UNAS Secretariat

Daniel Masereka is the Research and Administrative Assistant at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences. He, among many activities, works closely with a diverse team of professionals at the secretariat to conduct extensive secondary research, convene consensus-building activities, and manage stakeholder relationships across an array of sectors. A Systems Analyst/Administrator by profession with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Prior to joining the Academy, Daniel worked as a Systems Administrator at Kagando Hospital, Kasese District. He also worked as an ICT officer at I-signia IT solutions in Kampala, Uganda.

Hawah Nabweteme is the Assistant Research Officer at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences. She, among many activities, works closely with a diverse team of professionals at the secretariat to conduct extensive secondary research, convene consensus-building activities and manage stakeholder relationships across an array of sectors. She also takes the lead in coordinating the Academy’s Annual Scientific Conference, which provides a neutral platform for experts from different sectors to exchange ideas and experiences on topical issues that foster national development. A Development Economist by profession with a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Economics from Makerere University, where her research focused on understanding how unequal distribution of resources contributed to a vicious cycle of social and health inequities. Prior to joining the Academy, Hawah worked as a Monitoring & Evaluation Assistant at Platform for Labour Action, a non-governmental organization that advocates for and promotes the rights of vulnerable and marginalized workers. She was actively involved in designing, implementing, and coordinating the Monitoring and evaluation systems and functions of the organization, providing overall technical guidance, coaching and mentoring internal staff and external stakeholders in Monitoring and Evaluation

Lucy is the Senior Administrative Officer at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS). She among the many activities assists the Executive Secretary in handling administrative issues and proactively ensures effective communication among the Academy team to ensure smooth running of all the programmes. She also takes lead in coordinating the Publications and Conferences, and the Finance and Administration UNAS Standing Committees. She holds a degree in Arts -Social Sciences (Honors) from Makerere University, Uganda. She is currently a Masters Student of Social Sector Planning and Management at the same University.

Louis is the Senior Communications Officer at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences. He is responsible for planning, developing and implementing Public Relations and Communications strategies at the Academy. He takes lead in coordinating the UNAS Fellows and Membership Standing Committee and Council, the governing board of the Academy. He holds a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences majoring in Public Administration and Management from Makerere University. Currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration and Management from Makerere University.

William is the  Senior Finance and Accounts Officer at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS). He is responsible for Financial Accounting, Budgeting, Financial Management, Audit and Financial Reporting. He is also part of the secretariat on the Finance and Administration Standing Committee. He is B.Com (Accounting) graduate from Makerere University, Uganda.

Sydney Sproul is the Senior Strategy and Development Officer at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS). As part of his position, he oversees several strategic UNAS initiatives and provides advice to the Executive Secretary of UNAS on programmatic issues. He currently focuses on the implementation of a major study on domestic financing funded by the Hewlett Foundation and recently served as the technical writer on a UNAS consensus study on the prevention of violence against children. He was the primary officer in charge of the UNAS Strategic Plan 2018-2023’s development. Prior to joining the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS), he worked as a paramedic with the British Columbian Ambulance Service (BCAS), in Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences and as part of his undergraduate thesis at Quest University Canada (QUC), he examined the question of “How do we excel?” by doing an analysis of virtue ethics and psychology

Irene Atim is a Research Officer at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences. Her major responsibilities at the Academy include conducting literature reviews on global health, immunization, and development projects. She is also a key member of the Secretariat of the Uganda National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (UNITAG). She supports fundraising activities and synthesizes data and other information to form coherent and cogent scientific reports, policy briefs, and other programmatic materials. Before joining UNAS, Irene worked with several reputable research institutions, including the National Statistical Office, Academia, Local and international organizations, on several research assignments and consultancies. Irene is a trained Population Scientist with over eight years of Field Research Management. She has risen through the ranks with increasing responsibility from data collection, Supervision of Field Teams, and Field Coordination in projects related to Family planning, HIV/AIDS, and socio-economic surveys. She has supported conducting data analysis of collected data using Statistical programs. She holds a Master of Science degree in Population and Reproductive Health and a Bachelor of Science in Population Studies both from Makerere University. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from Uganda Management Institute.

Celia Nalwadda is the Principal Research Officer at Uganda National Academy of Sciences. She holds a Master of Science Degree from Cranfield University, UK, a Post Graduate Diploma from University of Helsinki, Finland and Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from Makerere University, Uganda. With over seven years’ experience in National Academy work, her specialties include fundraising conducting systematic research, scientific report writing, plus development and facilitation of Policy Advisory Expert Committees. She has successfully run several policy advisory committees including the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), Standing Committee on Malaria Vaccine, Standing Committee on Climate Change, Prevention of Violence against Children, and the Program for Strengthening Capacity of Research Division of Parliament of Uganda, amongst others. Celia served as UNAS Acting Executive Secretary in 2016 where she provided leadership in implementation of the Academy strategic plan, resources mobilization, preparation of Academy budgets, Human Resources Management, and Accounting Officer. She linked and represented the Academy to academic, government, international research and business organizations, and other national academies.

Christian is the Executive Secretary of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS), where he leads all strategic, programmatic, financial, and administrative issues of the Academy’s secretariat. Prior to joining UNAS, Christian was Director for Strategy and Program Development for the African Science Academy Development Initiative of the U.S. National Academies. He was also Visiting Professor of African Studies and Social Sciences at Quest University, Canada, where he taught a range of courses on African development, politics, feminism, and the arts. Christian has also served as Executive Officer, Policy and Research at UNICEF within the GAVI Alliance Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. In that role, he was an advisor to the CEO of GAVI. Prior to that, he worked in the Sudan-Uganda program of the Lutheran World Federation/Department for World Service on livelihoods projects and HIV/AIDS advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation. He has also been a development economics researcher for Dr. Callisto Madavo, former Vice President of the World Bank and development anthropology researcher for Prof. Gwendolyn Mikell at Georgetown University. He holds a degree in Liberal Arts (Mathematics and Philosophy) from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM and Master of Science degree in International Affairs and Economics (with a concentration in International Development and Strategy) from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Refugees and Humanitarian Crises from the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) and is a graduate of ICSA – The Governance Institute (Grad CG).