Rita Mwima Successfully Defends PhD Thesis on Malaria Vector Modeling
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) proudly announces that Ms. Rita Mwima has successfully defended her PhD thesis titled “Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Malaria Vector Propagation: A Tool for Evaluation of Novel Control Approaches.”
This was at her public PhD defense meeting held on February 4th, 2026.
The defense, moderated by the Dean of the School of Biosecurity, Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS), Dr. Claire Mark Mugasa, was convened in the College Conference Room on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, and attracted a diverse audience of both physical and online participants, underscoring the significance of her research in the fight against malaria.
Groundbreaking Research
Mwima’s study applies advanced mathematical modeling and simulation techniques to better understand malaria vector propagation. Her work provides a novel framework for evaluating emerging control strategies, offering policymakers and researchers new tools to strengthen public health interventions against one of the world’s most persistent diseases.
Supervisory Team
Her academic journey was guided by a distinguished team of supervisors that included;
- Dr. Jotham Kayondo – Uganda Virus Institute
- Dr. Anne Nanteza – College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity
- Prof. Austin Burt – Imperial College London
The defense was further enriched by the scholarly insights of the Discussant, Rev. Dr. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa from Uganda Christian University, who provided critical reflections on the work’s methodology and potential impact.
Significance
This milestone not only marks a personal achievement for Ms. Mwima but also strengthens Uganda’s contribution to global malaria research. Her findings are expected to inform both local and international efforts aimed at reducing malaria transmission and improving community health outcomes.
