- muwrp@muwrp.org
- Plot 42, Nakasero Road, Kampala
Team
Meet the Muwrp Team
Dr. Hannah Kibuuka
Executive Director
Dr. Hannah is a dedicated research scientist and clinician with over 15 years of experience in HIV and Ebola research. She leads major clinical trials, drives scientific innovation, and provides strategic oversight at MUWRP.
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Lead Strategic Scientific
Dr. Hannah provides strategic direction, leadership, and administrative oversight to the Makerere University Walter Reed Project, guiding research teams and major scientific initiatives.
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Drive Vaccine Development & Disease Surveillance
She actively conducts clinical trials for vaccines against HIV, Ebola/Marburg, COVID-19, and Schistosomiasis. Her work also includes surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infections, as well as monitoring antimicrobial resistance to strengthen global and national health systems.
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Advance HIV Cure Innovation Through HOPE Collaboratory
For the past 3 years, she has contributed to HIV cure research using the Block-Lock-Excise (Stop) approach—an innovative strategy that focuses on long-term silencing of latent viral expression and achieving virus control in the absence of therapy.
Dr. Betty Nanzigu Mwesigwa
Deputy Executive Director
Dr. Betty Nanzigu Mwesigwa is the Deputy Executive Director of the Makerere University Walter Reed Program, leading key infectious disease research efforts, including HIV prevention and vaccine development. She is an NIH-funded researcher focused on improving cervical cancer outcomes among women living with HIV.
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Strategic Leadership in Biomedical Research
As Deputy Executive Director, she oversees major infectious disease research initiatives and contributes to strategic decision-making as an ex-officio Board member.
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Regional Impact Through Vaccine & HIV Research
With over 12 years of experience, she leads impactful work in HIV prevention, care, and treatment, and in developing vaccines for HIV, Ebola, Marburg, and Bilharzia.
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NIH-Funded Innovation in Women’s Health
Her NIH-supported research focuses on improving cervical cancer prevention and treatment for women living with HIV in Uganda.
Dr. Fred Magala
Director HIV Care Treatment and Prevention Program
Dr. Fred Magala is a Ugandan public health professional and program leader serving as the Director of the HIV/AIDS Care, Treatment, and Prevention Program at the Makerere University Walter Reed Program (MUWRP).
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Expertise in HIV/AIDS Programming
With extensive experience in HIV programming under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Dr. Magala plays a central role in overseeing large-scale initiatives that deliver HIV prevention, care, and treatment services to communities, including vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. His leadership has contributed to expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, strengthening health systems, and improving community-based interventions across several districts in Uganda.
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Fostering Collaborations for Effective HIV/AIDS Response
Before and during his tenure at MUWRP, Dr. Magala has collaborated with key national and international partners, including the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the Ministry of Health, and global health agencies, to enhance HIV/AIDS programming and policy implementation. His work emphasizes capacity building, strategic planning, and the integration of research with real-world health service delivery.
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Driving Evidence-Based Public Health Interventions
Dr. Magala is recognized for his commitment to advancing evidence-based public health interventions and strengthening Uganda’s response to HIV/AIDS through both research and service delivery platforms
Dr. Proscenia Naluyima Sekiziyivu
Director MUWRP Laboratory
Dr. Proscenia Naluyima Sekiziyivu is a laboratory scientist by training with over 22 years of experience in infectious disease research and laboratory leadership at the Makerere University Walter Reed Program (MUWRP), Uganda.
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Laboratory Leadership and National Outbreak Response
She directs ISO 15189, 17025, and 9001-compliant laboratories, advancing diagnostics and clinical research for HIV, sepsis, COVID-19, viral hemorrhagic fevers, schistosomiasis, and other diseases. She has built capacity among laboratory personnel to safely respond and conduct research in outbreaks of high-consequence pathogens. She also serves on the Uganda National Task Force, contributing to national responses to Sudan Virus (2022, 2025) and Mpox outbreaks, strengthening public health systems and fostering collaboration with the Ministry of Health and international partners.
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Scientific Training, Mentorship and Capacity Development
Her commitment to training is reflected in her role on the advisory committee for the TIGRIS program (Stellenbosch University), which focused on training early and mid-career scientists to conduct research in HIV immunity in mother-infant dyads. She also co-led the USAID-funded BRILLIANT consortium’s Laboratory and Vaccine Program, advancing HIV vaccine research and training early- and mid-career scientists across Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Global Health Security and Biosecurity Leadership
Dr. Naluyima contributes globally to biosecurity diplomacy and health security. She is the principal investigator for a study evaluating adoption and compliance of national biosafety and biosecurity guidelines in public health laboratories in Uganda. Internationally, she has participated in UNODA Biological Weapons Convention meetings, the Global Health Security Agenda, and the Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa.
