Dr. Ponsiano Kabakyenga, Nuwagaba

Dr. Ponsiano Kabakyenga Nuwagaba, Ph.D., Lecturer Head, Department of Community and Disability Studies

Dr. Ponsiano Kabakyenga, Nuwagaba, Ph.D

Lecturer
Linkedin

Email: pnuwagaba@kyu.ac.ug or nkponsy@gmail.com
Phone: (+256) 781 644 616

Biography: 

Dr. Ponsiano Kabakyenga Nuwagaba is an academic and Public Health Specialist dedicated to promoting equity, social justice, and access to quality health services, with a particular focus on persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. He currently serves as the Head of the Department of Community and Disability Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University. Before entering academia, he gained practical experience as a medical practitioner in various healthcare settings and roles. He is a member of Allied Health Professionals under the Ministry of Health, Uganda.

Dr. Nuwagaba holds a Ph.D. in Disability Studies from the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa. His Ph.D. research focused on the “Experiences of women with physical disabilities in accessing and utilizing antenatal care services” and proposed strategies for improving rural service delivery in Uganda. Driven by a desire to enhance the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, Dr. Nuwagaba places great importance on policy and systems strengthening, implementation science, and multidisciplinary approaches. His work experience and research interests straddle sexual, reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and disability-inclusive health promotion and disease prevention. He is an educator, researcher, and consultant with several years of experience working with government ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations.

Current Job Title:
Lecturer, 2024–Present

Department:
Department of Community and Disability Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, Uganda

Additional Responsibilities Held:

  • Head of Department, Community and Disability Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, 2024–Present
  • Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator, Department of Community and Disability Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, 2023–Present
  • Examinations Coordinator, Department of Community and Disability Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, Uganda, 2018–2019
  • Secretary, Kyambogo University Disability and other Special Needs Assessment Committee, 2017–2019

Academic Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Disability Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa, 2021–2023
  • Master of Public Health, Uganda Christian University, Mukono, Uganda, 2012–2014
  • Bachelor of Social Work and Community Development, Kyambogo University, Uganda, 2008–2011
  • Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health, Fort Portal School of Clinical Officers, Uganda, 2002–2004

Past Work Experience:

  • Assistant Lecturer, Department of Community and Disability Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, 2015–2023
  • Part-time Assistant Lecturer, Department of Community and Disability Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, 2011–2015
  • Medical Clinical Officer, Kyambogo University Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, 2010–2015
  • Clinician/Trainer, Reach Out Mbuya Parish HIV/AIDS Initiative, Kampala, Uganda, 2007–2009
  • Medical Clinical Officer In-Charge, Bitooma Health Centre III, Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, Bushenyi, Uganda, 2005–2007

Research Interests:

  • Qualitative research
  • Disability inclusion in health services
  • Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH)
  • Inclusive health promotion and disease prevention
  • Monitoring and Evaluation of community-based inclusive development programs in Africa

Research Publications and Conferences:
Publications:

  • Nuwagaba, P. K. (2023). The mixed experiences of pregnant women with physical disabilities in accessing and utilizing antenatal care services in rural south-western Uganda. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Retrieved from link
  • Nuwagaba, K.P., 2014. Level of Utilization of Emergency Contraceptives among Kyambogo University students, Kampala, Uganda (MPH Dissertation; unpublished).

Conference Paper Presentations:

  • Barriers to accessing antenatal care services as experienced by pregnant women with physical disabilities in rural south-western Uganda, presented at the 33rd International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Triennial Congress, Bali, Indonesia, June 2023
  • Fit-for-purpose antenatal care services: perspectives from women with physical disabilities and midwives, presented at the 15th Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM), May 2023

Research Reports Written:

  • Nuwagaba, P.K. (2023). The mixed experiences of pregnant women with physical disabilities in accessing and utilizing antenatal care services in rural south-western Uganda. Thesis, Ph.D. in Disability Studies, University of Cape Town, SA. Supervisors: A/Prof. Sheila Clow and Prof. Theresa Lorenzo
  • Nuwagaba, P.K. (2014). Level of Utilization of Emergency Contraceptives among Kyambogo University students, Kampala, Uganda. Dissertation, Master of Public Health, Uganda Christian University. Supervisor: Dr. Lisibon Aliraki
  • Nuwagaba, P.K. (2011). Capacity of Family Caregivers in Caring for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS: a case of Reach Out Mbuya HIV/AIDS Organization, Kampala District. Bachelor Dissertation, Bachelor of Social Work and Community Development. Supervisor: Ms. Carolyne Maholo
  • Nuwagaba, P.K. (2004). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices About Condom Use Among Adolescents: a case study of Kitagata Senior Secondary School, Bushenyi District. Dissertation, Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health. Supervisor: Dr. Mathias Tumwebaze

Selected Graduate and Undergraduate Student Research Supervised:

  • Katumba Sempangi George, Reg. No. 22/U/GMDS/695/PE, Participation of Persons with Visual Impairment in HIV/AIDS Interventions: A case of TASO Mulago Hospital, Uganda. Master of Public Health Sciences, Kyambogo University. Ongoing
  • Jollen Gift, Reg. No. 15/U/10993/SCE/PE. Access to Family Planning Services by Rural Women in Uganda: A case study of Kagongi sub-county, Mbarara district. Bachelor of Community Development and Social Justice, Kyambogo University. Graduated in 2018
  • Amanya Eunice, Reg. No. 15/U/10933/SCE/PE. Access to Antenatal Care Services by Pregnant Mothers: A case study of Komamboga Health Centre IV, Kampala. Bachelor of Community Development and Social Justice, Kyambogo University. Graduated in 2018
  • Nsoori Racheal, Reg. No.15/U/10900/SCD/PD. Violence Against Children: A case study of Kisozi sub-county, Kamuli district. Bachelor of Community Development and Social Justice, Kyambogo University. Graduated in 2018

Selected Consultancy Services or Projects Undertaken:

  • Research Consultant, Local Government Performance Assessment in the management of health services delivery, for Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), 2018 to Present
  • National Master Trainer, Strengthening Education and Training – Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) – in collaboration with Makerere School of Public Health, International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague, Netherlands, and Rutgers, 2017–Present
  • Technical Team Member, Community Development Officers’ Manual for Integration of Sexual and Reproductive Health of Young People and Women and HIV/AIDS Prevention in community development work, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD), Uganda, 2018

Membership of Corporate, Social, and Professional Bodies:

  • Registered Member, Allied Health Professionals of Uganda, Ministry of Health, Uganda, 2005–Present
  • Registered Member, Kyambogo University Academic Staff Association (KYUASA), 2016–Present
  • Faculty Representative, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation Representative to Kyambogo University Academic Staff Association (KYUASA), 2016–2019
  • Faculty Representative, Uganda Martyrs Catholic Chaplaincy Building Committee, Kyambogo University, 2017–Present
  • Member of Vetting Committee, Kyambogo University Staff Savings and Credit Cooperative (KYUSACCO), 2024–Present