As Sweden continues to phase out its support in research to public universities in Uganda, we cought up with the Dr. Betty Kivumbi Nannyonga - a beneficiary of Sweden's support both at PhD and post-doc level. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics in Makerere University and also the Founder and Chair of Uganda Women in Mathematics and the Eastern Africa Network for Women in Basic Sciences. Here is what she had to share with us.
Andrew: Can you tell us about who you are and what you do?
Dr Kivumbi: My name is Betty Kivumbi Nannyonga and I am a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Makerere University. I am also a Senior Researcher within and outside Makerere University. I am a mentor with the Mastercard Foundation, and the Founder and Chair of the Uganda Women in Mathematics, and the Eastern Africa Network for Women in Basic Sciences which has received support from Sweden through the International Science Program at Uppsala University. I am also a mentor and the gender contact person in the College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University.
I completed my fourth post-doctoral research in Biostatistics during the last phase of the Sida funded research program at Makerere University and Linkoping University, and I was among the first two recipients of the post-doc under this phase. I started the post-doc from Sida two years after it was awarded due to the work I was doing with Girls in Science. I worked closely with Prof. Martin Singull in Uppsala University. The other three post-doctorates were from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Muizenberg South Africa (Biomathematics), Uppsala University in Sweden (Mathematical Bioeconomics), and University of Cambridge (Mathematics Education specializing in Gender).
Andrew: Tell us about your PhD program.
Dr Kivumbi: I completed my PhD program under the sandwich model between Makerere University and Uppsala University. This was coordinated by the International Science Program with core support from Sida. My research was on Malaria coinfections – Modelling coinfection of malaria with persistent and reemerging infections. I finished by doctoral research in 2011 and graduated in 2012. My PhD focused on coinfections of malaria such the Hepatitis E outbreak in Kitgum and Pader districts in northern Uganda, looking at the disease burden specifically in the people living in refugee camps. I also looked at malaria coinfections with HIV/AIDS, trypanosomiasis, helminthiasis, application of DDT as a control, and the secondary effect of malaria on fertility and child mortality, and the causal effect if any, to the social and economic development of the affected women.
After completion of my PhD, I started my post-doctoral research in late 2012 on the nodding syndrome, the later travelled to Sweden in 2013 to continue with modelling the nodding syndrome. I worked very closely with Prof. David Sumpter and focused my research the economics of diseases, using data driven models for policy making in Uganda. I focused on the nodding syndrome; how it cost the country, how government could optimally invest to curb the syndrome, and how it was affecting parents of the sick children both economically and socially among other things. I have continued to work with Prof. Sumpter to date and also his wife Lovisa on mathematics education.
Andrew: Do you feel that your PhD program has benefited Uganda as a country?
Dr Kivumbi: During my PhD I worked very closely with the Ministry of Health and shared my research results with them. The results were used to implement policies that helped fight the Hepatitis E infection. One of the recommendations was to increase the number of boreholes and latrines since there was a shortage of clean water and adequate sanitation facilities. At the time, only 0.37 % of persons had access to a borehole and slightly over 1% had access to latrines. My results showed how many latrines and boreholes were needed.
My research on Nodding syndrome helped the government ascertain how best to use their resources to fight its impacts. They decided to focus on the nutrition of the children among other things.
For my most recent post-doc, I published a paper on fistula in Uganda with a focus on Masaka district. I hope that they shall use my results to implement policies on management of fistula. A fistula is an unusual opening that connects your vagina to another organ, in this case the rectum. Due to obstructed labor and in absence of emergency surgery, women develop the condition due to obstructed labor. This usually results in deaths of the babies and development of the hole between the bladder and rectum. The end result is uncontrolled feaces and urine. My research showed various reasons for not accessing health facilities including no transport money to take the women there, long distances to facilities, permission needed from the husband among others. The research informed government on whether they should invest in setting up more health facilities or getting women in the available facilities.
I also initiated two networks to promote sciences among girls locally and regionally. The Uganda Women Mathematicians organizes mathematics camps, seminars and marathons through the support received from Sida through the International Science Program. We organize the run for mathematics marathon, workshops, teacher trainings, and outreach activities aimed at providing equal access and success in the mathematics classroom. We have established ourselves and can continue holding these activities after the completion of support from ISP.
