At Makerere University's 75th graduation ceremony, the School of Public Health presented three doctoral students eligible for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree: Dr. Roselline Achola, Dr. Esther Diana Bayiga Zziwa, and Dr. Lukia Hamid Namaganda. They were among 44 PhD graduands from the College of Health Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, and College of Business and Management Sciences, who graduated during the second session of the ceremony on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. In total, 2,719 students from these three colleges received their degrees.
Dr. Namaganda Lukia Hamid
Dr. Lukia Hamid Namaganda graduated with a PhD in Public Health during Makerere University's 75th graduation ceremony. Until her graduation, she was a PhD fellow on the Cerebral Palsy in Uganda Research Project at the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH).
Armed with a Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Dr. Namaganda previously worked as a Chronic TRIAD Fellow at MakSPH where she had previously earned her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health Science (BEHS). Her research primarily focuses on health disparities among individuals with disabilities, particularly concerning injury-related disabilities, rehabilitation, and community participation.
In her thesis titled "Malnutrition as a Probable Predictor of Mortality in Cerebral Palsy," Dr. Namaganda explored the impact of malnutrition on children with Cerebral Palsy in eastern Uganda. She highlighted the chronic consequences of trauma and injuries, emphasizing how non-fatal outcomes can limit daily activities and social participation.
“My study found that survival probabilities were lower among children with CP who were malnourished compared to those who were not. The risk of death was four times higher among those who were severely malnourished,” she explains.
Dr. Namaganda's work aims to fill critical gaps in data to inform targeted interventions, enhancing the recognition, management, and support for children with Cerebral Palsy within healthcare and nutritional frameworks.
Dr. Roselline Achola
The cheers and applause from family, friends, and peers created an atmosphere of celebration and recognition as Roselline Achola walked to hug her supervisors, parents beaming with a mix of relief and excitement, on January 14, 2024, during Makerere University's 75th graduation ceremony.
She had just been conferred upon a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health by the Chancellor, Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga. Her thesis, titled "Decision Making about Family Planning Use among Refugee and Host Populations in Adjumani District, Uganda," addresses the critical yet often overlooked role of family planning in improving maternal and child health, particularly in humanitarian contexts.
Dr. Achola's research was conducted in Adjumani district, in the West Nile region, which hosts the highest number of refugee settlements (18) in the country, accommodating around 203,671 refugees.
The major highlight of her research was the low uptake of family planning methods in Adjumani, where only about one-third of the population utilizes modern contraceptives. She explored decision-making processes at individual, family, community, and institutional levels, identifying key factors influencing family planning use.
Her findings show that fear of harassment from family members and concerns about side effects deter many from using contraceptives, while motivations include limiting family size and financial constraints.
To enhance family planning uptake, Dr. Achola recommends community outreach strategies to raise awareness about its benefits and promote couple counseling. Her study, co-funded by the SET-SRHR project and the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund, was conducted in the Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences.
With a Master's degree in Public Health and a Bachelor's degree both from Makerere University, Dr. Achola currently serves as a technical specialist in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and self-care/family planning at the Ministry of Health, a position she has held since March 2023.
Dr. Esther Diana Bayiga Zziwa
Dr. Esther Bayiga Diana Zziwa’s doctoral research addressed a crucial issue: pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Kampala City, focusing on how land use, transport, and socioeconomic factors contribute to road safety challenges. With nearly 10 years of experience in road safety research, she is well-positioned to influence policies that enhance safety for both pedestrians and motorcyclists in urban environments.
Her analysis of pedestrian crashes over the past five years revealed alarming statistics: 4,746 incidents were reported, with 699 (14.7%) resulting in fatalities and 4,047 (87.3%) classified as serious injuries. The average pedestrian death rate was 156.3 per 100,000 people, while serious injuries averaged 1,983.7 per 100,000.
Dr. Bayiga identified 46 locations as "black spots," where at least 10 serious or fatal crashes occurred. Notably, 48% of these incidents happened at junctions, particularly those with traffic lights, and 74% were near commercial areas that attract pedestrian traffic.
The study pointed out important disparities, with some areas, like Makerere University, reporting zero deaths, while others, such as the Industrial Area, saw rates as high as 1,783 per 100,000.
Her findings stress a critical aspect of urban planning: the need to prioritize pedestrian activities. Esther believes that roads should serve more than just vehicles; they should be vibrant spaces that support shopping, socializing, and community interaction. By designing streets with people in mind, we can create environments where communities thrive and residents feel safe and connected.
Dr. Bayiga urges the Ministry of Works and Transport and local authorities to take bold steps in designing roads that prioritize pedestrian safety. She notes that by incorporating walkways and creating safe spaces in busy areas, Uganda will be able to foster environments where people feel secure while navigating their communities.
To us, her work is a humble reminder of the importance of carefully planned urban centres, cities, and towns that consider the needs of all road users, eventually making cities safer and more welcoming for everyone.
Congratulations!
Davidson Ndyabahika
