Connect with us

General

In Memory and Honor of Professor John Tuhe Kakitahi’s illustrious legacy | 16-02-1940 to 15-05-2024

Published

on

Professor John Tuhe Kakitahi, a luminary in the field of public health nutrition has left an indelible mark on the landscape of healthcare in Uganda and beyond. At the age of 84, Professor Kakitahi was called to heaven this morning at Mulago Hospital. 

Today, we celebrate a man who from his early career years, demonstrated exceptional intellect, clinical acumen, passion and complete dedication to combating hunger, malnutrition and human suffering. Throughout his tenure at Institute of Public Health (IPH), Dr. Kakitahi’s contributions were manifold. He in addition to teaching and mentorship conducted field investigations and community outreaches to improve human nutrition and maternal-child health. Kakitahi’s contribution and influence in nutrition transcended borders, as he represented Uganda with distinction at various international forums. 

As a lecturer and public health nutritionist, Prof. Kakitahi established and headed Mwana mugimu nutrition center in Mulago hospital in the 1990s. Mwanamujimu became pivotal in treating kwashiorkor aided by support from Rotary International. He later established additional nutritional units and sites throughout Uganda.

In 2008, he served as Deputy Principal of the Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

Celebrating the life of Professor John Tuhe Kakitahi 16th February 1940 - 15th May 2024. Director, Institute of Public Health, Makerere University (1988-1991). Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Celebrating the life of Professor John Tuhe Kakitahi 16th February 1940 – 15th May 2024. Director, Institute of Public Health, Makerere University (1988-1991).


But Who was Kakitahi? 

Prof. John Tuhe Kakitahi was born on February 16, 1940. His university appointment came in March 1973. Now, picture Dr. Kakitahi as a hardworking, intellectual house surgeon with clinical acumen who was a good clinician, pediatrician, researcher, and nutritionist. In the early years of his career at the Department of Preventive Medicine, he collaborated with individuals such as the late Prof. Suleiman Jabir Farsey and Professor Joseph Sekyala Winter Lutwama (RIP), who was the first African to hold the title of Head of the Department of Preventive Medicine. The individuals he collaborated with provided an accurate portrayal of his character.

From 1948 until 1958, Dr. Kakitahi studied primary education at Kigezi High School. He studied Secondary O’Level at Busoga College Mwiri from 1957 to 1961 and ‘A’ level at Kings College Budo from 1962 to 1963. In 1964, he attended Makerere University and earned an MBChB in 1970.

Kakitahi was Senior Casualty Officer in New Mulago Hospital’s Casualty Department for 1.5 years before enrolling in IPH’s Diploma Course in Public Health. He managed department operations and provided emergency patient treatment. The Senior House Officer position at Mulago Hospital was Dr. Kakitahi’s first job after his internship. For 1.5 years, he oversaw casualty department patient care and administration. He also managed the Nurses Health Unit for a similar time, exhibiting his healthcare administration versatility and dedication.

Kakitahi also ran a Nutritional Rehabilitation Clinic at Kasangati Health Centre, providing critical services to the community. He also helped the Pediatrics Department in managing the Old Mulago Hospital’s Nutrition Ward. He intensively treated acutely malnourished children, contributing significantly to their care and recovery.

In 1968-1969, he worked in the Lymphoma treatment center and Solid Tumor Centre during school breaks. He took part in research on chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients as well.

Using his medical background, he joined the Institute of Public Health (IPH) in 1972 and earned a Diploma in Public Health in 1973. 

In 1973, he joined Makerere University Service as an IPH Lecturer. He passionately taught human nutrition to undergraduate and postgraduate students, particularly Diploma in Public Health students, as part of the Maternal Child Health and Nutrition teaching programme. His focus was on MCH field investigations, particularly the Ankole PPP.

On July 1, 1977, Dr. Kakitahi became a senior lecturer. Later, for 45 days, Dr. Kakitahi replaced Dr. Kakande as IPH director on June 22, 1987. He was sitting in for the then director, Professor Namboze, who was on a special assignment for the Health Policy Review Commission. On August 1, 1984, he was appointed as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Public Health. On September 18, 1989, Dr. Kakitahi assumed the position of Head of the Institute of Public Health for a two-year term.

