Top scientist dies in accident

By Innocent Anguyo, Simon Masaba and Violet Nabatanzi

ENOCH Ezati, a renowned behavioural scientist is one the seven people who died when two speeding buses plying the Kampala-Arua route, collided at Wabigalo in Nakasongola on the Gulu-Kampala highway.

trueBehavioural science is the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behaviour through controlled and naturalistic observation, and disciplined scientific experimentation.

The discipline attempts to accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through rigorous formulations and observation. Examples of behavioural sciences include psychology, psychobiology, and cognitive science.

An expert on welfare of HIV patients, Ezati worked at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for slightly over a decade. Betty Kagoro, the spokesperson of CDC said Ezati worked in the Behavioural Unit as a Senior Behavioural Scientist from 2002 to March 2013.

During his ten years at CDC, Ezati also served as a staff representative on the Foreign Service Nationals (FSN) Council for two years.

Kagoro described Ezati as a respectful and down to earth person. 

“Enock was humble and soft-spoken. He was a dedicated and committed employee. In addition to Lugbara and English, he spoke Kiswahili, Luganda, Luo and Madi. He loved reading newspapers and listening to BBC news. He also loved farming and planned to retire to farming,” Kagoro said in a statement to New Vision.

Born 49 years ago in Arua district, Ezati’s educational background is in Sociology, Demography and Health management. He holds two Masters Degrees in behavior based disciplines. He has published widely, both locally and internationally.

In 2009 Ezati co-authored a paper exploring the social contexts that influence the formation and nature of sexual partnerships among people on anti-retroviral therapy (ART).

In 2007, he co-authored another paper on how to improve the welfare of people on ART by not only provision of medicine but also economic and social support for rebuilding lives and livelihoods.

In another paper widely quoted in academic cycles, Ezati and other scientist identified ways to improve prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV by conducting a cross-sectional study of 1,092 HIV-infected men and in Jinja.

He is survived by a widow and children. Burial arrangements are yet to be communicated to the press.

Meanwhile, the death toll resultant of the accident yesterday reached eight, after Halimah Ashil passed at Mulago National Referral Hospital where she was receiving treatment.

Police identified others who died as a result of the accident as Deborah Ajikia, Faustine Ezuruku, Samuel Amalah, Alex Okello and Sister Maria Goretti. The eighth was yet to be identified by press time.

The injured included Peter Ayivuwa, Sarah Namara, Apollo Andema, Ninah Andiru, Gasto Enzama, Nancy Andu, Lydia Kawenda, Mohammed Asiduru, Emmanuel Watibini, Keefo Kanikani, Siraje Matovu, Marsal Ayubu, Collin Manawe, Aliou D, and Opyeyi K. the other injured could not be identified.