Health
Former Grade III Teacher graduates with a PhD: NCDC approves her Study Intervention for Adolescent Care
Sixty four-year-old Sarah Bunoti Nantono is a retired teacher and Lecturer of Psychology. She enrolled for a Ph.D. program at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in 2013 with the goal of studying early adolescent reproductive health.
Having taught for more than thirty years, Dr. Sarah Bunoti Nantono had moved up the academic ladder from being a primary school teacher to a lecturer at Kyambogo University. She believed that earning a PhD would be her ultimate goal in life. While at Kyambogo University, the second largest of the now 13 public universities in Uganda, Dr. Sarah Bunoti devoted her professional life to training social scientists, teachers and teacher educators.
Eleven years later, Dr. Bunoti Sarah Nantono is one of the 46 females of the 132 PhD graduands in the #Mak74thGrad, which begins on Monday, January 29, 2024.
She successfully earns a Doctor of Philosophy ( PhD) in Public Health from Makerere University following her in-depth research titled; “Pubertal and Child Rights Awareness, Communication, and Child Protection against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation among 10–14-year-olds in Jinja Primary Schools: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Effectiveness of a School-Based Intervention.”
Dr. Sarah Bunoti is a seasoned lecturer with a proven track record in teacher training, social sciences, and psychology. Holding an MSc in Environment from Makerere University Institute of Environment, she also earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Psychology from Makerere University in 1999, a Diploma in Teacher Education from ITEK in 1995, and a Grade III Primary School Teachers’ Certificate from the National Institute of Education. Beginning her career in 1981 as a primary school teacher, and later as a Teacher Trainer in the Ministry of Education in 1995, Sarah transitioned to Kyambogo University in 2000, where she currently serves as a part-time Lecturer, following her retirement. Sarah Bunoti Nantono is not only an educator but also an accomplished author, contributing to the development of the Child Rights Curriculum (CRED-PRO).
Dr. Sarah Bunoti’s PhD research examined how Jinja primary school children, aged 10 to 14, understood puberty and their rights related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The study looked at their knowledge sources, difficulties, and prospects for managing pubertal health effectively.
The 10-14 age group comprises 10% of the global population, with Uganda having a higher percentage at 16%. This period marks the onset of significant changes, known as the storm in Psychology, involving body transformations and social shifts.
According to Dr. Sarah Bunoti, timely support during these changes fosters a sense of achievement, but delays can lead to anxiety and unpreparedness. Uganda, aligning with international agreements, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, works to uphold children’s sexual well-being through policies and partnerships.
Dr. Sarah Bunoti further notes in her research that the 10-14 age group in Uganda encounters puberty during primary school without appropriate information, support, protection, or preparation for the changes, leading to psychological challenges, sexual abuse, early marriages, unplanned pregnancies, and a rise in school dropouts.
![Dr. Sarah Bunoti's PhD Defense Panel [Professor Stella Neema, Associate Professor Joseph Ssenyonga, Dr. Siu E. Godfrey, Dr. Beyeza-Kashesya Jolly and supervisors Associate Professor Lynn Atuyambe, Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye alongside the session chairperson Prof. Garimoi Orach] determining the verdict before she was declared to have passed her defense. Davies Lecture Theatre, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.](https://news.mak.ac.ug/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Makerere-CHS-SPH-74th-Graduation-Dr-Sarah-Bunoti-Jan2024-PhD-Defense-Panel-1024x683.jpg)
Busoga region, where the study was conducted faces particularly high rates of teenage pregnancies (7%) and school dropouts (91%). Children hold misconceptions driven by myths about puberty, emphasizing the lack of systematic guidance. Current Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health programs focus on older children in secondary schools, neglecting the needs of those under 15.
Traditional sources, like family discussions, have diminished, placing the responsibility on schools, which often lack the necessary resources and teacher training. As a result, many 10-14-year olds are ill-prepared for changes and lack protection against sexual abuse, highlighting the necessity for evidence-based school interventions to address this information gap.
“Previously in our African traditional setting, the Aunties, Uncles and grandparents talked about puberty and prepared children for adulthood however with the breakdown of African traditional settings, schools are expected to do the role of talking to children about puberty.
Unfortunately, schools often look at puberty as an issue that is concerned with the family and expect the family to do that but also one possible problem is that the teachers themselves don’t know what to do when they are preparing these children for that,” observes Dr. Sarah Bunoti.
Unfortunately, some stakeholders use threatening language, warnings, and punishments, contributing to risk behaviors, including sexual abuse, mood swings, and trauma among children.