Dr. Kakitahi’s remarkable journey is interwoven with stories of dedication, expertise, and significant impact. As a young medical practitioner, he worked as a Medical Officer at Makerere Students Health Centre for several months in 1973, shortly after being hired as a Lecturer at IPH, where he laid the groundwork for the transformation of the then-Sickbay into the current University Hospital. Dr. Kakitahi pursued excellence by finishing his MSc in Nutrition at Cambridge on a WHO scholarship from 1974 to 1976. His abilities and commitment made him a well-known member of the Uganda Medical Association and the British Nutrition Society, both of which promote health locally and globally.

In 1977, he successfully represented Uganda at the 27th WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo. This was the first of several significant appointments, including leading the Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit in 1980 and representing Uganda at international gatherings such as the Inter-Country Nutrition Workshop in Gaborone, Botswana, and the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Accra, Ghana, and Libreville, Gabon.

In May 1985, he accompanied the Minister of Health to the 38th World Health Assembly, where Uganda demonstrated its commitment to global health and nutrition programmes. In 1991, he organised Kampala’s first public discussion on Urban Health, Environment, and Health, solidifying his reputation as a community and occupational health visionary.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kakitahi provided expert consultancy services to the Food and Agriculture Organization and participated in numerous nutrition review missions aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition. These missions, organized by WHO, UNICEF, and other organizations, took place in countries such as Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Seychelles, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Lesotho as part of the Nutrition and Human Resources for Health Mission.

Dr. Kakitahi and his Role in Establishing the Mwana mugimu nutrition center

Mwana mugimu nutrition center was set up with support from Rotary International. Rotary International recognized it as the best nutritional unit in the East African region, and was related to the Save the Children Fund, which provided administrative and financial support. This support in the 1990s led to the establishment of similar nutritional units and sites throughout the country. Later, Princess Royal Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise visited the programme and recognised it as a successful Save the Children programme.

Mwanamugimu has its roots in a Luganda proverb (Mwanamugimu ava ku ngozi) that means “A healthy child comes from a healthy mother.”

In Uganda in the 1970s and 1980s, Dr. John Kakitahi led nutritional work. After treating children for severe acute malnutrition without success, Dr. Kakitahi, like many Ugandan doctors, became passionate about prevention. Kakitahi, like Prof. Namboze, left pediatrics early to study public health at the Makerere University Institute of Public Health, now known as the School of Public Health. When Amin’s repression and violence against Ugandans escalated in 1973, they recruited Kakitahi as a lecturer, and he took over the MRC Unit after Roger Whitehead and Paget Stanfield left.

Whitehead, the MRC’s senior scientist under Dean Stanfield, was instrumental in Mwanamugimu and its extension to the Luteete Health Center. Whitehead and other MRC Unit researchers were first skeptical of the Mwanamugimu program, but its public health ethic shaped their thinking and approach.

Whitehead and Stanfield, codirectors of the unit, initiated a research program to reframe nutrition as a science and practice of health promotion, influenced by Mwanamugimu’s hybrid public health model.

They renamed the MRC facility the Child Nutrition Unit, omitting “infantile” and “malnutrition,” and announced a longitudinal nutritional health study for rural village children during the unit’s extension opening on July 17, 1969, by the then-Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. S. W. Uringi.

Kakitahi struggled to run the unit without knowing the study program or how to get basic biochemical test reagents. Few medical supplies and the difficulties of fixing equipment and getting replacement parts prevented the MRC from continuing to operate as a research institution. Whitehead and the Dunn Nutrition Unit at Cambridge (which Whitehead then directed) helped Kakitahi travel abroad for nutrition training, escape the rising violence temporarily. After finishing his training in 1976, Kakitahi “plucked some courage and came back” to Uganda and took over the Mwanamugimu Unit.

