J C Kiwanuka fare thee well (weraba) - Some of the students taught by the Late J C

Dr. Alex Muganzi
Dr Alex Muganzi’s earliest childhood memory is not any different from other toddlers’. He, like many of them, started his journey to Bweranyangi Boarding Primary School with tears and often it ended in tears.
He didn’t like the school. But the calm doctor had to complete his primary studies from there. Interestingly, after so many years, Muganzi says it’s his stay at this remote school in Bushenyi that nurtured his life and propelled his desire to become a doctor.
Born 33 years ago to the late Godfrey Muganga Kabirisi and Proscovia Asiimwe, Muganzi was, in May, elected Africa’s regional representative to the International AIDS Society (IAS) Governing Council, a conglomeration of HIV/AIDS experts and workers worldwide.
To grab the accolade, Muganzi trounced 14 leading HIV professionals from across Africa. He told The Observer that the accolade is a great honour to Uganda, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Mulago Hospital, his employers and family.
Described by his peers as a “gentleman”, Muganzi says that hard work, diligence and passion for his work are three tenets that have shaped his success. He arrives at work at 7a.m, prays to God for guidance before he embarks on the day’s tasks. He also emphasizes teamwork as a compliment to hard work. “Nothing comes on a silver platter,” he says.
HIV FIELD
Muganzi, an orphan who beat all odds to emerge the best student at Ntare School at O’level, says he picked interest in the HIV field in order to revenge against the disease. It had claimed his family.
He told The Observer that he felt he had to be part of the solution for HIV/AIDS. Muganzi, who joined St. Mary’s College Kisubi for high school, later joined Makerere University Medical School from where he graduated in 2001.
Muganzi was posted to Arua Regional Referral Hospital, but he worked with Medecins Sans Frontieres, (Doctors without Borders) as the national doctor. He says MSF used to offer free antiretroviral drugs to HIV/AIDS patients.
The experience during the two years in Arua greatly contributed to his professional success.
He returned to Mulago in 2004 as a Senior Medical Officer at the IDI. He is currently IDI’s project manager of a CDC funded project expanding HIV/AIDS care to Kiboga, Kibaale, Kyankwanzi, Hoima, Masindi and Buliisa.
It is while working at this institute that he earned a master’s degree in Public Health and attended various training sessions related to HIV treatment and research. He also has attained the Arthur Ashe HIV/AIDS Clinical Fellowship for International Health Care Workers from New York, USA.
“The HIV field is dynamic and those of us involved in HIV treatment, prevention, training and research must keep up with the rapid changes through regular trainings or else you are left behind,” he said.
FAMILY MAN
But doesn’t his family miss him? His work and studies over the last seven years have taken him to all the continents of the world.
“My family knows that all the career development I do is beneficial to them,” he said.
He is married to Joyce and blessed with two children, Trevor and Tricia.
Who is that one person he looks up to? It is his late grandmother, Jovanisi Nakalanzi Kabirisi.
He attributes his outlook to life to her; she taught him the principles which guide his life up to date.
Muganzi told The Observer that his election to the governing council is recognition of Uganda’s committed fight against HIV. Uganda is the first country in Africa to have openly come out to declare war on HIV.
What is the IAS?
It is “the world’s leading independent association of HIV professionals with 14,481 members from 190 countries.” The IAS contributes to HIV/AIDS prevention and control by convening the world’s foremost international conferences on HIV and AIDS, providing critical platforms for presenting new research, promoting dialogue and building consensus.
It also promotes dialogue, education and networking, and provides access to best practice, professional development and skills building. The society advocates the right to an evidence-based response to HIV.
Muganzi will serve on the IAS governing council as Africa regional representative for four years.