Our Secretariat
Dr. Hillary Irimaso
Psychiatrist in Uganda Prison services with special interests in forensic and trauma psychiatry.
Psychiatrist in Uganda Prison services with special interests in forensic and trauma psychiatry. Holder of MSc in Psychiatry and MMED Psychiatry from MakCHS, currently PhD Fellow in Forensic Psychiatry at MakCHS focusing on development of psychometric tools for use within the criminal justice systems in developing countries. Has previously worked in remote and hostile environments as well as war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also has worked with different humanitarian organizations as a flying psychiatrist in different countries. Formerly General Secretary for UPA between 2019 to 2023
Prof. Catherine Abbo
Lecturer, Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala.
Catherine Abbo is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, and Makerere University-Kampala. She trained as a Medical Doctor (MBChB) and later did her Master of Medicine in Psychiatry from Makerere University, Uganda in 1998 and 2003 respectively. She obtained her PhD in Psychiatry from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden in 2009. Her research focus was on mental health and traditional healing practices. She is currently a doing a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from University of Cape Town. She has published several papers in national and international reputable journals.
Dr. Raymond Odokonyero
Psychiatrist, a lecturer at Makerere University, a public speaker and an author
Raymonds is a Ugandan psychiatrist, a lecturer at Makerere University, a public speaker and an author. He hails from the Northern Uganda district of Gulu. A multi-skilled person, Raymond serves as a mental health advocate; a regular writer for Uganda’s leading newspapers; a storyteller; a sportsman; and a Master of Ceremonies. He’s currently a Ph.D. candidate at Makerere University, with research interests in the areas of substance use and HIV, especially among young people. His interests include reading, rugby, travel, bonding with people, and growing both vulnerable indigenous trees of Northern Uganda and rare tropical fruits.
Dr. Kenneth Okware Kalani
Dr. Kenneth Okware Kalani is a Psychiatrist and SMO – Mental Health Division, MOH
Dr. Kenneth Okware Kalani is a Psychiatrist and Senior Medical Officer at the Mental Health Division of Uganda’s Ministry of Health. He is a policy scholar at Uganda Management Institute and a Fellow at the Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Fellowship Program. With over 9 years of experience in mental health care provision and more than 5 years in planning and coordinating mental health services at the national level, Dr. Kalani brings a wealth of expertise to his roles. He serves as the co-chair of the National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Sub-pillar, represents the Ministry of Health on several institutional governing councils, and is actively involved in various research projects and publications.
Dr. Anita Arinda
Dr. Arinda is an Assistant Lecturer and Psychiatrist with the Dept. of Psychiatry MUK
Dr. Arinda is an Assistant Lecturer and Psychiatrist with the Department of Psychiatry at Makerere University and Mulago National Referral Hospital. She holds undergraduate degrees in Medicine and Surgery from Makerere University, where she also completed her specialty training in Psychiatry. Dr. Arinda’s research and clinical interests centre on child and adolescent mental health, particularly neurodevelopmental and trauma-related disorders. She is dedicated to supporting caregivers and families as well helping children with or without mental illness reach their full potential.
Dr. Benedict Akimana
Dr. Benedict Akimana is a psychiatrist and mental health advocate based in Uganda.
Dr. Benedict Akimana is a psychiatrist and mental health advocate based in Uganda. Passionate about improving mental well-being, he is dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and expanding access to quality mental healthcare. With extensive experience, Dr. Akimana is a leading voice in advocating for a supportive environment for individuals with mental illness.
Dr. Claire Kwagala
Dr. Claire Kwagala, a Psychiatrist interested in addiction psychiatry
Dr. Claire Kwagala, a Psychiatrist. She graduated from Makerere University in 2023 with a Masters of Medicine in Psychiatry. Primary research interests lie in the field of addiction psychiatry, with a focus on understanding the neurobiological and psychosocial aspects of addiction and developing innovative treatment strategies for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
Dr. Emmanuel Kiiza Mwesiga
Dr Emmanuel Kiiza Mwesiga is a Psychiatrist and senior Lecturer, Dept. Psychiatry MUK
Dr Emmanuel Kiiza Mwesiga is an executive member of the Uganda Association of Psychiatrists. He is a Psychiatrist and senior lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at Makerere University, Uganda and on the roster of consultants for the Brain Health Unit at the World Health Organization. His clinical research interests are in early intervention psychiatry. In his free time, he is a family man. He also runs Ervevna Consulting Limited, a research firm dedicated to quality research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr. Justine Namuli
Lecturer and Psychiatrist, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
Dr. Namuli is an adolescent Psychiatrist, currently working with Department of Psychiatry Makerere University College of Health Sciences as a Lecturer. She holds a Masters of Medicine degree in psychiatry and an advanced diploma in child and adolescent mental health.
Dr. Hillary Emmanuel Mpamizo
Lecturer, Mental Health Department, Gulu University, northern Uganda
Dr. Emmanuel Mpamizo has a Master’s of Medicine degree in psychiatry, and is a registered medical doctor with 10 years’ experience practicing medicine. During the COVID19 pandemic, he was part of the ministry of health team tasked with providing psychosocial support to health workers and community members affected by the pandemic. His goal is to study and understand how effective psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, peer support and group counselling are in treating anxiety in children and adolescents with HIV.
Dr. Racheal Alinaitwe
Study Coordinator, Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
Dr. Racheal Alinaitwe’s research focuses on detection and referral of depression among adolescents living with HIV at Baylor Children’s clinic in Mulago. She is currently a study coordinator on two research projects in the department of Psychiatry, College of health sciences, Makerere University. Her Masters Thesis was on Prevalence and factors associated with depressive illness among Patients with Tuberculosis in Mulago Hospital’. Racheal is very passionate about mental health and she takes every opportunity to talk about mental health in a bid to reduce stigma and create awareness.
Dr. Nolbert Gumisiriza
Lecturer at Kabale University School of Medicine (KABSOM), Dept. of Psychiatry
Dr. Nolbert holds a PhD (University of Antwerp), Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management (UMI), Master of Medicine – Psychiatry (MAK), and Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MUST). Currently, Dr. Nolbert is a Lecturer at Kabale University School of Medicine (KABSOM), Department of Psychiatry
Dr. Julius Kimera
Dr. Julius Ceasar Kimera is a Psychiatrist working under the Joint staff Health Services.
Dr. Julius Ceasar Kimera is a Psychiatrist working under the Joint staff Health Services- Uganda Peoples Defence Force at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo. Dr. Julius Ceasar Kimera is dedicated to rendering Mental Health and Psycho social support services to the armed forces community and individuals or communities impacted by epidemics or disasters. He is a mental health advocate who is passionate about caring and sensitizing communities about mental health with an aim of empowering individuals to freely seek mental health services.