Kakitahi kept the unit running with his personal vehicle and what he could spare from his increasingly meager salary, and he and Latimer Musoke, who had taken over as Chair of Pediatrics after Stanfield’s departure, launched a program to train public health workers and extend the Mwanamugimu program’s preventive promise to rural areas.

Kakitahi’s return from Cambridge coincided with the huge increase in violence when Israel attacked Uganda’s main airport at Entebbe. A Tel Aviv-Paris flight was hijacked in June 1976 and diverted to Entebbe with Amin’s consent. In a predawn raid a week later, Israeli forces rescued the hostages and killed the hijackers and twenty of Amin’s men.

Mwanamugimu promoted health and welfare in Amin’s Uganda during a medical shortage. The amazing endurance of the Mwanamugimu initiative illustrates what is often lost in simplistic stereotypes depicting Africa as a continent in crisis. Mwanamugimu’s growth throughout Uganda’s darkest hour demonstrates the need of long-term public health programming and biomedical knowledge. Musoke and Kakitahi were graduates of East Africa’s top medical and educational schools and were able to use their skills to do well in their periods of uncertainty. Kakitahi was one of a generation of medical students trained to increase Ugandan physician population. Mwanamugimu’s modest infrastructure, technology, and a flexible framework made it a local program that could survive resource constraints.

Kakitahi and his colleagues, in collaboration with village health workers, also known as “Ssalango,” conducted door-to-door visits in a specific area to provide community members with information, support, and essential medical care. Ssalango, who commenced working at the Luteete Health Centre in 1978, stated that one of their primary responsibilities was to identify children exhibiting stunted growth. Ssalango and other community health experts educated mothers and guardians on malnutrition and how to assess nutritional status using arm circumference. Similar to the significant women who received training at Mwanamugimu, they instructed individuals on how to prepare kitobero in their own homes using ingredients that were readily available and commonly used in their daily meals. In addition to this early intervention, community health workers were in a favourable position to do follow-up visits to prevent slightly malnourished children from progressing towards “kwashiorkor.”

Kakitahi and Latimer Musoke showed what long-term infrastructure and knowledge can do by expanding on prior public health programming and medical services. Kakitahi revitalized Mwanamugimu and expanded the nutrition scout program after Amin. Funding was needed to rebuild facilities, restore the Nutrition Rehabilitation Program, and boost outreach. In 1983, Rotary International awarded Kakitahi a $245,000 “Health, Hunger and Humanity” grant to reinstate all parts of the central Mwanamugimu Unit in Mulago, including medical training, and begin the “second phase.” The second phase revived nutritional initiatives at Kayunga, Luteete, and Kasangati satellites. It was projected they served 650,000 people by 1984.

Kakitahi then established outreach initiatives at health centers in Mbale, Jinja, Bugembe, Kitovu, Ibanda, Kabale, Kisoro, and Gulu, which required an intermediate owing to Northern insecurity. Mwanamugimu Nutrition Services, a national program founded by Kakitahi, was based on these eleven satellites.

Kakitahi envisioned a public health programme to boost the health of a new national population. A Rotary International delegation visited Uganda in 1985 and was so impressed with the program and its local reception that the organization made a rare exception to their one-time financing policy. Kakitahi assumed this was Rotary International’s last grant and stretched this second disbursement over three years. After Rotary International returned in 1987, another exception and grant were provided, bringing the total support to $980,000 from 1983 to 1992.50 Despite political turmoil, Kakitahi restored and expanded Mwanamugimu Nutrition Services.

Kakitahi, who had been trying to expand Mwanamugimu nutrition programs to remote regions, became “frustrated” when he could no longer secure funds in the early 1990s due to the IMF and World Bank’s Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs). After realizing he “didn’t have any money to continue,” WHO colleagues urged Kakitahi to create a health worker training program for newly independent Namibia. Uganda’s nutritional programming changed when Kakitahi left in dissatisfaction over structural adjustment’s lack of resources.

According to several observers, Ugandans regarded their national health system as “the demoralization of health workers” since many left when structural transformation proved difficult. Through Amin and the Bush War, Kakitahi stayed in Uganda.

