Health
Mak Grants Professors David Serwadda, Phillipa Musoke a Lifetime Professor Emeritus Appointment
Professor David Serwadda has been offered a lifetime professor emeritus position at Makerere University. This decision was reached at the 489th meeting of Makerere University Council, the supreme governing body of the university, on recommendation and nomination of the chief academic organ of the University, the Senate acknowledging his exceptional contributions to academia.
The prestigious title of Emeritus Professor, is bestowed upon retired professors in line with the university’s policies, aims to retain exemplary scholars who have reached the mandatory retirement age. This is in accordance with the University’s Policy and Procedures for The Award of The Title “Emeritus Professor”; The purpose is to retain an academician who has attained his or her mandatory retirement age under the existing Employment Policy of the University.
Pursuant to university policy, an Emeritus Professor is expected to embody a set of key responsibilities, such as mentoring, continuous knowledge generation in his or her field of specialization, and promoting research and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Professor Serwadda, 67, is an icon of academic excellence, prolific researcher and an expert in infectious disease-focused public health deeply interested in HIV clinical drug trials, HIV epidemiology, infectious disease surveillance, and HIV intervention program assessment. His great contributions have had a significant impact on the academic landscape over the course of a distinguished professional history that extend over 35 years having been appointed in Makerere University in 1993 and gone through the ranks to full Professor. This has been demonstrated in his research endeavors at Makerere University, leadership roles, and comprehensive teaching across undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels.
In 1982, Professor Serwadda received his medical degree from Makerere University after which he went to Newcastle Upton Tyne Medical School in England for a Master of Science in Medicine in 1987. In 1990, he completed his Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine Makerere University in 1990 and subsequently obtained a Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) from the John Hopkins School of Hygiene in the United States in 1991. In recognition of his outstanding leadership in the HIV/AIDS response and his noteworthy scientific accomplishments, John Hopkins University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2011.
In his illustrious university service career, that started off in the Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), then Institute of Public Health (IPH). He was director and eventually Dean of the School of Public health for 8 years. Professor Serwadda is commended for his meritorious service to Makerere University he has excelled in teaching, mentorship of students and junior staff made significant contribution to both national and international research. Notable for his resourcefulness, extensive networks, and scholarly integrity, Prof. Serwadda’s vast contributions significantly elevated infectious disease research, boasting an impressive repertoire of approximately 400 publications.
He was instrumental in the founding of the Rakai Health Sciences Program, Makerere Walter Reed Project, and the Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) enhancing prominence both domestically and globally by means of innovative research endeavors.
Moreover, Prof. Serwadda’s remarkable memberships in eminent professional associations, broad committee participation, and recent appointment as Senior Editor of the acclaimed eLife Journal highlight his worldwide influence and dedication to the promotion of public health.
He is a reviewer of research proposals for; the National Institute of Health, Non-communicable illness in low-middle income countries 2016-; and Wellcome trust, population and public health 2008- and has attracted the University numerous research funds. Currently, he is the chair of the fundraising committee for MakSPH infrastructure, where he initiated the conversation with Johns Hopkins University and worked with the dean to negotiate a partnership that led to in the 1.1 million USD construction grant from Johns Hopkins University for American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA).
Professor Serwadda has demonstrated outstanding leadership in community service while serving in important roles at Makerere University, including Dean of the School of Public Health (2007–2009) and Director of the Institute of Public Health (2002–2007). Prior, he headed the Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control from 1999 to 2002 and served as the Executive Director of the Rakai Health Sciences Program from 1998 to 2017. He championed the creation of the MakSPH Grants Committee and Office, which he served as its chair until 2021. He currently serves on the Grants Management Committee of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF).
