Makerere University | Uganda
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DR. EDDIE M. WAMPANDE: A VISIONARY IN INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND VETERINARY SCIENCE
EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Dr. Eddie M. Wampande began his academic journey with a scholarship awarded by the Government of Uganda to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine (BVM) at Makerere University from 1993 to 1998. Driven by a strong passion for infectious diseases and parasitology, he advanced to complete a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology (Parasitology) at the same university with a WHO/TDR scholarship. His academic accomplishments culminated in a Ph.D. in Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, with a focus on the phenotypes and microevolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, supported by the Tuberculosis Research Unit (TBRU), Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.
PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Dr. Wampande’s professional journey has been deeply intertwined with Makerere University. He began as a Research Assistant (2000–2002) in the Molecular Biology Laboratory and gradually progressed to Research Associate (2002–2005) and later Senior Lecturer (2005 to date). In 2012, he joined the University of Basel’s Swiss Tropical Institute and Public Health as a Research Fellow, and since 2014, he has been serving as the Director of the Central Diagnostic Laboratory. His commitment to capacity building is evident in his leadership of diagnostic and research programs, reflecting strong administrative and technical expertise.
Dr. Wampande's primary research focus is on the molecular epidemiology of infectious pathogens of both economic and public health significance, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, African Swine Fever Virus, Trypanosoma brucei, and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. He has supervised 15 MSc students to completion, covering diverse research areas including tuberculosis genotyping, HIV diagnosis, zoonotic transmission, and antibiotic resistance. His Ph.D. mentorship includes completed theses and ongoing research projects related to TB-HIV co-infections and antimicrobial resistance dynamics in poultry farms. He has also served as external examiner for Ph.D. theses from other countries, evidencing his continental influence.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
Dr. Wampande has been instrumental in multiple resource mobilization efforts, securing national and international grants totaling over USD 1.3 million, supporting projects ranging from vector-borne diseases to molecular diagnostics and zoonotic infections. He led the “Stamp Out Sleeping Sickness” initiative in Eastern Uganda (2010–2015) and coordinated large-scale field surveys such as the serological bovine tuberculosis survey in Karamoja (2022) and control programs targeting tick and bacterial resistance (2015–2019). His work has directly impacted national policy on disease surveillance, diagnostics, and animal-human health interface management.
ACADEMIC CITES
His scholarly work and technical reviews have earned him appointments such as Reviewer for the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (2015–2017) and BMC Infectious Diseases (2017–2020). He is a member of several key scientific bodies, including the Genome Analysis Working Group and Microbiome Working Group under H3Africa, a continent-wide initiative promoting genomic research. His contributions to genome bioinformatics were further recognized by a three-month fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine, USA, funded by the MRC/UVRI Infection and Immunity Program.
LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. Wampande’s legacy lies in his consistent dedication to training the next generation of African scientists, advancing research infrastructure, and deepening our understanding of infectious disease epidemiology. His participation in global initiatives like the THRiVE Program (Welcome Trust, UK) and Cambridge Africa’s Alborado Research Scheme underlines his commitment to collaborative science. Looking ahead, his ongoing Ph.D. supervision, continuous research in African Swine Fever epidemiology, and further exploration of zoonotic diseases place him in a pivotal role in shaping Africa's public health research landscape.
OTHER NOTABLE TOPICS
HONORS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Dr. Wampande has received numerous accolades, including the Makerere University Research Award for Excellence, Welcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship, and Gates Foundation Travel Grant.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
He remains an advocate for community-inclusive scientific approaches, using participatory methods to combat diseases and ensure sustainable practices in animal husbandry, agriculture, and diagnostics across Uganda.
RESOURCE MOBILIZATION EXPERTISE
He has led and co-led research projects funded by major organizations such as the United States Department of Agriculture, Defence Threat Reduction Agency, and the WHO/TDR, contributing to cross-sectoral innovation and knowledge application in both academic and governmental contexts.
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS
"A description of the clinical signs and lesions of African swine fever, and its differential diagnoses in pigs slaughtered at selected abattoirs in central Uganda"
- Author: JE Ekakoro, A Nassali, C Hauser, K Ochoa, D Ndoboli, R Okwasiimire
- Journal: Frontiers in Veterinary Science
- Year: 2025
"Detection and molecular characterisation of fowl adenovirus associated with inclusion body hepatitis and hydropericardium syndrome in Uganda"
- Author: W Eneku, R Okwasiimire, F Mutebi, M Kisekka, S Kakooza, M Afayoa
- Journal: Tropical Animal Health and Production
- Year: 2025
"Patterns of compensatory mutations in rpoA/B/C genes of multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis in Uganda"
- Author: DP Kateete, S Namakula, E Kigozi, FA Katabazi, GW Kasule, K Musisi
- Journal: bioRxiv
- Year: 2025
"Hepatoprotective effect of methanol fruit extract of Punica granatum L in highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced toxicity in Wistar rats"
- Author: E Kwizera, EM Wampande, CD Kato, P Mujinya, A Wandera, F Bwambale
- Journal: Drug and Chemical Toxicology
- Year: 2024
"Polymorphisms in immune genes and their association with tuberculosis susceptibility: An analysis of the African population"
- Author: W Wodelo, EM Wampande, A Andama, DP Kateete, K Ssekatawa
- Journal: The Application of Clinical Genetics
- Year: 2024