Jennifer Tappan, a historian of Global Health in Africa and author of The Riddle of Malnutrition: The Long Arc of Biomedical and Public Health, calls John Kakitahi and his colleagues, Latimer Musoke, Ssalango, and Gladys Stokes, “awe-inspiring.”

Because of biomedical knowledge, competence, and infrastructure—the underpinnings of a national health system—Mwanamugimu survived. Thus, Mwanamugimu could become a fully local project, which, along with its clear worth, explains its amazing resilience.

Professor Tappan notes that “Kakitahi, his colleagues, and the influencers who kept Mwanamugimu alive illustrate the return on long-term investments in national systems of medical provision, which can then serve as the foundation for flexible and resilient public health programming, programming that can promote health and wellbeing in ways that increase rather than undermine sovereignty and the right to health that all people deserve.”

​Compiled by Communications Office -MakSPH

View on MakSPH

Mak Editor

General

Makerere Strengthens Capacity to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence

Published

on

Members of the Vice Chancellor's Roster of 100 in a group photo with Deputy Vice Chancellor (F&A) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe

Makerere University has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing sexual harassment and gender-based violence (GBV) by strengthening the capacity of members of the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100, a pool of trained staff that supports the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) in investigating sexual harassment cases across the University.

The one-day training, held on 30th June 2026, brought together members of the roster to deepen their understanding of sexual harassment prevention and response, strengthen investigative skills, and share practical experiences from previous investigations. The programme also sought to reinforce implementation of Makerere University‘s Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment (PRASH) while drawing lessons from institutions with extensive experience in handling gender-based violence.

Opening the training, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, urged members of staff to shift their focus from responding to incidents to preventing them altogether.

Prof. Henry Alinaitwe

“Prevention is far better than waiting for cases to happen and then beginning investigations. Our focus should be on creating an environment where incidents of sexual harassment do not occur in the first place,” he said.

Prof. Alinaitwe observed that as educators and members of staff, university employees are expected to serve as role models both within the institution and in the wider community. He noted that the University’s safeguarding, gender and sexual harassment policies were developed to ensure that every member of the University community studies and works in a safe environment.

He explained that sexual harassment extends beyond physical acts and may be verbal, non-verbal or electronic, including inappropriate messages, photographs, videos and social media communication. He encouraged timely reporting of incidents and emphasized that all complaints should be handled professionally, fairly and confidentially.

Dr. Euzobia Baine

“Become champions of prevention within your departments and units. Let us guide our students, colleagues and all those who interact with the University. Our responsibility does not end within the University gates. The values we promote here should also shape our conduct in our homes, workplaces and communities,” he urged.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor reminded participants that every incident of sexual harassment undermines trust and damages the University’s reputation.

“One case of sexual harassment is already one case too many. Every incident affects individuals, damages trust, and undermines our institution. We must therefore do everything possible to prevent such behaviour,” he emphasized.

Earlier, the Chief of the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Dr. Euzobia Baine, welcomed participants and stressed that the University’s priority is to prevent sexual harassment before it occurs.

Dr Sylvia Angubua Baluka form the College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity contribute to the discussion sexual harassment.

“The most important message today is prevention and response—and I want to emphasize prevention, prevention, prevention. We should not wait for incidents to occur before we act,” she said.

Dr. Baine noted that while the University continues to strengthen its response mechanisms, members of the roster must possess the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately whenever cases arise.

“We want our students to have a positive experience throughout their time at the University, and we also want all members of staff to work in a safe and respectful environment,” she added.

Presenting the objectives of the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100, Dr. Lillian Tukahiirwa from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate explained that the training was intended to create a common understanding of sexual harassment prevention and response, enable members to reflect on their roles, learn from previous investigation committees, strengthen implementation of PRASH, and benchmark with institutions such as the Uganda Police Force and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Participants also received presentations on understanding gender-based violence, the legal and policy framework governing investigations, and practical approaches to handling complaints.

