On Monday, 22nd January 2018, the Department of Disease Control and Environmental (DCEH) witnessed a leadership transition when Dr. John C. Ssempebwa, the outgoing Chair of the Department handed over office to Dr. Esther Buregyeya, the incoming Chair.
The Occasion which was officiated by the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health (MaKSPH), Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, was graced by officials from the College of Health Sciences including the Human Resource Officer, Ms. Racheal Ikiriza, who also represented the Principal, and Mr. Abraham Matovu, the Human Resource Administrator. Also in attendance was the Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at MaKSPH, Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye; the Manager, Finance Management Unit, Ms. Elizabeth Nambi; the School Administrator, Ms. Jennifer Muheesi; the MaKSPH Internal Auditor, Mr. Amos Dembe Asaba and members of the DCEH department.
In his remarks, Dr. Ssempebwa thanked members of the DCEH department for the support they rendered him as Chair, and for demonstrating teamwork in pursuit of the success of the department, School and College at large. He noted that during his tenure, there had been many achievements including career growth of young members and improved teaching and research outputs. He congratulated Dr. Buregyeya upon her new appointment and wished her a successful tenure of office.
The incoming Chair, Dr. Buregyeya thanked the DCEH members for entrusting her with the new responsibility and pledged to work tooth and nail to take the department to a new level. She noted the comparative advantage that the department has in terms of the biggest number of professors and at the same time a huge pool of young members which she said would be positively harnessed. She further noted the need to increase staffing and expertise within the department, start new programmes and short courses, improve research outputs and grow collaborations, and invest in mentorship especially for young faculty.
The Dean congratulated the Department upon the successful transition and having a new Chair. She indicated that she was very passionate about DCEH not just because it is her department but also because it forms the foundation of Public Health and thus implored the department to ensure that this is felt and realized at the School. She thanked Dr. Ssempebwa for the good service rendered as Chair and encouraged him together with the DCEH members to fully support Dr. Buregyeya in her new role because ‘her success was their success’.
