Fourteen epidemiologists on Friday graduated under the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program in Advanced Field Epidemiology.

The graduation ceremony was the 7th cohort and was presided over by the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH) at Muyonyo Speke Resort Hotel.

One of the graduates captured receiving a present at the graduation ceremony held at Muyonyo Speke Resort Hotel. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Alex Ario, UNIPH director, said that the 14 fellows completed their deliverables at a 100% success rate.

Ario said the 14 epidemiologists add to the capacity of the country regarding detection and response to disease outbreaks.

Stella Mugamba receving a certificate from Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, Country Representative of the World Health Organisation. Standing besides Mugamba is US Ambassador, Natalie Brown. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

He argued the fellows to keep the energy and remain self-driven so that they can innovate more solutions that impact communities.

According to Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), the country needs more epidemiological capacity to be able to sustainably respond to outbreaks.

Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) addressing the graduates. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

“Don’t let money drive you. Be driven by need and the solutions that society desires,” she advised the fellows.

Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, Country Representative of the World Health Organisation asked the fellows to continue learning and more than else, rely on facts.

Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, Country Representative of the World Health Organisation addressing the graduates. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

“Aspire to be active partners in global health because public health is a global problem, and you can learn a lot from other fellows elsewhere,” Yonas advised.

According to Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Uganda needs one Epidemiologist per 200,000 people.

Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health addressing the graduates. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

However, he says the number of epidemiologists is still small. 

He said the challenge he sees in Uganda is that "there are no sensitive systems to detect outbreaks before they enter the country."

If there was one, he said the country would have detected an Ebola outbreak before it entered the country.

Sherry Ahirirwe receving her certifcate from US Ambassador, Natalie Brown, as Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, Country Representative of the World Health Organisation looks on. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Excited Shaban Senyange receives her certifcate from US Ambassador, Natalie Brown. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

He added that no nation was immune to epidemics and thus the need to train more epidemiologists.

According to Dr Amy Boore, the director of the Division of Global Health Protection in Uganda, more needs to be done regarding building the capacity of the country in terms of detecting and responding to disease outbreaks.

Dr Amy Boore, the director of the Division of Global Health Protection in Uganda addressing the graduates. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

“Diseases know no borders, so capacity building is very critical for a response-ready system. Epidemiologists contribute immensely to disease detection and control by conducting outbreak investigations,” she said.

According to Dr Ario, the Government needs to come in and fund the program for it to be sustainable. “We still need more epidemiologists,” he said.

Overall best student Patience Mwine overwhelmed with excitement as she gets applauses from fellow graduates and guests. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Overall best student Patience Mwine receiving a plaque from Ambassador Natalie Brown for her exceptional performance. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

H.E Natalie Brown, US Ambassador to Uganda said the success of the epidemiology program will benefit the country by strengthening its health system.

She said epidemiologists are very instrumental in analyzing public health surveillance data and in evaluating public health surveillance systems.

H.E Natalie Brown, US Ambassador to Uganda ddressing the graduates. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

“She said that the last three years of Covid-19 interspersed with the Ebola outbreak have witnessed the value of having frontline responders deployed within short notice in the Ministry of Health.

“Fellows have generated valuable information which shall be used to streamline detection and response of future outbreaks in the country,” she said.

According to Dr Henry G. Mwebesa, the director general of health services at the health ministry, the program has produced over 225 manuscripts, the majority of which have been submitted to reputable peer-reviewed Journals.

Of the 225 manuscripts, he says 93 have been published, while the rest are still undergoing peer review at various levels.