Presently Prof. Paul Waako is the Vice-Chancellor of Busitema University. Prior to the Vice-Chancellor appointment, Prof. Waako served as Founder Dean of Busitema University Faculty of Health sciences. This position involved establishing the Faculty of Health Sciences which included Curriculum development, Resource mobilization, Advocacy with internal and external stakeholders, and Academic, Financial, and General administration of the Faculty.
Over the past five years, Prof. Waako has presided over the evolution of a Faculty to the present staffing level of Fifty-six (56) with six accredited (6) academic programs and a student population of 500. The school has 19 satellite training sites that serve as community outreach Platforms. The faculty has attracted international funding in form of scholarships and secondment experts and research grants.
Before his Deanship position at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Waako was Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Makerere University for nine (9) years. This position involved managing a team of at least 30 staff and directing their efforts toward the key University functions of training, research, and service to the community. He was directly responsible for the Academic programs, administration, and financial aspects of the department including budget preparation, implementation, risk mitigation, and cost control.
He was also responsible for the Department's research and Outreach portfolio which included resource mobilization. His tenure as departmental chair gave him the opportunity to direct the activities of the Makerere University Medicines Information Centre which was established with support from the Swedish International agency to give free information on the use of medicines. The major competencies developed include team building, teamwork, strategic planning and implementation, resource mobilization, advocacy, and report writing.
His level of integrity and honesty helped him to serve as a member of many expert committees both National and International including among others being appointed by the Makerere Senate at its 146th meeting held on 23rd November 2012 to the Search Committee for Principals and Deputy Principals for science-based colleges.
Prof. Waako possesses excellent analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills demonstrated through various research publications both as a lead and co-researcher. He has published extensively in the areas of traditional medicines, drug discovery and development, rational use of medicines, and medicine supply systems.
He has served as a consultant to several USAID-supported programs and Visiting professor and external examiner at several Universities. He has over 50 publications in peer-reviewed Journals and supervised a number of research projects in addition to being a reviewer of many international Journals.
He is a Senior Research Fellow at Queen Mary University London and a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences. He possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills having raised through the ranks from a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Associate Professor to Professor, supervising Ph.D. students as the main as well as external examiner both nationally and internationally in addition to the respective administration roles. He has delivered presentations and papers at national and international foras on various topics.
Membership to Professional Bodies and Associations
- Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS), 2017
- Member of The Uganda Pharmacological society, 2015
- Chairman for the committee on the continued professional development of the Uganda Medical Association, 2006
- Member of the Research Initiative for Traditional Antimalarial Methods (RITAM), 2003
- Member of the African Society on Drug development and metabolism, 2002
- Member and Coordinator of the International Network for Rational Use of Drugs-Uganda chapter (INRUD): A multidisciplinary network that focuses on improving Use of Medicines, 1997
Principal Investigator for the project: Traditional herbal anti-malarials: isolation and characterization of therapeutic compounds from plants in the Lake Victoria basin wetlands: Supported by the Vicres Project of the Inter-University Council for East Africa. 2004-2006. USD 30.000
Coordinator of the Clinical Pharmacology sub-program under SIDA/SAREC support to Makerere University A capacity development program Supported by SIDA 2004-2012). Part of the general SIDA support to Makerere University. Clinical Pharmacology sub program had USD 100.000 per year
Coordinator of the International Network for Rational Use of drugs-Uganda Chapter. A Global movement that works to improve the use of medicines. The annual budget was USD.40,000
2006-2010: Country Coordinator of The International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs Initiative on Adherence to Antiretrovirals’s (INRUD-IAA). This project was funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the United states agency for international development and covered five; Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The
total project Value was USD 3M
2005-2007: Director of The Regional Technical Resource Center for Pharmaceutical Management (RTRC). This center was established at Makerere University to help address the problem of skills shortage in pharmaceutical management in East Africa. The center was funded by USAID supported Rational Pharmaceutical Management Plus (RPM Plus) Program of Management Sciences for Health (MSH) to the level of USD 200,000.
2007-2013 Country Co-principal Investigator for the Access to medicines in Africa and Asia (AMASA) project. A collaborative project of Universities in Europe, Africa and Asia- funded by the European Union Frame work program 7 Project Value for Makerere University was Euros-240,000. Total Funding was Euros 1.5 M
2009-2010; Makerere University lead person on the strengthening pharmaceutical systems project (SPS). (A USAID- funded project that closed in Uganda in 2010). Project value for Makerere was USD 100,000.
2010 to September 2013: Makerere University Lead person on activities of the Securing Ugandan’s Right to Essential Medicines (SURE). The grant was was awarded the Management sciences for Health and Makerere University. A USAID funded project to which Makerere is an implementing partner 2010 to 2014. Project value for Makerere University was UGX 800M. Total Grant was USD 25M
2012-2016 Coordinator of MEPI-MESAU at Busitema University an, NIH/PEPFAR funded project; 2012 to 2016. The total project value for Busitema University was USD 320,000.