On the importance of mathematics to COVID-19, mathematics research is paramount to tackle COVID-19 because governments have to plan before, during and after the pandemic. It is important to project the future and that can only be done through mathematical modelling. We cannot plan to vaccinate or give tests until you quantify the necessity and expected burden of the pandemic mathematically.
Andrew: How have your PhD and Post-Doc programs helped you in the advancement of your career?
Dr Kivumbi: I have benefitted the most from the support I received from Sida. Since my PhD, I have produced over 20 publications. I have supervised 29 master's students and 1 Kenyan PhD student has graduated with my assistance. I have worked with PhD students from Tanzania and Nigeria in the area of biomathematics with 2 completing their course.
I have also been credited by the International Science Program and more recently I was nominated the lead modelling group on the Uganda COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Committee.
I believe it is important for a country to have knowledge on basic sciences because without basic sciences, policies cannot be implemented. Science is the art and law of the universe. It is also extremely important for women to contribute more to sciences as women are impacted more by policies.
Many girls apply for science courses, especially mathematics and physics, but they drop out before going very far. We have organized seminars, workshops and mentorship sessions twice a month for the girls and we have seen a change in attitude with girls starting to major in mathematics and more first and upper second class degrees coming from girls, and many more going on to do their Masters and PhDs.
I applied for the position of Associate Professor in January 2019, and the process of is still ongoing. If I am accepted, I will be among Uganda's first female professor of mathematics.
Andrew: Tell us about the work that you are currently doing.
Dr Kivumbi: I work as a Senior Lecturer at Makerere University, but I also teach as a staff exchange at the African Centre of Excellence in Data Science at the University of Rwanda. I also was appointed as an external examiner at Dar Es Salaam University College of Education. I am also a Board member on the Board of Directors for the National Identification and Registration Authority.
Andrew: Since you completed your PhD program, how has Makerere University benefited from your expertise?
Dr Kivumbi: There has been an increase in the collaborations between Makerere University and other Universities around the world. We also increasingly work more with industries and communities to use our research to answer the challenges they face. We have entered into exchange programs with other Universities like the University of Rwanda. Our collaboration with Sweden has continued as well, as I still have a few pending projects with Prof. Martin, Prof. Sumpter, and his wife Dr. Lovisa Sumpter. We also collaborate with Prof. Carla Puglia who is working very hard to promote basic sciences in Uganda. We hope to continue collaborations even after the research projects end.
Andrew: How has your research work impacted your field in Uganda?
Dr Kivumbi: My work has dignified mathematics as a course that especially women can do. I found it hard to convince people that I am a mathematician initially and it was difficult to relate the impact of mathematics on health and other sectors. That is all changing now. We have shown that mathematics can be applied everywhere throughout every field. Many people are surprised that math can be everywhere, but our work has proven that it can be applied in any aspect of life.
Andrew: What personal challenges do you feel you are facing despite the completion of your PhD and postdoctoral research?
Dr Kivumbi: Our biggest challenge remains in changing people's attitude towards math. There is a stereotype that we must fight by talking about it more. We need to make girls embrace math more by showing its applications to secondary schools' learners and elevating it to a higher level. Parents discourage their girls against math as they too had challenges with the subject and they don't see any application apart from teaching. We are trying to demonstrate that with mathematics, they can work in any field of science and the arts too. We have used mathematical modelling for example, to inform companies whether they can fire and hire new employees or retain and train the staff they have. We must continue to spread the word.
Andrew: Aside from your professional achievements, have you been able to benefit from the support you received from Sweden in any other way?
Dr Kivumbi: In Sweden, most people have a hands-on approach to life. Most people do their own chores at home and yet in Uganda, we employ people to do household work. Since I came back from Sweden, I am a hands-on person, getting involved in all aspects of my home, such as crafts, gardening, homecare, I make flower vases at home. It is fulfilling when people complement the work of my hands. I also became used to being alone while I was in Sweden, and that has helped me here as well to be independent.
Andrew: Do you have anything else you would like to share with us?
Dr Kivumbi: I have enjoyed interacting with the staff at the International Science Program and have received so many benefits and opportunities. I have opened up to giving back to the community and I will try and continue to give as freely as I have received support from Sweden. I was assisted and lifted high by this support, and I am forever grateful to Sida and the people and government of Sweden.
Compiled by Andrew Byaruhanga, Communications Officer - Embassy of Sweden in Kampala
