Sam Ononge

School: Medicine
Department: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Dr. Sam Ononge is a senior lecturer and his research focus is on maternal morbidity and mortality. He has a broad background in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, clinical epidemiology, and Biostatistics, with more expertise in postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) prevention and treatment. As PI or Co-PI, He laid the groundwork for research in; antenatal distribution of misoprostol for prevention of PPH, introduction of Condom uterine balloon tamponade for treatment of PPH in LMIC. He was responsible for the day-to-day scientific and ethical oversight of the implementation of the project. He ably supervised research teams in duties and in compliance with good clinical practice. Maintained site regulatory files and prepared local Institutional Ethics Committee submissions. Worked closely with sponsor monitors and ensured prompt resolution of issues. He recently completed an implementation research project titled; “Strengthening Kampala’s urban referral system for maternal and newborn care through establishment of an emergency call and dispatch center”.

He successful administered the research arm of the project (research team, reflection meetings and collaborating with the implementing teams) and produced a peer reviewed article. As a result of these experiences, he has the necessary training, experience and motivation to successfully carry out the propose research project. He has training in leadership conducted by Chartered Management Institute of UK. As a leader, I have learned how to draw out contributions from the team players and make the best use of each member’s talents. I am good in coordinating a team and pay particular attention to what the members enjoy. He likes to encourage members of a team and help them to work together. He has strength in building better communication with others. He is Involved in training, mentorship, and supervision of both undergraduate and graduate students. I am a researcher and coordinate proposal development course and also a member of the School of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee. He is a clinician at Kawempe National Referral and Teaching Hospital. In 2022, the country revised the national management guidelines and adopted the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of first response bundle for treatment of PPH. Unfortunately, the last annual maternal and perinatal death reports show that PPH remains the leading (34%) cause of pregnancy-related deaths.