Ms. Sumaiyah Nanyondo
Ms. Sumaiyah Nanyondo

Speaking on the legal framework, the University’s Director of Legal Affairs, Ms. Sumaiyah Nanyondo Sebuta, reminded members of the roster that investigating sexual harassment cases requires professionalism, impartiality and strict confidentiality.

“Every complaint deserves to be handled carefully because the consequences affect both the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator,” she said.

She explained that committee members are guided by international conventions, Uganda’s Constitution, national legislation and Makerere University‘s own policies, all of which seek to protect human dignity, eliminate discrimination and ensure fair treatment during investigations.

Ms. Sumaiyah further emphasized that investigators must avoid conflicts of interest, base their decisions solely on evidence, and protect the identities of complainants, respondents and witnesses throughout the investigation process.

Eric Tumwesigye engage participants

The training also featured presentations by Principal Gender Officer Eric Tumwesigye on understanding gender-based violence and by Senior Superintendent of Police Carolyne Kushemererwa of the Uganda Police Force, who shared lessons from investigating sexual harassment and gender-based violence cases. Participants explored reporting mechanisms, survivor-centred approaches, confidentiality, accountability and strategies for preventing sexual harassment within institutions.

Senior Superintendent of Police Carolyne Kushemererwa
Senior Superintendent of Police Carolyne Kushemererwa

The Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 forms a critical component of Makerere University‘s institutional response to sexual harassment. By equipping members with investigative skills, knowledge of legal and policy frameworks, and practical experience, the University continues to strengthen its commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for students, staff and the wider university community.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

Continue Reading

General

Makerere University Trains 250 Student Peer Trainers to Champion Gender Equality Leadership

Published

on

By Monica Meeme, Cynthia Ayaa Komakec and Eric Tumwesigye

Makerere University, through its Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Embassy of Sweden, UNESCO O3 Plus have successfully trained 250 Student Peer Trainers (SPTs) to strengthen student-led efforts in promoting gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence.

The three-day capacity-building workshop, held from 5th to 7th May 2026, brought together selected student leaders from across the University and formed part of Makerere University’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and gender responsive learning environment. The training equipped participants with practical knowledge and skills to serve as peer educators, advocates, mentors, and referral points for students requiring support on gender-related issues.

The workshop covered a wide range of thematic areas, including the Makerere University Gender Equality Policy, the Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), international, regional and national legal frameworks on gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), leadership development, effective communication, and student-led advocacy and action planning.

Facilitators included Susan Mbabazi, Principal Gender Officer; Eric Tumwesigye, Principal Gender Officer; Carol Abilat Gender Officer; Cynthia Ayaa Komakec Gender Officer; Dr. Richard Mwesigwa of UNFPA; Dr. Lilian Tukahira Assistant Administrator; and Judith Kiconco, Gender Officer.

Day One: Building Foundations for Gender Equality and Inclusion

The opening day commenced with welcome and opening remarks delivered by Ms. Susan Mbabazi, Acting Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer; Ms. Laura Criado Lafuente, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); and Dr. Rodney Rugyema, Office of the Dean of Students, who represented the Vice Chancellor.

[L-R] Ms. Susan Mbabazi, Acting Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer; Dr. Rodney Rugyema, Office of the Dean of Students; and Ms. Laura Criado Lafuente, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Ms. Laura Criado Lafuente described the training as more than a workshop, characterising it as a movement designed to empower students to influence attitudes, behaviours, and social norms within their communities. She encouraged participants to challenge harmful practices, support survivors of gender-based violence, and serve as catalysts for positive change both within and beyond the University.

Dr. Rodney Rugyema

Representing the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Rodney Rugyema emphasised that Makerere University’s mandate extends beyond academic excellence to ensuring the safety, well-being, and holistic development of its students. He urged participants to avoid harmful relationships, prioritise personal safety, and actively contribute to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive campus environment.

Dr. Rugyema further described Student Peer Trainers as the “eyes and ears” of the University community, underscoring their vital role in raising awareness, identifying emerging challenges, and mobilising collective action to prevent and address gender-based violence.