“We wanted to find out what these children know about puberty, challenges they face and the support they get. We also wanted to find out from key duty bearers, these are parents and teachers, what kind of support do they give to the children and to what extent do they fulfill their obligations to protect the children against sexual abuse,” said Dr. Sarah Bunoti.
The study covered 16 primary schools purposefully selected for their diverse characteristics, including boarding status, religious affiliations, gender specifications, and geographical locations. The investigators also engaged with government officials to understand their stance on current sexual and reproductive health issues among young adolescents.
The study exposed deficiencies in children’s understanding of puberty and child rights, along with teachers’ inadequate knowledge and skills in teaching puberty.
Findings for instance revealed that kids—particularly boys—don’t often get the chance to talk candidly about puberty with adults. In all focus group conversations, the study gave boys and girls a forum to openly address their experiences, difficulties, and rights related to sexual and reproductive health. This emphasizes how important it is for all people to become widely sensitive to the issues that face kids. Stepmothers were found not to communicate about puberty because of generalization and others.
“Surprisingly, discussions on pubertal challenges elicited more extensive responses from both boys and girls compared to other topics. Boys, although engaging in perceived anti-social behavior, demonstrated a level of conscience. It became evident that children, despite being sexually and biologically mature, require guidance on navigating the impact of hormones on their sexual feelings. The blame for communication gaps often falls on parents, who may be absent due to work, divorce, or being orphaned,” says Dr. Bunoti.
Subsequently, she developed, applied, and assessed two intervention books; A children’s Resource book and a Teachers’ guide. The Randomized Control Trial demonstrated improved pubertal knowledge among children and enhanced teaching capabilities in teachers, affirming the intervention’s effectiveness. These intervention books were approved by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) and approved for teaching pubertal health and safety in primary schools nationwide.
Dr. Bunoti has recommended empowering and involving young communicators to convey Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information to 10-14-year-olds, working collaboratively with parents and teachers, a strategy she believes will narrow the generation gap and enhance effective communication. Additionally, she calls for increased awareness and participation of male parents and teachers in SRH communication and child protection.
“Parents and adults should supplement school-based SRHR education by instilling age-appropriate individual, family, and community values and skills rooted in social, cultural, and religious contexts. Provide specialized training for Senior Women Teachers and Male Teachers, and reduce their teaching load to ensure dedicated attention to this critical aspect of education,” Dr. Bunoti expertly says.
Her study, funded by Sida and supervised by Dr. Lynn Atuyambe and Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, successfully attained this recognition.
During her PhD defense, Associate Professor Lynn Atuyambe remarked, “It was a very enjoyable defense. You truly and successfully defended your PhD—now, you own your PhD.”
“I want to thank most especially your family, they’ve been part of this journey I am not guessing, I know they’ve been and am excited to see them and I like the support they have offered to mum. The highest level of education in the world is a PhD, you can do no more than that. You have reached at the saddle of your life in academia, congratulations and I wish you good luck,” said Dr. Lynn Atuyambe.
How her PhD Journey started
About a decade ago, SIDA had been consistently supporting Makerere University. However, they decided to extend their support to other public universities. When the opportunity arose, she seized it.
“I have a habit of greeting, and my children often question why I greet so much. Sometimes, it turns out to be quite beneficial. One day, I walked into my Dean Dr. J Katigo – Kaheeru’s office and greeted, asking how he was. He said, ‘Sarah, I am glad you’ve come, read this but I said Doctor I am not ready for this, but he said, ‘Sarah, you can’t give any more excuses, this is a God given opportunity, they want a concept for the SIDA Scholarships, go ahead and write a concept.’ I later met Professor Mary N Okwakol, my undergraduate Lecturer of Zoology, and Professor Albert Lutalo Bbosa, the former Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, who too reassured me of my potential to attain a PhD. Out of 26 submissions from Kyambogo University, only three concepts were selected, and fortunately, mine was one of them,” Dr. Sarah Bunoti recalls.
Once her concept was ready, Dr. Bunoti came to Makerere University, but her research topic was broad. Unfortunately, her background did not align with the faculties that typically received sponsorship from SIDA. Zoology, Psychology, Education, and Environmental Studies were her strengths, but none fell within the supported areas.
Feeling disconsolate, she sought guidance from the then Director of Research and Graduate Studies at Makerere University, Professor Elly Katunguka. “He said, ‘why should you really struggle looking for a home, go and try School of Public Health. With your background, you’ll find a home,” she recalls.
