Dr. Joy Louise Gumikiriza-Onoria, a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, has been selected for the prestigious 2026–27 Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program.
Based at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the global fellowship brings together leaders across multiple disciplines to develop innovative, equitable solutions for brain health and dementia care worldwide. Dr. Gumikiriza-Onoria, who holds a PhD in Brain Health, is an accomplished academician and researcher whose expertise spans neuropsychology, mental health, cognitive functioning, behavioural science, and implementation research.
Uganda currently faces a rising prevalence of dementia, compounded by limited public awareness and a shortage of specialized care facilities. Dr. Gumikiriza-Onoria’s work directly addresses these challenges by focusing on dementia, HIV and aging, neuropsychology, and community-based interventions. Through her strategy of generating rigorous evidence and developing scalable interventions, she aims to enhance cognitive and mental health outcomes for older adults—particularly those aging with HIV—in sub-Saharan Africa.
As part of the 2026–27 cohort, Dr. Gumikiriza-Onoria joins 15 other incoming fellows at UCSF representing diverse fields including medicine, public health, advocacy, policy, and the arts. Together, they become part of a lifelong global network of more than 330 Atlantic Fellows spanning over 70 countries. Over the coming year, the fellows will collaborate across disciplines, hone their leadership skills, and design scalable approaches to reduce brain health inequities.
Through the fellowship, Dr. Gumikiriza-Onoria plans to establish key international partnerships to translate her research into practical, culturally relevant solutions. Her goal is to strengthen local brain health systems, support dementia caregivers, and improve healthy aging outcomes for vulnerable populations across Uganda and the broader African continent.