Dr Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda
Senior Lecturer
School: Health Sciences
Department: Nursing
Dr. Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda is a senior lecturer in the Department of Nursing at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. She earned her Ph.D. in Medicine from Makerere University in 2017, following a Master of Science in Population and Reproductive Health (2008), a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Uganda Management Institute (2006), and a Bachelor of Nursing Science (2002). Her doctoral research focused on reproductive health and quality of care for perinatally HIV-infected adolescents, highlighting her dedication to adolescent health and HIV/AIDS services.
Since joining Makerere University in 2004, Dr. Mbalinda has made notable contributions to nursing education and research. She led the Department of Nursing from 2009 to 2011 and has also served as a clinical instructor at the Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery. Early in her career, she worked as a nurse intern at Mulago Hospital and as a peer counsellor specialising in youth reproductive health. Her work includes developing curricula on adolescent reproductive health, family planning, and maternal and newborn health, benefiting health training institutions across Uganda and East Africa.
Her research interests cover maternal and child health, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, and non-communicable diseases like stroke and epilepsy. She has participated in several funded projects, including clinical trials on epilepsy self-management and stroke prevention among high-risk populations in Uganda. Dr. Mbalinda was the principal investigator for studies on transitioning adolescents from pediatric to adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics. Her scholarly output includes over 70 peer-reviewed articles on topics such as neonatal skin-to-skin contact, maternal morbidity, reproductive health, nursing education, and health system strengthening.
Apart from her academic pursuits, Dr. Mbalinda has served as a consultant and master trainer for numerous projects funded by organisations like JHPIEGO, UNICEF, UNFPA, USAID, and Marie Stopes. Her expertise spans emergency obstetric care, postpartum family planning, maternal health system enhancement, and health workforce training. She has trained many healthcare professionals and contributed to capacity building through innovative teaching and mentorship.
Dr. Mbalinda is an active participant in professional organisations like the Uganda Nurses and Midwifery Council, White Ribbon Alliance, African Midwives Research Network, Nurses and Midwifery Union, Sigma Theta Tau International, and the Society of Adolescent Health Uganda. Her achievements include fellowships such as the FAIMER Fellowship in Medical Education and Leadership, AFYA BORA Global Health Fellowship, and ACHIEVE Fellowship.
She has supervised numerous graduate students at both master's and Ph.D. levels, with research topics covering reproductive health, infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and nursing education. Additionally, she serves as an external examiner for nursing programs at universities across Uganda, Rwanda, and nearby countries. Her extensive experience in teaching, research, consultancy, and mentorship positions her as a leading figure in nursing and public health in Uganda and the East African region, contributing significantly to health improvements through evidence-based practices and capacity development.
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