Biography
Prior to joining University of Cambridge, I first graduated with a degree of Environmental Health Science from Makerere University, Kampala in February 2017 and later I joined Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Uganda) for Masters of Public Health. During COVID-19 pandemic, I joined Pathogen Economy Bureau at Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat - office of the President where I currently serve as a Senior Epidemiologist. I also support research and teaching at Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health (Uganda). After my master’s research, I was competitively selected among the 13 inaugural fellows at Centre of Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA) at University of Nairobi (Kenya) where I undertook specific interest in Mathematical Modelling of Rift Valley fever disease, a project I have proceeded with for my PhD studies under the guidance of Dr Andrew Conlan in the Department of Veterinary Medicine.
Research
My research interest is in infectious diseases Epidemiology specifically arboviral diseases where I aim at using statistical data to strengthen one health control strategies of diseases at human-animal interface. My current work has inspired me to pay special attention to innovative surveillance systems that can be scaled up in low-resource settings. My master’s degree dissertation was Measles outbreak investigation in Kasese district, Western Uganda under the supervision of Prof. Edgar Mugema Mulogo (Mbarara University of Science and Technology) and Dr Ross Mathew Boyce (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).
Publications
Longbottom, J., Walekhwa, A.W., Mwingira, V., Kijanga, O., Mramba, F. and Lord, J.S., 2023. Aedes albopictus invasion across Africa: the time is now for cross-country collaboration and control. The Lancet Global Health.
Walekhwa, A.W., Ntaro, M., Kawungezi, P.C., Achangwa, C., Muhindo, R., Baguma, E., Matte, M., Migisha, R., Reyes, R., Thompson, P. and Boyce, R.M., 2021. Measles outbreak in Western Uganda: a case-control study. BMC infectious diseases, 21(1), pp.1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06213-5
Walekhwa, A.W., Musoke, D., Nalugya, A., Biribawa, C., Nsereko, G., Wafula, S.T., Nakazibwe, B., Nantongo, M., Odera, D.A., Chiara, A. and Boyce, R.M., 2022. Gaps in measles vaccination coverage in Kasese district, Western Uganda: results of a qualitative evaluation. BMC infectious diseases, 22(1), pp.1-9.
Walekhwa, A.W., Ntaro, M., Kawungezi, P., Nimusiima, E., Achangwa, C., Musoke, D. and Mulogo, E.M., 2022. Water quality of improved water sources and associated factors in Kibuku District, Eastern Uganda. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 8(2), pp.1-13.
Walekhwa, A.W., Nakazibwe, B., Nantongo, M., Wafula, S.T., Bulafu, D., Ayugi, B., Nankabirwa, C., Nsereko, G., Nalweyiso, M.D., Tindyebwa, T. and Mayega, R.W., 2022. Drivers of the Second Wave and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases in Uganda: A Retrospective Study of Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases, March-June, 2021.
Mutawulira, I., Nakachwa, J., Muharabu, L., Walekhwa, A.W. and Kayina, V., 2022. Exploring infant feeding practices and associated factors among HIV-positive mothers attending early infant diagnosis clinic in Northern Uganda. Epidemiology & Infection, 150.
Teaching and Supervisions
Makerere University School of Public Health; Module; One health approach and field experiences
Betty Lunyolo, 2023 (Bachelors-Makerere University); Project: Factors associated with persistent poor solid waste management in industrial Division, Mbale City, Uganda
Denise Nabasirye, 2022 (Bachelors- Makerere University); Project: COVID-19 vaccination uptake among University community in Kampala, Uganda.
Noe Nasolo, 2021 (Bachelors- Makerere University); Project: Hand washing coverage and practices in Health Care Facilities in central Uganda
Other Professional Activities
EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS
Dr. Jennifer Lord and Dr Joshua Longbottom. Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/about/people/dr-jennifer-lord
Dr Lawrence Mugisha. Department of Wildlife and Animal Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University https://www.drumconsortium.org/dr-lawrence-mugisha
Dr Ross Mathew Boyce, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA https://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/infdis/directory/ross-boyce-md-msc/
Dr David Musoke, Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Makerere University School of Public Health https://sph.mak.ac.ug/about-us/personnel/dr-david-musoke
