Using Statistics to Strengthen Integrated Health Care in Africa – Namugenyi Christabellah

Meet Christabellah, a lecturer and researcher working at the intersection of statistics and public health in areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, and population health. In this episode, she walks through her STEM journey and why she chose to work on evaluating integrated care models for HIV and hypertension:

Hi, Christabellah. It is an honour to have you join us on this episode of Words That Count. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us
Thank you for the invitation. I am happy to share my journey through your work. Thanks to Mary Mbuliro for the nomination.

Please give our audience a brief introduction about yourself
My name is Namugenyi Christabellah. I am a Ugandan, residing in Wakiso, Uganda. I am currently an assistant lecturer at the School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Here, I train undergraduate and master’s students in the areas of advanced statistics for population health, epidemiology, biostatistics, and data processing.

I also conduct research that applies statistics and data science to solve problems in population and public health. With this, I am currently pursuing my PhD in Public Health at Makerere University. My research focuses on the application of mixed methods to evaluate Service Delivery Models in providing horizontally integrated care, particularly HIV and hypertension among adult PLHIV.

Walk us through your journey into Statistics, particularly, what made you realise that you could apply statistics to health challenges
My interest in mathematics began early in my primary education and remained consistent throughout my academic journey. This was largely influenced by the practical and engaging approach my teachers used. It enabled me to understand mathematical concepts deeply rather than rely on repeated revision. Mathematics became both a strength and a subject I genuinely enjoyed.

I later joined Makerere College School for my secondary education, where my appreciation for mathematics continued to grow. During this time, I developed a particular interest in Statistics as a branch of Mathematics. At the same time, I had a passion for architectural design. Guided by these interests, I chose to study Mathematics and Technical Drawing among other subjects at the secondary level.

While applying for university, I selected Architecture as my first choice and Statistics as my second. After performing well in Mathematics and Technical Drawing, I was admitted in 2012 to the Bachelor of Architecture program at Makerere University on government sponsorship.

I began the program with enthusiasm. However, during my first year, I came to realize that the course structure placed significant emphasis on Fine Art rather than Technical Drawing, which was not my area of strength. I had anticipated a stronger focus on technical drawing and mathematical application, and when this expectation was not met, I reflected carefully on my academic direction.

In 2013, I made the decision to transfer to the Bachelor of Statistics program at Makerere University. This transition allowed me to align my studies more closely with my strengths and long-standing interest in Mathematics. I completed the program in 2016 and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Statistics degree.

To deepen my knowledge, I enrolled in the Master of Statistics program at Makerere University in 2018. I completed the program in 2020 and graduated in 2021. Throughout this period, I developed a growing interest in the application of Statistics within the health sector.

This interest was strongly influenced by my late father, who served as a medical doctor in a rural community in Uganda. Observing his dedication and the direct impact of his work on people’s lives inspired me to consider how my own skills could contribute meaningfully to society. His example instilled in me a desire to apply statistics, particularly in the health field.

What are some of the challenges have you faced while building your career in Statistics?
My academic journey through primary and secondary school was straightforward. However, when I reached university, the realization that I was not going to pursue a course I initially wanted instilled a lot of self-doubt in me. It was such a challenging period of my life, and at that point, I did a lot of reflection. I believe I made the right choice for my profession to change to Statistics and have never looked back. I am thankful for that experience because I mastered self-belief.

What motivated you to keep pushing when faced with such a tough challenge early on in your career journey?
The overall desire to succeed and make a positive impact shaped my willingness to reflect, adapt, and pursue a path that aligns with my abilities.

After my undergraduate degree in Statistics, I was also fortunate to have my uncle, David Ouma Balikoowa, who consistently encouraged me to aim for greatness in my career. I am deeply thankful to him for the long talks and meetings about advancing my career.

Let’s talk about some of the most prestigious moments you have had along this career journey in Statistics
I was awarded a Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award 2025 in the category of Early Career Researcher at the 75^th Graduation ceremony of Makerere University.

I was also awarded a PhD fellowship from the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) in February 2025.

Who is Christabellah outside of the walls of Statistics?
I love to spend quality time with family and friends. I also love listening to music.

Additionally, even if I did not do architecture, I still enjoy keeping up with new ideas on interior architecture. My interest is mainly in the permanent functional design of interior spaces, such as walls, staircases, and ceiling details, among others.

What is your favorite quote?
“Never do tomorrow what you can do today” ~ Charles Dickens.

The other one is “Procrastination is the thief of time” ~ Edward Young.

How would you encourage a young girl who is interested in applying statistics to the health care sector?
It’s never too late as long as you master patience and precision. Life will present you with challenging opportunities in the spirit for growth. Consider yourself a student for life.

Also, “If you want to go fast, move alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This is an African proverb that means that life is a double-edged sword. You need the two pieces of advice, and you should apply each appropriately.

Thank you, Christabellah, for taking us through your STEM journey and the impact you are making in the health sector, both through research and teaching. We appreciate you and wish you the very best with your PhD.