The first day of the workshop also introduced participants to the principles of gender equality, gender mainstreaming, and the institutional frameworks that guide Makerere University’s efforts to promote inclusion, equity, and student welfare.

Mr.Eric Tumwesigye

Ms. Susan Mbabazi provided a historical overview of the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and highlighted the University’s sustained commitment to creating an equitable and supportive academic environment. She also guided participants through the key provisions of the Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), emphasising the University’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment and all forms of gender-based violence.

Mr.Eric Tumwesigye facilitated a session on foundational gender concepts, enabling participants to deepen their understanding of gender dynamics, stereotypes, power relations, and the importance of promoting equality and inclusivity within university spaces.

A key highlight of the day was a presentation by Ms. Carol Abilat on the Makerere University Gender Equality Policy. She emphasised that gender equality is fundamentally rooted in fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity for all members of the University community, including marginalised groups and persons with disabilities.

Ms. Carol Abilat

Ms. Abilat further explained that the policy aligns with national development priorities and international commitments, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality. Participants were introduced to critical concepts such as consent, sexual harassment, discrimination, gender blindness, and inclusive approaches to teaching, learning, leadership, and institutional management.

Day Two: Understanding Legal Frameworks and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

The second day focused on strengthening participants’ understanding of legal and policy frameworks that promote gender equality and protect individuals from discrimination, sexual harassment, and gender-based violence.

Cynthia Ayaa Komakec

Facilitating the session on international, regional, and national legal frameworks, Cynthia Ayaa Komakec provided participants with a comprehensive overview of key human rights instruments and gender equality commitments.

At the international level, participants examined frameworks such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Discussions highlighted how these instruments have shaped global efforts to eliminate discrimination and advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls.

Dr. Richard Mwesigwa

The regional discussion focused on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), which provide important protections and promote women’s participation in social, economic, and political development across the continent.

The session also examined Uganda’s national legal and policy framework, including the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995), the Uganda Gender Policy, and relevant provisions of the Penal Code Act.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the implementation gap that often exists between legal protections and actual practice. Participants explored the importance of accountability, institutional commitment, awareness creation, and community engagement in translating legal frameworks into meaningful outcomes.

Participants in a group work during a session.

The day also featured a session on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) facilitated by Dr. Richard Mwesigwa from UNFPA.

Dr. Mwesigwa introduced participants to UNFPA’s mandate and mission before guiding them through key concepts relating to sexual health, reproductive health, rights, and access to services. The session addressed the importance of informed decision-making, consent, healthy relationships, prevention of gender-based violence, and available support mechanisms for students experiencing harassment or abuse.

Participants were also equipped with practical guidance on how Student Peer Trainers can provide information, make referrals, and support fellow students in accessing appropriate services and assistance.

Group representatives present resolutions from respective groups

Throughout the day, facilitators emphasised the need to position students as active change agents capable of promoting positive behavioural change within colleges, halls of residence, and wider communities.

Day Three: Partnerships, Leadership and Action Planning

The final day focused on strengthening peer leadership skills and equipping participants with practical tools for developing and implementing student-led initiatives.

Representatives from development partners reaffirmed the importance of youth leadership and collaborative action in addressing gender inequalities and preventing gender-based violence.

Jessica Pellrud from the Embassy of Sweden
Jessica Pellrud from the Embassy of Sweden

Addressing participants, Jessica Pellrud from the Embassy of Sweden emphasised that gender equality remains a critical pillar of sustainable development. She encouraged students to become long-term advocates for social transformation by challenging harmful norms, supporting survivors, and promoting inclusive participation among both women and men.

Eric Tumwesigye reflected on the growth of the Student Peer Trainers programme noting that the initiative has expanded from training 50 students annually to 250 peer educators. The expansion is intended to strengthen outreach and increase access to peer support services across the University.

He encouraged participants to integrate gender awareness into broader discussions on mental health, academic achievement, healthy relationships, and responsible digital engagement.

