The National Biosafety Committee (NBC) is a multi-disciplinary body under the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) that reviews and advises on biotechnology, biosafety and related science-and-policy matters. Below are the members of the 7th NBC.
Chairperson, 7th National Biosafety Committee (2025–2029)
Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University
Dr. Mugisha is a leading wildlife veterinarian and One Health expert whose career spans academia, research, ecohealth, biosafety and biosecurity. He is Team Leader for the EcoHealth Research Group under the Conservation & Ecosystem Health Alliance (CEHA), with a special focus on biosafety, biosecurity and cyberbiosecurity. He is a Certified Professional in Biorisk Management and Biological Risk Assessment by the International Federation for Biosafety Association (IFBA).
He previously served as a member of the 6th NBC (2021–2024), and chaired the UNCST National Taskforce that established the National Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Research and Teaching (2021). He has contributed to national guidelines for bio-banking, community engagement, joint research review, gene editing and NBC SOPs. He was also the founding Chairperson and a member of the 1st Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) in Uganda (2018–2025).
Dr. Mugisha is a Scientific Member for the Presidential Initiative for Epidemics (PRESIDE) and a Steering Committee member of the Centre for Biosecurity and Global Health (CiBeGH). He is currently involved in the implementation of several national biosafety, biosecurity, cyberbiosecurity, Biological Weapons Convention and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) programmes, and led the drafting of SOPs and Guidelines for Cyberbiosecurity and Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) in Uganda.
In 2025, Dr. Mugisha was selected to join the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS) Technical Consortium on International Standards for DNA Synthesis Screening (2025–2028), which works to ensure that emerging DNA synthesis screening standards align with broader global health security and biodiversity protection goals.
“Health security begins where ecosystems, animals, and people meet. Stronger biosafety and biosecurity measures — like DNA synthesis screening — are essential not just for laboratories, but for the shared health of our planet.”
Vice Chairperson, 7th National Biosafety Committee
Principal Technology Promotion Officer, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
Dr. Barbara Mugwanya Zawedde has been involved in the development of Uganda’s biosafety system since 2003. She holds a PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology, with a doctoral specialization in Environmental Science and Policy. She coordinated the Uganda Biosciences Information Centre (UBIC) from August 2013 to March 2020 and served as Vice Chairperson of the Uganda Biotechnology and Biosafety Consortium (2014–2019) — both initiatives that supported passage of the national biosafety legislation through Parliament in 2017 and 2018.
She has contributed to the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy (2008), the National Guidelines for Biosafety Containment and Confinement, the Trial Managers’ Handbook and a draft National Biosafety Communication Strategy (2020). She provided regulatory backstopping for biotechnology projects including WEMA and VIRCA as an internal project regulator, has built the capacity of biosafety regulators across and beyond Africa, and has participated in CBD COP-MOP negotiations. She previously served as Director of Research for a NARO institute, and chaired the NARO Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) from April 2019 to August 2025.
Selected publications:
Commissioner & Head of Department, Processing and Marketing (MSMEs), Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives · UNCST Council Member · NBC Member
Dr. Mutambi supervises and participates in the formulation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) and industrial development policies, strategies and programmes. He has coordinated programmes including African STI Indicators (Uganda), Switch Africa Green (Demand-side Management of Energy in SMEs), the Green Manufacturing Strategy, and the Development and Promotion of MSME Innovative Cluster Initiatives in Uganda.
He is a researcher and sustainable-industry, competitiveness and enterprise-development expert with extensive experience facilitating the development of MSMEs, business incubators, industrial parks, research and technical institutions, and industrial clusters and start-ups. Prior roles include Uganda Airlines Engineering, Roofings Uganda Ltd, Uganda Industrial Research Institute (engineer in charge of the Equipping Machinery and Installation project), and Shanghai Omni Gear Manufacturing (design, machining and testing).
Dr. Mutambi holds a PhD in Techno-Science Studies (Innovation Systems and Development) from Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden (2013) and a PhD in Engineering from Makerere University (2014). He also holds a Licentiate (Masters) in Technology from Blekinge (2011), an MSc in Engineering (Machine Manufacturing and Automation) from Shanghai University (2004), and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering (Upper Honours) from Makerere (1996), plus a number of post-graduate programmes in science, technology, organizational management, trade and investment promotion, and innovation management.
He facilitates research and technology transfer for import substitution and industrial development through partnerships with Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University Business School, Kyambogo University and Bishop Stuart University. He serves on the Boards of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), and is a Council member of UNCST as well as a member of the 7th National Biosafety Committee.
Dean, School of Biosciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University · Fellow, Uganda National Academy of Sciences (FUNAS)
arthur.tugume@mak.ac.ug · aktugume@gmail.com · +256 772 514841
Dr. Arthur Kajungu Tugume has been based at the College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University since October 1999. He holds a PhD (with distinction) in Plant Pathology from the University of Helsinki, Finland (2010), an MSc in Crop Science — Genetics (2003) and a 2nd-Class Upper BSc in Botany and Biochemistry (1999), both from Makerere University. He has been Associate Professor of Plant Pathology and Virology since 2018 in the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, having twice served as Head of Department (2012–2015 and 2020–2022). He is currently Dean, School of Biosciences (2022–2026), overseeing 17 academic programmes across four departments, and Chairperson of the Makerere University Deans’ Forum.
