Prof Bazeyo wins global academic award

Prof William Bazeyo.  PHOTO/COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • The award recognises his diligent service as former dean of Makerere School of Public Health as well as chair of several boards, including Uganda’s National Research and Innovation Fund under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.


Prof William Bazeyo, an expert on occupational medicine and former deputy vice chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, has been named one of six Tufts University honorary degree recipients for the class of 2021.

Tufts University is one of the major research institutions in America.
The announcement published Tuesday on the Tufts University’s news site shows that Prof Bazeyo will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree to recognise his leadership in research, focusing on “One Health Innovation” such as that on Control of Tobacco use.

According to Tufts, the award recognises his diligent service as former dean of Makerere School of Public Health as well as chair of several boards, including Uganda’s National Research and Innovation Fund under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The director of Eastern Africa Resilience Innovation Lab at Makerere University School of Public Health, Mr Nathan Kipande, tweeted yesterday: “Congratulations Prof William Bazeyo upon this achievement once again. Tufts honorary degree is a vote of confidence in your contribution to humanity. We are proud of you.”

Ms Grace Ruto, the research support officer at Research and Innovations Fund of Makerere University, also tweeted: “His (Prof Bazeyo) actions speak! Congratulations. Continue to shine! God has surely favoured you and you are committed to being the best!”

Prof Bazeyo resigned last year in October as the vice chancellor of the university in charge of Finance and administration.
The other honorary degree recipients named alongside Prof Bazeyo include Maria B. Barrett (Doctor of Public Service), Stacey B. Gabriel (Doctor of Science), Hamdi Ulukaya (Doctor of Humane Letters), Ofelia Zepeda (Doctor of Letters), and Bryan Stevenson (Doctor of Laws).

The virtual ceremony is due to be held on May 23, according to information from Makerere University.