Left to Right: Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni, Mr. Simon Kizito, Prof. Damalie Nakanjako, Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Dr. David Patrick Kateete (Rear), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Dr. Richard Idro (Rear), Mr. Patrick Akonyet and Prof. Annettee Nakimuli at the handover ceremony on 2nd December 2024.
On 2nd December 2024, Assoc. Professor Bruce Kirenga officially took over as Principal of the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University (MakCHS) in a handover ceremony held in the College Board Room. Dr. Kirenga succeeds Professor Damalie Nakanjako, who successfully completed her four-year term.
The ceremony was attended by members of the MakCHS Administrative Board and key university leaders, including Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Professor Henry Alinaitwe, Chief of Human Resources, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni, & Deputy University Secretary Mr. Simon Kizito, among others.
Prof. Damalie Nakanjako (2nd Left) shows of her plaque as Ag. DVCFA-Prof. Henry Alinaitwe (2nd Right), Deputy US-Mr. Simon Kizito (Left), Dr. David Patrick Kateete (Right) and Dr. Richard Idro (2nd Right) witness.
In her remarks, Professor Nakanjako reflected on her time in office with gratitude and pride since she assumed office in December 2020. She expressed her full support for MakCHS in contributing towards training and research in Makerere University.
Professor Nakanjako thanked the university top management for the support rendered to during her term of office as Principal. I thank family, friends and colleagues who supported and allowed me share my time with the college, especially beyond official hours.
Assoc. Prof. Bruce Kirenga delivers his acceptance remarks.
Dr.Ā Kirenga, a pulmonologist, researcher, and founding director of the Makerere University Lung Institute, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Makerere leadership and the search committee for entrusting him with the responsibility of steering the college. He noted; āItās a true honour to have been entrusted with this role. The search process was rigorous, but I learned so much from the ideas shared by my colleaguesāit was a truly honourable competition.ā
With a vision for collaboration and growth, Dr. Kirenga outlined his priorities, including improving staffing, improving relationships with teaching hospitals, and addressing infrastructure needs. He emphasized a leadership style rooted in inclusivity and teamwork, saying, āLetās create a common vision through consultation and work together. Iāll visit every unit in the college to hear directly from staff about their challenges, needs, and ideas for moving forward.ā
Dr. Kirenga also shared plans to establish a forum of past leaders to harness their collective wisdom and ensure continuity in leadership.
The Makerere University Non-Communicable Disease (MAK-NCD) Research Training Program is a research capacity building program based at Makerere University College of Health Sciences with collaboration at John Hopkins University and funded by the United States National Institute of Health-Fogarty International Centre (D43TW011401). The overall goal of this training program is to develop a comprehensive mentored research-training program in Uganda that will build local capacity to address the challenges of NCD control and management and promote the use of research findings to inform decision-making and policy.
PhD Fellowship
The PhD fellowship support is for up to three (3) years (full-time), subject to annual performance reviews and progress milestones. Successful scholars will be registered at Makerere University and may undertake sponsored didactic research methods training at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU), USA, to receive additional skills development and mentorship in NCD research. This callĀ is targeting mainly junior researchers with interest in building an independent research career in noncommunicable diseases research with focus on Epidemiology, Data Science and Implementation Science research to strengthen evidence-based interventions, policy and control in Uganda.
Masters Fellowship
MakNCD is pleased to invite applications for Masterās level training in the following disciplines: Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Health monitoring and Evaluation. These training opportunities are intended to build a critical mass of professionals equipped with research, leadership, health systems, and management skills relevant to addressing the growing burden of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries.
Application Deadline: 23rd February 2025; Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is pleased to announce the Certificate Course in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (CWASH) ā 2026.
This intensive and practical short course is designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of professionals involved in the planning, implementation, and management of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services. The programme responds to the growing demand for competent WASH practitioners in local government, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector.
Course Highlights
Duration: 8 weeks (01 June ā 24 July 2026)
Mode: Day programme (classroom-based learning and field attachment)
Fees:
UGX 900,000 (Ugandans / East African Community)
USD 500 (International participants)
Application deadline:Friday, 27 March 2026
Who Should Apply?
Practising officers in the WASH sector
Environmental Health workers seeking Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Applicants with at least UACE (or equivalent) and one year of WASH-related work experience
Attached to this announcement, interested persons will find:
The course flier, providing comprehensive programme details, and
The application form, which should be completed and returned to MakSPH together with the required supporting documents.
For full course details, application procedures, and contact information, please carefully review the attached documents. Eligible and interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline and take advantage of this opportunity to build practical competence in WASH service delivery.
The Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) on Thursday, 8 January 2026 organised a Member Sensitisation Session on “Understanding Identity Shifts; Developing Routines; Sustaining Motivation and Purpose”. The session focused on holistic retirement planning, emphasising that readiness for life after work goes beyond finances to include psychological, emotional, and social well-being across all career stagesāfrom early career to post-retirement.
The session featured a keynote presentation by Professor Seggane Musisi, who highlighted how work-related titles and roles often shape personal identity, and how retirement can trigger a sense of loss if individuals are unprepared to redefine themselves. Members were encouraged to consciously design a post-work identity grounded in values, purpose, and community contribution.
Participants learned practical strategies for:
Preparing early for retirement at different career stages;
Developing healthy, meaningful routines that support mental stability and productivity;
Sustaining motivation and purpose beyond formal employment;
Managing stress, maintaining physical and mental health, and nurturing social connections; and
Balancing family responsibilities with personal well-being.
The discussion also addressed cultural realities of retirement in Uganda, including family expectations, social obligations, and financial pressures. Special attention was given to age-related challenges such as dementia, depression, and chronic illness, underscoring the importance of preventive health care, emotional resilience, and timely professional support.
Overall, the session reinforced the message that retirement is a lifelong transition, not a one-time event. Members were encouraged to plan early, adapt continuously, and intentionally design a fulfilling, purposeful life beyond workāpsychologically, socially, and financially.
To view the session, please click the embedded video below. Further below is the presentation.