Dr. Tugume has been a Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Coordinator or Technical Advisor on research projects ranging from US $18,000 to US $6.2 million, with collaborators in 12 countries across 5 continents. His research focuses on genetics; biotechnology; plant-microbe interactions; plant virus evolution, ecology, and transmission; plant pathology; and plant sexual reproductive biology in cultivated species and their wild relatives. He has co-authored 43 peer-reviewed publications and serves as a reviewer for numerous international journals and funding organizations.
He is President of the Biology Society of Uganda (BioSU), a founding member of the College of Natural Sciences Multipurpose Cooperative Society (since 2011), and a Trustee of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Social Support Fund. He served on the 6th NBC (2020–2024) and continues on the 7th NBC (2025–2029), where he provides policy guidance on biosafety, biotechnology, research investment and scientific applications for Uganda’s advancement.
Head, National Seed Certification Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)
Dr. Asio holds over 20 years of experience in agricultural development and research. She currently heads Uganda’s National Seed Certification Services Division, where she coordinates the inspection and certification of plant seeds in conformity with national and international control requirements — a role that supports improved food security, nutrition and household incomes.
Her areas of expertise and interest include plant breeding and seed production.
Head of Research & Training; Laboratory Director, Uganda Cancer Institute
Dr. Niyonzima is a consultant and research scientist at the Uganda Cancer Institute. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and a Master of Medicine in Pathology, both from Makerere University; a Master of Science in Global Health from Duke University; and doctoral studies in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Washington, where his dissertation focused on gene therapy.
He is an investigator on several academic and industry clinical trials. His research interests are the molecular characterization of cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), affordable low-cost diagnostics for cancers in resource-limited settings, and cancer health systems.
Senior Programme Officer, Uganda National Health Consumers’/Users’ Organization (UNHCO)
Ms. Alwoch holds a Master’s Degree in Human Rights. She has over 13 years of working experience in community and policy engagement on patient safety, patients’ rights and responsibilities, knowledge management and communications, and in building strategic partnerships and alliances with civil society, media and Government.
Assistant Commissioner, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs · Representing the Solicitor General on the NBC
iharriet2011@gmail.com · +256 787 012957
Ms. Harriet Ityang has over twenty years’ working experience in law, biosafety and biotechnology. Her main areas of focus are reviewing legislation for reform and drafting legislation — especially subsidiary legislation on decentralized local governance and child rights. As an Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, she represents the Solicitor General on the National Biosafety Committee.
She has participated in the development and amendment of numerous laws, and has analysed Government policies with a view to informing legal reform. Her contributions to UNCST include the development of several biosafety guidelines, notably the National Guidelines for Research in Humans and the Guidelines on Gene Therapy Research and Development.
Ms. Ityang holds an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science (UK), an Honours degree in Law from Makerere University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, Kampala. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda and has attended several short courses in biosafety.
Director of Product Safety, National Drug Authority (NDA) · Fellow, International Society of Pharmacovigilance
Dr. Helen Byomire Ndagije is a distinguished professional in drug regulatory science, currently serving as Director of Product Safety at Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA). In this capacity she provides strategic leadership for pharmacovigilance, clinical trial oversight, and operational research, ensuring that medical products meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy. With a doctoral background in public health and a foundation in pharmacy, she brings a rare combination of scientific rigour and regulatory expertise to her role.
As a member of Uganda’s National Biosafety Committee, she contributes to the responsible governance of genetic engineering and biotechnology, helping ensure that innovation in the biosciences advances responsibly — protecting human and animal health as well as the environment. She has served on all organizing committees of Uganda’s annual research ethics conferences and represents NDA in the national forum of ethics chairpersons, strengthening dialogue between regulators, researchers and policy-makers.
Her contributions extend to international collaboration. She has participated in multiple research consortia with UNCST, working to align Uganda’s regulatory capacity with global standards — efforts that have advanced Uganda’s role in international biosafety governance, particularly since the country ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Beyond her institutional roles, she is recognised for convening diverse stakeholders and nurturing future leaders in regulatory science, building consensus among manufacturers, regulators, patients and communication experts so that safety oversight is both inclusive and impactful.
National Coordinator, Biosafety and Biosecurity Programme, Ministry of Health — Uganda · Interim Chair, National Technical Working Group on Biosafety and Biosecurity
Joseph Nkodyo M. is a Public Health Laboratory Medicine and Biorisk Management specialist with expertise in medical microbiology, health policy and financing, clinical trials, and epidemic intelligence analysis. He is Team Lead of the Division of Public Health and Biosafety & Biosecurity at the National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, where he leads national policy, strategy and implementation of laboratory system interventions to strengthen Uganda’s health security and biological risk management capacity.
He provides strategic leadership for the design, implementation and oversight of national biosafety and biosecurity systems across the human, animal and environmental health sectors — ensuring safe and secure laboratory operations and preparedness against naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate biological threats. His work spans laboratory system strengthening, infectious disease intelligence, pathogen inventory and accountability, emergency preparedness, CBRN readiness, and regulatory and policy development.
Joseph has coordinated Uganda’s draft core biorisk management framework and led development of key national instruments, including the National Biosafety and Biosecurity Manual, the National Healthcare Waste Management Policy, the Biorisk Management Training Curriculum, and assessment tools and mentorship toolkits for national biosafety, biosecurity and waste management. He has also guided initiatives to strengthen high-containment laboratories, institutional biosafety systems, emergency response mechanisms, and One Health collaboration.
He received specialized biosafety and biosecurity training from Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. National Defense University, and is an IFBA-certified professional in Biorisk Management and Biosecurity. He is a member of the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) and the Biosafety and Biosecurity Association of Uganda (BBAU). He is also an instructor and mentor for the laboratory leadership programme at the National Institute of Public Health.