Several awards and honors have been bestowed upon Professor Serwadda. These include the following: The Visionary Guidance award by Uganda Health Marketing Group (2016); the Outstanding dedication to the HIV and AID response through services to TASO award in 2015; the Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health founder; and the visionary and exceptional leadership in nurturing the HIV fellowship PROGRAM – 2014. Award of appreciation given in honor of the exceptional volume of scientific publications in 2013 Distinguished Service Award, British Council, 2008; Pioneer in Behavior-Based HIV Prevention, Harvard University, December 2006; Honorary Doctorate, John Hopkins University, May 2011; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Alumni Knowledge of the World Award, October 2010.
The Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe described the duo as long-serving and dedicated academics, who have diligently served Makerere University and Uganda at the College of Health Sciences until retirement.
“By accepting the appointment of Professor Emeritus, both Prof. Philippa Musoke and Prof. David Serwadda have expressed their readiness to allow Makerere University to continue tapping into their expertise and wealth of experience to mentor the next generation of academics and researchers, and to continuously generate knowledge in their fields of specialization, and promote research, publications and innovation. I thank them for their selfless service and congratulate them on this achievement,” said Professor Nawangwe.
Professor Philippa Musoke (MBChB, FAAP, PhD) is a US board-certified Paediatric Infectious Diseases specialist in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine College of Health Sciences, Makerere University and is currently based at the Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration in Kampala Uganda. Prof. Musoke chairs the Ministry of Health PMTCT and the paediatric antiretroviral treatment technical subcommittees.
Prof. Musoke has dedicated the past 28 years to teaching at the Makerere Medical School, treating sick children at the Mulago National Referral Hospital, and conducting research at MU-JHU Care Ltd. She has supervised and mentored numerous medical students, postgraduate students including PhD candidates, and junior faculty. At MUJHU, she has mentored and inspired multiple junior investigators, enabling them to become independent investigators. Prof. Musoke is dedicated and committed to excellence in clinical care, training and research.
She is currently the international vice chair of the US, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Division of AIDS, IMPAACT network. Prof. Musoke has published over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals, presented research findings at national and international conferences, and contributed to the prevention and management of HIV globally. Prof. Musoke is a technical advisor for WHO and other international health organizations.
Since 1995, she has conducted multiple perinatal HIV prevention clinical trials addressing important challenges like the benefit of single dose nevirapine (NVP) to the mother at the onset of labor and her infant at birth to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) (HIVNET012), infant nevirapine dosing for prevention of breast milk HIV transmission (HPTN046), and the benefit of triple antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding in further reducing MTCT (PROMISE).
Health
Call for Abstracts: 2nd East African Symposium and Expo on Trauma, Injuries, and Emergency Care – 2025
At a ceremony held on 30th May 2025, themed ‘They taught us without saying a word’, the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) commemorated the silent teacher which are the cadavers (bodies) used in anatomy classes for medical students. In addition to a commemoration service, the event was used to create awareness and sensitise the public about the the importance of whole body donation.
The chief guest at the commemoration was Professor Mukadasi Buyinza, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs representing the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. The event attended by MakCHS students, staff and alumni was organised by students under Anatomy Society of MakCHS supported by Department of Anatomy and MakCHS leadership.
Welcoming guests to the event, Waziwu Mordecai–final year student of medicine and surgery who serves as President of the Anatomy Society, MakCHS explained that the reason for the gathering is three-pronged: to commemorate the silent teachers who make a profound contribution to medical education; to instill knowledge, compassion, and professionalism in future healthcare providers; and call on the community to support this noble act through awareness, advocacy, or future donation. ‘May the memory of our silent teachers live on in every life we will one day save’, he said.
The Anatomy society was founded in 2013 with aim of students providing peer mentorship to fellow students in lower years, such mentorship sessions help students appreciate better the anatomy of the human body. The society has supported:enhanced learning and mentorship; promoted academic participation including internal and external quizzes; and fostered connections including strengthen relationships between students across classes and with alumni.