Research and Publications

  • Ononge S, Nakimuli A, Byamugisha J, Adroma M, Kiondo P, Easterling T, et al. Randomized trial to compare acceptability of magnesium sulphate administration for preeclampsia and eclampsia: Springfusor pump versus standard of care. PLoS One. 2024;19(6):e0286361
  • Ononge S, Magunda A, Balaba D, Waiswa P, Okello D, Kaula H, Zalwango S, Bua DA, Ayebare A, Kaharuza F et al: Strengthening Kampala’s Urban Referral System for Maternal and Newborn Care Through Establishment of an Emergency Call and Dispatch Center. Global Health: Science and Practice 2023.
  • Magunda, A., Ononge, S., Balaba, D., Waiswa, P., Okello, D., Kaula, H., . . . Bennett, C. (2023). Maternal and newborn healthcare utilization in Kampala urban slums: perspectives of women, their spouses, and healthcare providers. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 23(1), 321. doi:10.1186/s12884-023-05643-0
  • Mbalibulha, Y., Natukunda, B., Okwi, A. L., Kalyango, J. N., Isaac, K., & Ononge, S. (2022). Alloimmunization to Rh Antigen (D, C, E, C, E) Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in South Western Uganda. J Blood Med, 13, 747-752. doi:10.2147/JBM.S385737
  • Mpaata CN, Matovu B, Takuwa M, Kiwanuka N, Lewis S, Norrie J, Ononge S, Tuck S, Wolters M, Demulliez M et al: Systems and processes for regulation of investigational medical devices in Uganda. Front Med Technol 2022, 4:1054120
  • Namagembe, I., Kiwanuka, N., Byamugisha, J. K., Ononge, S., Beyeza-Kashesya, J., Kaye, D. K., . . . Nakimuli, A. (2022). Why mothers die at a busy tertiary urban hospital in Kampala, Uganda: a comprehensive review of maternal deaths 2016-2018 and implications for quality improvement to reduce deaths. Afr Health Sci, 22(2), 489-499. doi:10.4314/ahs.v22i2.57
  • Mbalibulha Y, Natukunda B, Livex OA, Ononge S, Kalyango JN, Kajja I. ABO and Rh Antigen Distribution Among Pregnant Women in South Western Uganda. J Blood Med. 2022;13:351-355. Published 2022 Jun 22. doi:10.2147/JBM.S360769
  • Byamugisha, J., Adero, N., Kiwanuka, T.S. Nalwadda C.K., Ntuyo P., Nabunya E., Nakirijja E., Mwadime-Ngolo R., Mukasa, D.C., Ononge S . The effect of blister packaging Iron and Folate on adherence to medication and hemoglobin levels among pregnant women at National Referral Hospital antenatal clinics in a low to middle income country: a Randomised Controlled Trial (The IFAd Trial). BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 22, 179 (2022).
  • Kiondo P, Nakimuli A, Ononge S, Wandabwa JN, Musaba MW. Predictors of Intrapartum Stillbirths among Women Delivering at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Int J MCH AIDS. 2021;10(2):156-165. doi: 10.21106/ijma.409. Epub 2021 Jul 31. PMID: 34386297; PMCID: PMC8346676.
  • Dey T, Ononge S, Weeks A, et al Immediate postnatal care following childbirth in Ugandan health facilities: an analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys between 2001 and 2016.BMJ Global Health 2021;6:e004230.
  • Anger HA, Durocher J, Dabash R, Hassanein N, Ononge S, Burkhardt G, Frye LJ, Diop A, Beye Diop SBM, Darwish E, Ramadan MC, Kayaga J, Charles D, Gaye A, Eckardt M, Winikoff B. Postpartum infection, pain and experiences with care among women treated for postpartum hemorrhage in three African countries: A cohort study of women managed with and without condom-catheter uterine balloon tamponade. PLoS One. 2021 Feb 8;16(2):e0245988. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245988. PMID: 33556104; PMCID: PMC7869979.
  • Mitchell, E.J., Benjamin, S., Ononge, S. et al. Identifying women giving birth preterm and care at the time of birth: a prospective audit of births at six hospitals in India, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 20, 439 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03126-0
  • Anger, H. A. Dabash, R. Durocher, J. Hassanein, N. Ononge, S. Frye, L. Diop, A. Beye Diop, S. Burkhardt, G. Darwish, E. Ramadan, M. C. Kayaga, J. Charles, D. Gaye, A. Eckardt, M. Winikoff, B. (2019) “The effectiveness and safety of introducing condom-catheter uterine balloon tamponade for postpartum hemorrhage at secondary level hospitals in Uganda, Egypt and Senegal: a stepped wedge, cluster-randomized trial.” BJOG DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15903
  • Ali, S. Byanyima, R. K. Ononge, S. Ictho, J. Nyamwiza, J. et al. (2018). Measurement error of mean sac diameter and crown-rump length among pregnant women at Mulago hospital, Uganda. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 18 (1) 129
  • Ditai, J., Frye, L. J., Durocher, J., Byrne, M. E., Ononge, S., Winikoff, B., & Weeks, A. D. (2017). Achieving community-based postpartum follow up in eastern Uganda: the field experience from the MamaMiso Study on antenatal distribution of misoprostol. BMC Res Notes, 10(1), 516. doi: 10.1186/s13104-017-2849-5
  • Kiwanuka, T. S., Ononge, S., Kiondo, P., & Namusoke, F. (2017). Adherence to iron supplements among women receiving antenatal care at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda-cross-sectional study. BMC Res Notes, 10(1), 510. doi: 10.1186/s13104-017-2834-z
  • Ononge, S., E. S. Okello, et al. (2016). "Excessive bleeding is a normal cleansing process: a qualitative study of postpartum haemorrhage among rural Uganda women." BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 16(1): 211
  • Kiguba, R., Ononge, S., Karamagi, C., & Bird, S. M. (2016). Herbal medicine use and linked suspected adverse drug reactions in a prospective cohort of Ugandan inpatients. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16, 145. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1125-x
  • Ononge S, Mirembe F, Wandabwa J, Campbell OM: Incidence and risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage in Uganda. Reprod Health 2016, 13:38.
  • Weeks AD, Ditai J, Ononge S, Faragher B, Frye LJ, Durocher J, Mirembe FM, Byamugisha J, Winikoff B, Alfirevic Z: The MamaMiso study of self-administered misoprostol to prevent bleeding after childbirth in rural Uganda: a community-based, placebo-controlled randomised trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2015, 15:219.
  • Ononge S, Campbell OM, Kaharuza F, Lewis JJ, Fielding K, Mirembe F: Effectiveness and safety of misoprostol distributed to antenatal women to prevent postpartum haemorrhage after child-births: a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2015, 15:315.
  • Beard E, Lewis JJ, Copas A, Davey C, Osrin D, Baio G, Thompson JA, Fielding KL, Omar RZ, Ononge S et al: Stepped wedge randomised controlled trials: systematic review of studies published between 2010 and 2014. Trials 2015, 16:353.
  • Ononge S, Karamagi C, Nakabiito C, Wandabwa J, Mirembe F, Rukundo GZ, Jennings L: Predictors of unknown HIV serostatus at the time of labor and delivery in Kampala, Uganda. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2014, 124(3):235-239.
  • Ononge S, Campbell O, Mirembe F: Haemoglobin status and predictors of anaemia among pregnant women in Mpigi, Uganda. BMC Res Notes 2014, 7:712.
  • Kaadaaga HF, Ajeani J, Ononge S, Alele PE, Nakasujja N, Manabe YC, Kakaire O: Prevalence and factors associated with use of herbal medicine among women attending an infertility clinic in Uganda. BMC Complement Altern Med 2014, 14:27.
  • Obol JH, Ononge S, Orach CG: Utilisation of insecticide treated nets among pregnant women in Gulu: a post conflict district in northern Uganda. Afr Health Sci 2013, 13(4):962-969.
  • Wandabwa J, Doyle P, Todd J, Ononge S, Kiondo P: Risk factors for severe post partum haemorrhage in Mulago hospital, Kampala, Uganda. East Afr Med J 2008, 85(2):64-71.
  • Weeks AD, Alia G, Ononge S, Otolorin EO, Mirembe FM: A criteria-based audit of the management of severe pre-eclampsia in Kampala, Uganda. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2005, 91(3):292-297; discussion 283-294.
  • Ononge S, Wandabwa J, Kiondo P, Busingye R: Clinical presentation and management of alleged sexually assaulted females at Mulago hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Afr Health Sci 2005, 5(1):50-54.
  • Weeks AD, Alia G, Ononge S, Mutungi A, Otolorin EO, Mirembe FM: Introducing criteria based audit into Ugandan maternity units. Qual Saf Health Care 2004, 13(1):52-55.
  • Weeks AD, Alia G, Ononge S, Mutungi A, Otolorin EO, Mirembe FM: Introducing criteria based audit into Ugandan maternity units. BMJ 2003, 327(7427):1329-1331. 32.Weeks AD, Ononge S: The magpie trial. Lancet 2002, 360(9342):1331; author reply 1331-1332.