2012 to 2014: Principal Investigator for Moxa Clinical trial : This is collaborative study between Makerere University and Moxa Africa United Kingdom to document the efficacy and safety of the use of adjunctive moxibustion in the treatment of Tuberculosis. Project value is USD 100,000.
Coordinator of Survival-Plus; a NORHERD supported project 2013-2018. The collaborating partners are : University of Bergen, Norway / University of Juba, South Sudan / Gulu University, Uganda / Busitema University, Uganda / Makerere University, Uganda The total project value was USD 3 M of which USD 200,000 was for Busitema University
2014 to present day; Coordinator of the Busitema University -Seed Global Health Collaboration. Through this collaboration Seed global health has supported Busitema University in training doctors and nurses; providing visiting faculty to train students and mentor local faculty, 2008: Consultant to USAID Namibia on feasibility of Network between University of Namibia and the Namibia Ministry of Health and private sector to strengthen use and management of medicines.
2009: Consultant to the Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems program (SPS) of the USAID, on development of National Standard Treatment Guidelines for Namibia.
2010 Associate consultant to ICONAFRICA a consultancy firm focusing on Building a monitoring and Evaluation framework for the USAID supported STAR-E program.
Publications in Peer reviewed Journals
- Paul J. Waako , Rebecca N. Nsubuga , Peregrine Sebulime , John R.S. Tabuti: Practiceand prospects of indigenous homestead based approaches in prevention of malaria; a casestudy of a high malaria transmission area in Uganda. Scientific Research and essays Dec.2010.
- Waako PJ, Odoi-Adome R, Obua C, Owino E, Tumwikirize W, Ogwal-Okeng J, AnokbonggoWW, Matowe L, Aupont O; Existing capacity to manage pharmaceuticals and related commodities in East Africa: an assessment with specific reference to antiretroviral therapy. Hu-man Resources for Health 2009, 7:21 (9 March 2009)
- Ogwang P. Engeu1, Tumusiime Ralph, Agwaya Moses, Mugisha Gerosome, Grace Nambatya Kyeyune, Galiwango Badru and Waako Paul: Repeat-dose effects of Zanthoxylum chaly-beum root bark extract: A traditional medicinal plant used for various diseases in Uganda.
- African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Vol. 2.(6). pp. 101-105, 2008).Waako PJ. ,Ogwal-Okeng J., Kiguba R, Ross-Degnan D. , Aupont. O: Immediate responsesby private and public hospitals to national malaria treatment policy change pronouncements inUganda. International Journal of Tropical Medicine. 5 (1) 1-5, 2010.
- John Odda, Sibylle Kristensen, John Kabasa & Paul Waako;. Larvicidal activity of Combretum collinum Fresen against Aedesaegypti. J Vector Borne Dis 45, December 2008, pp. 321–324 .
- Catherine Abbo, Elialilia Okello, Solvig Ekblad, Paul Waako, Seggane Musisi. Lay concepts ofpsychosis in Busoga, Eastern Uganda: A pilot study . World cultural Psychiatry research Review. July 2008.
- Lloyd Matowe, Paul Waako, Richard Odoi Adome, Isaac Kibwage, Omary Minzi and Emile Bienvenu. A strategy to improve skills in pharmaceutical supply management in East Africa: the regional technical resource collaboration for pharmaceutical management. Human Re sources for Health 2008, 6:30 (23 December 2008).
- Catherine Abbo, Solvig Ekblad Paul Waako, Elialilia Okello, Wilson Muhwezi and Seggane Musisi: Psychological distress and associated factors among the attendees of traditional healing practices in Jinja and Iganga districts, Eastern Uganda: a crosssectional study. International Journal of Mental Health Systems. 2008, 2:16 doi:10.1186/1752-4458-2-16 Chalker J, Andualem T, Minzi O, Ntaganira J, Ojoo A, ;Waako P, Ross-Degnan D. Monitoring adherence and defaulting for antiretroviral therapy in 5 East african countries: an urgent needfor standards. J. Int. Assoc Physicians AIDS Care (Chic Ill). 2008 Jul-Aug;7(4):193-9. Epub 2008 Jul 14.
- C Kirimuhuzya, P Waako, M Joloba, O Odyek :The anti-mycobacterial activity of Lantana ca-mara a plant traditionally used to treat symptoms of tuberculosis in South-western Uganda.African Health Sciences Vol. 9 (1) 2009: pp. 40-45.
- B. Gumede , PJ. Waako , PI. Folb B. Ryffel.: Modulation of IFN-♈, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-12production by artesunate in mitogen treated splenocytes. International Journal of Tropical Medicine 4(2) 65-69 2009Chalker J, Andualem T, Minzi O, Hailu Taged, Lillian Gitau , Ntaganira J, Celestino Obua, Waako P, Developing standard Methods to monitor adherence to antiretroviral medicines
Book Authorship
- Kare Arnstein Lye, Remigius Bukenya-Ziraba, John R. S, Tabuti and Paul Waako: Plant-medicinal Dictionary for East Africa. . ISSN 1727-5768, ISBN 9970-843-00-2-Published in 2009
- Waako, P., Smith, P. Folb, P. (2002): Ethnobotanical Approach: a reliable method of investigating traditional antimalarial plants. Paper presented to the International Conference of the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria. Arusha, Tanzania, November 2002.