Professor Elisa Mwaka, Head – Department of Human Anatomy welcomed all present for attending the ceremony. He thanked the College management led by the Principal, Professor Bruce Kirenga for the support provided in organizing the ceremony. He also expressed utmost appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for attending despite the competing priorities requiring his attention.
Professor Mwaka highlighted that we are here today, to pay our respect to the individuals whose bodies have been used for medical examination and research at MakCHS through offering prayers as well as sensitize people about willful/consented whole body donation.
Professor Mwaka explained that globally, sources of whole bodies for medical education and research are got through willed whole-body donation, unclaimed bodies in hospitals, imported bodies, executed persons among other means. In Uganda, unclaimed bodies in hospitals are used for medical as determined by the Uganda National Rules in the Penal Code Act of 1957.
In 2012 International Federation of Anatomy Associations (IFAA) recommended voluntary donation as the desirable and the only acceptable source for acquiring bodies. Almost all Africa countries and some European countries lack national body donation programs.
Speaking at the event, Professor Bruce Kirenga, Principal – MakCHS thanked Professor Mwaka for the insightful presentation. He welcomed Professor Buyinza to MakCHS and for accepting to attend despite the late invitation. He recognized the presence of the staff present and support towards the college activities.
Professor Kirenga underlined the importance of biomedical science under which human anatomy falls in medical education. ‘Biomedical sciences play a key role, once someone in grounded in the area, then he will be a good doctor’, he said.
The Principal also stressed that during his term of office operation efficiency will remain key ingredient for service delivery as well as rebuilding and rehabilitation of teaching and learning facilities. ‘Works to make the Biochemistry laboratory a model lab has commenced with a contract awarded to service provider; the refurbishment will be in phases’.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi thanked the College, Human Anatomy department and the students for organizing the commemoration. ‘The amount of joy I have this morning, we should have done this a long time ago’, he said.
He expressed happiness at this commemoration for the silent teachers who unknowingly give so much to medical education and therefore mankind. He advised that community engagement to create awareness about the need for whole-body donation, regulatory compliance, and alignment to best practices.
He noted that disciplines like medicine is more like charity because medical practitioners give so much of themselves. ‘The number of people attending this ceremony is show of love for the discipline and commitment to the calling’ he said.
Professor Buyinza reiterated the commitment of Makerere University management to support MakCHS endeavours including this culture of commemorating the silent teacher. ‘Well-trained and season doctors are a result of the process explained here and the absence of bodies affects the quality of education provided and therefore the doctors produced’, he added.
Candles for the cadavers were lit and services representative of Anglican, Catholics and Muslims were conducted to remember the souls of the departed and wish them a peaceful rest. Ordinand Cosmas Ddembe for Anglican, Father Valentine Amuneke for Catholic and Dr. Haruna Kiryowa for Muslim preached the importance of respect for the dead and sacrifices of the dead for advancement of research and education in the medical field and health services.
Giving closing remarks, Professor Mwaka noted that setting up whole-body donation programs in Africa requires a holistic approach involving education, cultural sensitivity, legal structures, and partnerships with medical institutions.
Reasons why Africa has failed to establish body donation programs:
- Low awareness and willingness to donate bodies.
- Cultural and traditional beliefs
- Religious beliefs
- Fear of mishanding bodies
- Lack of legislation/ ambiguous regulations
- Lack of institutional policies and standard operating procedures
- Institutions should be encouraged to hold Services of thanksgiving or commemoration for those who have donated their bodies for medical education and research.
The following is required to change the current status:
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Community engagement and awareness creation
- Educational campaigns
- Developing legal and ethical frameworks
- Building partnerships between hospitals and medical institutions
- Establishing local body donation systems i.e.,
- donation registration process,
- consent documentation,
- Logistical infrastructure necessary for the
- donation process.
- Effective communication, public trust,transparency.
- Training and professional development of healthcare providers.
- Global collaboration and funding: to share knowledge, best practices, and resources.
- Government support
- Funding and incentives
- Inclusion of body donation in national health strategies.
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