Dr Catherine Lutalo Mwesigwa, BDS (Mak),MSc (Mak), MDPPH (UWA), PhD (UWC)
Senior Lecturer,
Dental Public Health Specialist
School: Dentistry
Department: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Catherine Lutalo Mwesigwa is a Dental Public Health Specialist and academic leader with over 17 years of experience in higher education, research, and policy. She is currently a Senior Lecturer and Acting Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Makerere University, where she provides strategic leadership in curriculum development, faculty management, and research mentorship.
Dr. Mwesigwa holds a PhD in Dental Public Health from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, a Master of Science in Human Anatomy from Makerere University, and a Master of Dental Public and Primary Health from the University of Western Australia. She is also a Fellow of the South African FAIMER Regional Institute (SAFRI) in Health Professions Education.
Her research has spanned key public health themes including nutrition, early childhood development, HIV and oral health, dental workforce planning, and health systems integration. She has led or co-led several national research and innovation grants, such as the NutriLearn project on digital nutrition education and Uganda’s national dental workforce analysis. Her work continues to inform national oral health strategies and policies.
In addition to her academic and research portfolio, Dr. Mwesigwa has served as Deputy Dean of the School of Dentistry with responsibilities for academics, procurement, and resource planning—including oversight of procurement processes for dental materials and supplies. She has chaired or led several key school committees including academic programs, finance and administration, and higher degrees.
She is recognized for her contribution to curriculum review, student mentorship, and capacity building in both undergraduate and postgraduate dental education. Her teaching spans dental public health, human anatomy, oral biology, and health systems. Dr. Mwesigwa has engaged in collaborative work with institutions in the USA, South Africa, and Australia.
Dr. Mwesigwa remains committed to driving academic excellence, health equity, and research-informed policy in Uganda’s oral health sector.
Research
Social Media
- X: @cathymwesi
- LinkedIn: @cathy-mwesigwa-6b4381b4