Acting on his advice, Dr. Sarah Bunoti visited the School of Public Health one morning. However, the Dean, Prof. William Bazeyo, then, was away on leave; “I spoke with Assoc. Prof. Fred Wabwire-Mangen, the Acting Dean at the time. I explained my situation, highlighting my expertise in teaching, psychology, and environmental studies. He encouraged me to submit my concept, assuring me that these areas were valued in public health. This led to provisional admission, and I began refining my proposal with their guidance.”
As she exited Dr. Mangeni’s office, he promptly contacted Professor Anne Katahoire, who was by then the Director of Makerere University Child Health and Development Centre and Prof. Atuyambe, who was in Nairobi for a conference and told them; “We have a prospective student here, are you willing to take her up and without hesitation, Prof. Anne said yes and Prof. Lynn said, ‘I am in Nairobi but when I come back, I want to see that student,” Sarah recollects.
Subsequently, Prof. Mangeni reached out to Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye upon recognizing the importance of the statistics component, he promptly invited her to discuss further details at the school. “In a short span, I found myself with a dedicated team of supervisors, a supportive Doctoral Committee chaired by Prof. Christopher Garimoi Orach with Prof Joseph Oonyu (RIP) and Dr. Christine K. Nalwadda, and a scholarly home in the Department of Community and Behavioral Sciences at the Makerere University School of Public Health,” Sarah Bunoti says.
Dr. Sarah Bunoti expresses gratitude to the MakSPH PhD Forum, the MakSPH family, the funder and her mother institution -Kyambogo University for the immeasurable support.
Dr. Sarah Bunoti expresses gratitude to the MakSPH PhD Forum, the MakSPH family, the funder and her mother institution -Kyambogo University for the inestimable support. She is also grateful to head teachers, teachers, children, and parents from her 16 project schools; Jinja City and District Education, Health and Community Development officers as well as the Family and Child Protection Unit of the Uganda Police Force and others for the information and support rendered to her.
“I can’t quantify the support I received from MakSPH, from PhD forum, from my supervisors you all did a good job to support me in this. In addition, SIDA did a good job because with our teaching salary, paying for my PhD would have been a problem but they paid all my tuition even when the scholarship was ending they said Sarah, we are paying for two years at ago and paid for the field’s activities,” she recalls.
She is equally grateful to everyone who provided her and her research team with useful information; Kyambogo University for assigning a teaching assistant to help her focus and her husband, Dr. Bunoti, who has promised to support her dream.
“I want to thank my family, my sister Mrs. Rebecca Lucy and her husband Eng. Dr James Muwuluke, my children. They have been there for me, my husband, Dr. Bunoti met me when I was a primary school teacher and he was a Doctor teach and told me, Sarah, I will support you until you are tired of reading and has kept his word, there are few empowered men who will want a woman to come up and get the title they hold,” she said.
“Given what I have gone through, am so excited about this achievement. My family is so excited about this. My husband is extremely excited. They have written short paragraphs about me about my resilience. I had decided not to hold any celebration but my sister and her husband says this could not pass since it is no mean achievement,” she says.
Dr. Godfrey Siu Etyang, her Ph.D. overseer, has invited her to collaborate on a parenting project at the Child Health and Development Center, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. Over the past month, she has been actively contributing to the development of a comprehensive parenting curriculum for the unit.
Dr. Bunoti anticipates scaling up the approved intervention, particularly to additional primary schools in the Busoga region and beyond and has already began talks with Ministry of Education and Sports to support children’s understanding of puberty, a sine qua non for education and parenting.
Unexpected difficulties affected Dr. Sarah Bunoti Nantono’s journey to earning her Ph.D., resulting in longer than the expected four to six years. Midway through her studies, she developed insomnia, which was an unexpected health problem. In 2020 when it appeared that she would soon graduate, the Doctoral Committee insisted that she must publish her work, and was reluctant to accept a monograph, one of the options for one to graduate with a PhD at Makerere University. Further delays were due to lengthy processes to have her manuscripts published and clearances through the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Other than these challenges, Dr. Nantono also had to repeat the entire data collection process and deal with the untimely death of Assoc. Prof. Joseph Oonyu, a key member of her doctorate committee, in October 2020. Despite these challenges, Dr. Nantono feels proud to have completed her doctorate, demonstrating her incredible endurance in the face of adversity.
Congratulations Sarah!
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.
Health
MakCHS 2026 Orientation begins: Freshers Urged to Prioritise Responsibility, Integrity and Academic Excellence
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 4th August and will conclude on 7th 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, 7th 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.
-
General2 days agoUndergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoFreshers’ Joining Instructions 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoAdmission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2026/27
-
General1 week agoMakerere University Welcomes 2026/2027 Freshers
-
General1 week agoProf. Ssali makes strong case for Minutes Writing as MakWC Holds Staff Training