Scientific Activity
Prof. Peter Waiswa’s scientific activity spans research leadership, implementation science, peer review, mentorship, scientific evaluation, and knowledge exchange. His work is centered on developing, testing, and advancing scalable interventions that improve maternal, newborn, and child health in resource-limited settings, while also contributing to the wider scientific community through editorial service, grant review, thesis examination, and collaborative research leadership.
Advancing Evidence for Better Health Outcomes
Prof. Waiswa’s scientific work focuses on generating practical evidence that can improve survival and quality of care for mothers and newborns in vulnerable settings. His research has particularly emphasized simple, scalable, and effective interventions that can strengthen health systems and save lives. Across trials, implementation studies, and systems research, his work has consistently connected scientific rigor with real-world relevance.
Selected Scientific Programmes and Trials
Scientific Review, Editorial Service, and Evaluation
Prof. Waiswa’s scientific contribution extends well beyond leading studies. Since 2010, he has served as a regular expert referee for major international journals, including The Lancet, The Lancet Global Health, PLOS, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, several BMC journals, Tropical Medicine and International Health, Health Policy and Planning, and BMJ journals. He has also served on the editorial board of the International Journal of Public Health since 2015.
This work reflects a sustained role in maintaining scientific quality, strengthening evidence standards, and helping shape the direction of global health scholarship.
Thesis Examination and Research Assessment
Prof. Waiswa has also contributed to the scientific community through formal academic evaluation. His portfolio includes service as a member of thesis examination committees, including roles as pre-defence moderator and PhD opponent. He has also reviewed internal Makerere University College of Health Sciences grants and scholarship calls, and has regularly reviewed implementation research proposals for MRC, Wellcome Trust, and the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research.
These roles show active engagement in strengthening research quality, mentoring academic growth, and supporting the next generation of scientific inquiry.
Scientific Collaboration and Capacity Building
A defining feature of Prof. Waiswa’s scientific activity is collaboration. His portfolio highlights research partnerships with institutions including the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Aga Khan University, the College of Medicine in Malawi, and other partners across Africa and globally.
He also established the Makerere Centre of Excellence for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health as a platform to support young researchers with diverse skills to lead maternal health research, design innovations, and engage in policy development. The current live site already points to this centre as a key platform for capacity building.
Knowledge Exchange and Scientific Communication
Prof. Waiswa’s scientific activity also includes invited scientific presentations, keynote addresses, and broader knowledge exchange across academic and professional forums. His CV highlights keynote addresses and invited talks on newborn health, maternal and child mortality, and health systems in Uganda and beyond, including a keynote at the 7th Annual Early Career Health Researchers Symposium at Aga Khan University in November 2023.
This role in scientific communication strengthens the reach of his work by connecting research, training, policy dialogue, and implementation learning across institutions and countries
Prof. Waiswa’s scientific activity reflects more than a record of research projects. It shows an ongoing commitment to producing evidence, strengthening the standards of scientific work, supporting emerging researchers, and ensuring that knowledge leads to better care, stronger systems, and healthier communities. Through trials, peer review, editorial leadership, scientific evaluation, and collaboration, he continues to shape both the science and practice of global health.