Dr. Lilian Tukahirwa

Facilitating the action-planning session, Dr. Lilian Tukahirwa guided participants through the process of designing practical and achievable interventions for their respective colleges. She emphasised the importance of creativity, flexibility, teamwork, and collaboration with academic staff and College leadership to ensure sustainable impact.

The workshop concluded with participants developing action plans aimed at promoting gender equality, preventing sexual harassment, and strengthening awareness and support mechanisms within their academic units.

Renewed Commitment to Student-Led Change

In his closing remarks, Eric Tumwesigye commended participants for their commitment, discipline, and active engagement throughout the three-day training programme. He also acknowledged the valuable contributions of facilitators and development partners, including UNFPA, and the Embassy of Sweden.

He announced that participants would undertake online evaluations and receive support in developing concept papers for college-based initiatives designed to promote gender equality and prevent sexual harassment.

Tumwesigye emphasised that while institutional support remains critical, the long-term success of the programme depends on sustained student leadership, ownership, and commitment.

The workshop concluded with a renewed pledge from the newly trained Student Peer Trainers to champion gender equality, support vulnerable students, and contribute to building a safer, more inclusive, and gender-responsive Makerere University community.

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

IDI Job Advert: Communications Officer (1)

Published

on

IDI Job Advert: Communications Officer (1), apply by 17th July 2026. Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

General Summary

Scope of Work

IDI seeks a creative, hands-on Communications Officer to lead visual storytelling for the organisation. This role sits at the intersection of graphic design, video production and digital communications. You’ll turn complex research and health data into polished, on-brand content, infographics, videos, social media assets and donor-facing materials. You’ll manage IDI’s digital platforms and strengthen the systems that capture, organise and share our work. The ideal candidate pairs design skills with a storytelling instinct, making science accessible to researchers, partners, policymakers, and the public alike.

Key Responsibilities

Detailed Responsibilities

Graphic Design (35%)

  • Create visually appealing materials, such as infographics, brochures, posters, reports, newsletters and presentations communicating IDI’s research, programmes and initiatives.
  • Develop digital assets for the website, social media and email campaigns, consistent with brand guidelines.
  • Translate complex scientific data into accessible visualisations and illustrations for non-expert audiences.
  • Ensure all designs meet accessibility standards (WCAG) and are optimised for print and digital platforms.

Video & Photography Production (30%)

  • Script, shoot and edit video content, including educational visuals, and promotional pieces to raise awareness and engage relevant audiences.
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts, including coordinating external vendors or freelancers as necessary, to ensure scientific accuracy.

Web & Social Media Management (20%)

  • Maintain and update the IDI website, ensuring content is current, accurate and accessible.
  • Grow and manage social media accounts (LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) through consistent, data-led content.
  • Maintain a well-organised media bank for storage, retrieval and repurposing of communications assets.

Brand, Events & Capacity Building (15%)

  • Maintain IDI’s visual brand identity across all platforms and documents, including donor branding requirements.
  • Provide communications support for events, launches, workshops and field visits.
  • Build staff capacity through storytelling, photography and videography training.
  • Support emergency communications by promptly packaging and sharing time-sensitive content.

Academic Qualifications

  • graphic design, multimedia arts, visual communication, or a related discipline.

Person Specification

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, multimedia arts, visual communication, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in graphic design and video production, preferably within a healthcare, scientific or non-profit environment.
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects) and other relevant tools, including Canva.
  • A robust portfolio demonstrating expertise in graphic design, data visualisation, photography and video production.
  • Proven ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging visuals for diverse audiences.
  • Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g. WCAG) and best practices for print and digital media.
  • Excellent project and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working across functions.
  • Experience with donor-funded programmes and knowledge of public health or infectious disease topics is advantageous.

More details

Job Code: CO X001
No of Positions: 1
Station: Kampala
Classification: Full-time
Duration: 12 Months
Reports to: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Posted Date: 2026-07-06 15:34:01.000
Closing Date: 2026-07-17 11:59:00.000

View on IDI/Apply Now

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending