Eng. Sekaya Ronald Triumphs in PhD Defense on Integrated Urban Services at Makerere University

Kampala, Uganda – January 23, 2026

Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) witnessed a landmark academic achievement on January 22, 2026, as Eng. Sekaya Ronald successfully defended his PhD thesis titled “Towards an Integrated Planning Framework for Water Supply, Sanitation, and Solid Waste Management Services in Ugandan Small Towns: Case of Kakooge.”

The defense, held at the CEDAT Conference Hall, attracted both physical and online participants, underscoring the significance of the research in addressing pressing urban service challenges in Uganda’s growing small towns. The session was chaired by Associate Professor Dorothy Okello, Dean of the School of Engineering, Makerere University.

Groundbreaking Research

Sekaya’s work proposes a holistic framework for integrating water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management three critical services often planned in isolation. By focusing on Kakooge Town, his study provides practical insights into sustainable urban service delivery, with potential applications across Uganda and beyond.

Supervisory Team

The research was guided by distinguished supervisory academicians:

1. Assoc. Prof. Charles Nuwagaba, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Makerere University.
2. Dr. Alex Y. Katukiza, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Makerere University.
3. Christopher Lüthi – Eawag/Sandec, Dübendorf, Switzerland.

Panel of Examiners

The defense panel included leading experts:

1. Prof. Frank Kansiime, Department of Environment Management, CAES, Makerere University.
2. Assoc. Prof. N. Kiggundu,  Department of Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering, CAES, Makerere University.
3. Eng. Dr. Martin Kalibala, National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
4. Dr. Philip Nyenje, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Makerere University.
5. Dr. Seith N. Mugume, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Makerere University.

 Opponent

The official opponent was Eng. Dr. Richard Joseph Kimwaga, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Water Resource Engineering, University of Dar-es-Salaam, who engaged Sekaya in a rigorous academic exchange.

Significance

The successful defense marks a major step in advancing integrated urban planning in Uganda. With small towns facing rapid population growth and increasing service demands, Sekaya’s framework offers a pathway toward sustainable, efficient, and resilient infrastructure management.

Makerere University continues to affirm its role as a hub for transformative research, producing scholars whose work addresses real-world challenges.

Editted by Pius Kikomeko and Harriet Musinguzi

Posted by Isemaghendera Alex, IT Officer, CEDAT

Photos taken by Pius Kikomeko