By Okeya John
As Makerere University celebrates its 75th graduation ceremony starting January 13, 2025, Bridget Nagawa Tamale shines as a symbol of success. With an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.88, she tops her class in the School of Public Health's flagship program, the Masters in Public Health (MPH) Schools Without Walls full-time program, testament to her dedication to advancing public health in Uganda and beyond.
Born to Mr. Tom Fredrick Tamale and Ms. Lillian Nakanwagi in Nabulagala village, Rubaga Division, Kampala, Bridget's academic journey began at Bright Future Primary School, where her academic potential first emerged. She would later attend Lubiri Secondary School, where she chose Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and ICT for her A-Levels. During this time, she embraced leadership roles as a class councillor and Head Girl, experiences that shaped her outlook and sense of responsibility today.
Fast forward to 2016: Bridget enrolled at Makerere University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health Science, the sole undergraduate program at the School of Public Health. During her studies, she served as Class Coordinator and Academic Secretary for the Makerere University Environmental Health Students’ Association (MUEHSA). She graduated in 2020 with a CGPA of 4.06.
Driven by her passion for public health, Bridget enrolled in the flagship Master of Public Health program in 2022. As Class Coordinator for her cohort, she honed her leadership and teamwork skills under the guidance of esteemed faculty members, including Mr. Tonny Ssekamatte, Dr. John Bosco Isunju, and Dr. Richard Mugambe. These experiences paved the way for her to assume roles such as Research Assistant, Project Coordinator, Co-Investigator, and ultimately, Principal Investigator. As she graduates today, Bridget distinguishes herself as a young leader who has already secured research grants, collaborated with diverse teams, and is making significant contributions to meaningful research.
During her 2018 internship at Nansana Municipality, Bridget faced the harsh realities of poor sanitation and limited healthcare access. This experience was a turning point for her, igniting a deep passion to bridge the gap between research and action. Motivated by the challenges she witnessed, she has since dedicated herself to developing practical solutions that lead to measurable improvements in public health systems.
“It feels incredible to be recognised for the work I put in. It hasn’t always been easy, but I stayed focused, managed my time well, and leaned into my passion for learning. I made it a point to never take any assignment for granted; I dedicated time to ensure my work was thorough and presented in a way that deserved attention.” Bridget notes with great emotion.
Bridget’s academic journey was not without its challenges. As a full-time student commuting from Busukuma in Wakiso District to attend classes at MakSPH in Mulago, she faced a demanding schedule while balancing personal commitments. However, her organizational skills, ability to break tasks into manageable pieces, and a strong support network kept her on track. Her study group, “Let’s Ace MPH,” became a great source of both academic and emotional support. The study group featured, among others, late-night virtual discussions that strengthened not only her bonds with her classmates but her clear grasp of key concepts with minimal interruptions.
“The toughest part of this journey for me was balancing everything: classes, work, leadership roles, and personal life. I had to travel long distances to get to school, and sometimes I came home too exhausted to do anything else. The costs of travel were also overwhelming at times, which added to the challenge. There were moments when it all felt like too much, but I learned to stay calm, focused, and organized. This helped me,” she shares.
The supportive academic environment at MakSPH truly shaped Bridget’s journey. She feels deeply grateful for the faculty and mentors, especially Dr. Christine Nalwadda Kayemba and Ms. Christine Muhumuza, whose guidance made a real difference in her experience. Bridget also cherishes her classmates, who formed a tight-knit community that made her studies more enjoyable and fulfilling.
In fact, one of Bridget's most rewarding experiences was her 2023 field placement at the National Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC). It was here that she deeply engaged with the real-world challenges of public health, acquiring valuable competencies and skills in detecting, preventing, and responding to emerging issues. This hands-on experience further fueled her passion for making a difference in the field.
While she was able to publish several papers, she was proud to co-author her first paper as the lead author in 2024, entitled: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among desludging operators in Uganda, as she made a contribution to the public health field. During her study, Bridget was also part of The Stroke Program of The Makerere University College of Health Sciences, which funded her master's dissertation titled "Prevalence and Factors Associated with Stroke Among Older Patients with Hypertension Attending Public Healthcare Facilities in Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda."
She was able to secure an early career research grant of 5000 pounds funded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene for the study project titled: Opportunities, barriers, and facilitators of uptake of trachoma prevention and treatment services in Eastern Uganda, where she was a co-investigator.
In August 2024, as Bridget was wrapping up her master’s program, she experienced the joy of welcoming her firstborn, baby Wells, just two months before defending her dissertation. This beautiful milestone added a special layer of meaning to her accomplishments.
On this special occasion of the #Mak75thGrad, we celebrate Bridget—a committed student, loving mother, and a researcher to watch. Her passion for public health, especially on the effects of climate change on health systems and healthcare inequalities, drives her forward. For Bridget, this is just the beginning. With aspirations to pursue a PhD, she hopes to create evidence-based solutions that improve healthcare delivery and promote equity in health systems, both in Uganda and around the world.