- Waako, P. ‘The search for antimalarial drug candidates from traditional medicines’ Paper read to Delegates of the Fulbright commission, Cape Town, South Africa. 7 October 2002
- Paul Waako, Bonginkosi Gumede, Denise Saravanakumar, and Sindiswa Luwaca, Peter Folb (2003): Development of novel remedies from traditional medicinal plants: experience of the South African Traditional Medicines Research Unit ‘Paper read at the East and Southern Africa regional meeting on traditional Medicines and HIV/AIDS, Kampala, Uganda 15 May 2003.
- Waako, P.(2003) ‘Development of African traditional medicines: Present Challenges and possible solutions.’ Paper presented to participants at the International conference on traditional Medicines, Mukono, Uganda. November 2003.
- Waako, P. (2003) ‘Drug discovery and the Gene’ Paper presented to participants of the International Course on Genes and genomes, Makerere University (November 2003).
- Musoke. D, Obua C. Waako P. Assessment of the drug storage facilities and Quality of generic co-formulation tablets (stavudine, lamivudine, Niverapine) at HIV treatment centre in Uganda. Paper presented to the World Pharmacology Congress, Beijing, China (August 2006)
- Waako P, Musoba N, Apio s. Runumi F : Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Uganda; strength, challenges and opportunities. Paper presented at the faculty of Medicine Annual Scientific Conference November 2005.
- Waako P Advances in research on traditional Medicines in Uganda: Paper presented at the Natural product workshop at metripole Hotel Kampala, Uganda, 16 April 2010.
- Waako P. Concurrent use of antimalarial drugs with traditional medicinal preparations might affect treatment outcomes Paper presented to The IXth World Conference on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics July 27 – August 1, 2008 Québec City Convention Centre, Québec City, Canada
- Convener of The first Ugandan National conference on Antimicrobial Resistance. The Conference under the Theme; “Promoting Best Antimicrobial Practice in Uganda,” was held in Mbale, Eastern District, on 21-22 November 2016,
- Convener of National AIDS conference organized by Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) in Partnership with Busitema University. Theme: “Getting to Zero with evidence 18 -19th June 2015. Mbale Uganda
Academic Appointments
- Member of the College of Health sciences, Higher Degrees Committee (2007 to 2012)
- Member of the Faculty of medicine Education Committee 2007 to 2013.
- Chairman Affiliation Committee of the Faculty of Medicine; This committee was established by the Faculty Board after a request from the Ministry of Education to Affiliate all Diploma Training Institutions to Makerere University. The committee was later disbanded when the Ministry of Education established the Uganda Allied Health professions Examination Board.
- Chairman Makerere University School of Biomedical Sciences Education committee; The committee had a task to develop new programs at the newly formed school. During my time the following programs were developed and accredited; Bachelor of Biomedical sciences,
- Bachelor of Cytotechnology, and Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering. All the programs were accredited and are running to date.
- Member of the Gulu University Bachelor of Pharmacy development Taskforce.
- Member of the Mbarara university of science and Technology task force for the Development of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical sceinces Degree program
- Chairman Makerere University College of Health Sceinces Taskforce to evaluate the application of the School of Public Health for conversion into a college of public health.
- Member of the seven-man World Health Organization (WHO) - International Union of Basic and Clinical pharmacology (IUPHAR) joint task force for developing Clinical Pharmacology in Africa.
- Member of the Faculty of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee
- Member of the task force for the establishment of Kabale University Medical school
- 2010: Appointed Visiting Associate Professor Mbarara University of Science and Technology
- 2012: Appointed Visiting Senior Research Fellow Queen Mary University, London
- Internal Examiner to a number of Masters Degree dissertations at Makerere, University.
- Member of Academic programs and Library sub-committee of the College Board, College of Health sciences.
- External examiner Mbarara University of science and Technology, Mbarara Uganda, 2007-2009
Awards and Recognition
1996-7: Awarded the In –country Germany Academic Exchange fellowship (DAAD) to pursue a masters degree in Pharmacology at Makerere University.
2002-3 International scholars Meritorious Research Award, University of Cape Town, South Africa. This is an award given to outstanding international students at the University of Cape Town.
2006: Presidential Recognition for contribution to research in Biomedical Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
2010: Appointed Visiting Associate Professor Mbarara University of Science and Technology
2012: Appointed Visiting Senior Research Fellow Queen Mary University, London
2016: Admitted as Fellow of Uganda National Academy of Sciences (FUNAS)
Pharmacology, Traditional medicines, Drug discovery, and development, Rational use of medicines, and Medicine supply systems