackson Ssewanyana, a participant in the first cohort of the Certificate in Health Communication and Community Engagement, as Ms. Maureen Kisaakye listens in. June 5, 2025.
The Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is excited to invite researchers, professionals, and students to be part of an inspiring and impactful event!
Venue: School of Public Health Auditorium, Makerere University Main Campus Dates: August 7–8, 2025 Theme: “Understanding the burden and impact of injuries in East Africa to improve Emergency Care preparedness, mitigation, and response.”
Submit Your Abstracts Now!
Join the conversation that drives change in trauma and emergency care across East Africa. Share your research, innovations, and insights that can shape the future of healthcare response in our region.
Impact of Food Supplementation on Health, Growth, and Development for Stunted Children
We are seeking to appoint a full-time PhD Fellow to conduct a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) among 300 young children with stunting to assess the effect of Soy Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement with high versus low levels of antinutrients on growth and health of children on a DANIDA-supported project entitled “Climate-resilient soybean for improved growth and health of children in Uganda” (Healthy Soy). The PhD fellow will coordinate the RCT protocol development and its implementation, develop and nest his/her PhD protocol as part-of the RCT study. The PhD student will be hosted at the Child Health and Development Center School of Medicine College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. The PhD student will take part in literature review; designing, planning and conducting of studies; analysing results; writing reports and contributing to technical and policy briefs, journal articles and thesis; project management; organizing research seminars and stakeholder workshops; and guiding junior researchers and teaching. The PhD student will have access to online libraries, scientific databases and software for data analysis throughout their work. In addition, the student will be mentored by national and international researchers to develop scientific research and project management skills with three months stay in Denmark. By the end of the project, the selected candidate will have obtained significant competencies to explain the interactions between nutrition and health of children, growth and development. In addition, the student will gain skills in assessment of body composition, development and conduct of clinical trials design, scholarly writing and presentations, data analysis and interdisciplinary research.
Prospective candidates must:
Hold Masters in any of the following or equivalents: Human Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health, Public Health or
Epidemiology with undergraduate training in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB/MBBS/MD).
Having publication experience will be an added advantage.
Be highly motivated and interested in pursuing rigorous research
Be committed to a long-term research career in Human Nutrition and Health
Be of untainted integrity
Be able to use different software for data analysis and graphics.
Successful fellow will be expected to:
Conduct high quality research leading to publications in high-impact journals (must be ready to work towards publishing a minimum of one quality paper per year).
Contribute to research capacity building including training of undergraduate and M.Sc. students in the host department.
The project will avail financial support to the successful PhD Fellow for 4 years. Funds will cover: PhD tuition for 4 years; monthly stipend; research supplies and reagents; conference participation and other research-related costs.
Interested applicants should send an application letter, motivation statement, two recommendation letters, CV and academic transcripts and certificates for all university qualifications in an email titled “PhD Fellowship Application – Healthy Soy Project” to chdc.desk@mak.ac.ug by 26th June 20205.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.