As we continue to celebrate the Women’s month, we are honored to recognize several outstanding women who have been acknowledged on an international level by various organizations. Listed in no particular order, these remarkable individuals are:
Sumaiya Nalukwago
Sumaiya Nalukwago is a student in the Faculty of Computing and Informatics at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
At MUST, she was the first female Lead of the Google Developer Student Club (GDSC MUST), helping students learn and develop using Google technologies.
Recently, she was recognized by the US Embassy in Uganda for her outstanding work with in tech communities under the AWE Alumni Program
Additionally, she now serves as the Community Lead for Google Developer Groups Cloud & Women TechMakers Mbarara, demonstrating a strong passion for fostering inclusive tech communities that empower everyone to succeed.
Sumaiya is also a Tech Content Creator (@Tech Over with Sumaiya) on YouTube where she provides valuable insights for tech enthusiasts in navigating the non-coding aspects of technology.
Late last year, she was nominated for an international award for her work in tech communities and even made it to the top 10 finalists out of over 2100 participants! She was the only Ugandan nominated in the Women Tech Network Global Awards 2023 under the Women in Tech Community Category.
Outside of tech, Sumaiya volunteers in the Public Relations Office at MUST.
Assoc. Prof.Juliet Mwanga-Amumpaire
Dr. Juliet Mwanga-Amumpaire is a pediatrician and Associate Professor at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. For the past 10 years, she has led the Epicentre Research Centre in Mbarara. She recently completed her PhD on improving healthcare in private Ugandan clinics.
Dr. Mwanga-Amumpaire’s work goes from research to making healthcare better, especially for those most in need. She is a role model for future scientists and doctors.Under Dr. Mwanga-Amumpaire’s leadership, the Epicentre Centre has grown and become a respected research center in Uganda and East Africa. The center works with important partners like Mbarara University, the Mbarara Regional Hospital, and the Ugandan Ministry of Health.
The center’s research has helped change public health policies. For example, they showed that a medicine called Artesute could save the lives of many African children with severe malaria. They also helped test a new, easy-to-use treatment for children with HIV.
Dr. Mwanga-Amumpaire and the center have also been involved in research on tuberculosis (TB). They helped develop new ways to diagnose TB in young children with pneumonia. They are also studying how to improve TB treatment. She believes in the importance of teamwork. She credits her own mentors for her success, and is committed to supporting her team at the Epicentre Centre. The center’s lab recently received an important certification showing their high standards.
With her new PhD, Dr. Mwanga-Amumpaire is excited to keep working with her team. She wants to develop new research programs on diseases like TB and HIV, but also on less common illnesses and childhood cancers. Her goal is to improve healthcare policies and patient care.
Dr. Juliet Mwanga-Amumpaire is a leader and innovator in medical research. She is an inspiration to future generations of doctors and researchers in East Africa.