Dr. Michael Lubwama, Ph.D

Areas of Research Interest: Bioplastics, Natural fiber-reinforced plastics, Biofuels, Energy modelling, Diamond-like carbon thin films

Dr. Michael Lubwama is passionate about valorization of waste materials into novel materials including briquettes, activated carbons, bioplastics, and natural fiber-reinforced plastics. Dr. Lubwama has published extensively in peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings in these fields of research. Dr. Lubwama has won numerous awards and research funding to pursue research in these areas. He teaches at both graduate and undergraduate level. He has supervised 5 PhDs and 12 master’s students to completion.

1. MakRIF Round 5, 2023 – 2024; Project: Sustainable development of bioplastic packaging from non-edible biomass for mitigation of environmental pollution; Role: Principal Investigator
2. MakRIF Round 5, 2023 – 2024; Project: Developing novel green ceramic floor tiles with rice husks and plastic wastes for sustainable market responsive construction materials production; Role: Co-Principal Investigator
3. HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-02-16; Project: Sustainable energy systems for refugees and host communities in Africa; Project Lead: Technical University of Berlin; Role: International Collaborator and Team Lead Makerere University Uganda
4. MISTI Global Seed Funds; Project: Participatory design of solutions to address solid waste management and energy challenges in Uganda; MIT Principal Investigator: Prof. D. Sweeney; Role: International Collaborator
5. Swedish Research Links; Project: Bioplastic development from agricultural residues in Uganda (2020-03725); Principal Investigator at KTH, Sweden: Prof. Minna Hakkarainen; Role: International Collaborator
6. Makerere University Research Innovation Fund; Project: Upcycling plastic wastes by incorporation of agricultural residues for the development of environmentally friendly products; Role: Principal Investigator
7. African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). Small Research Grants in Climate Change; Project: Investigating the relationship between charcoal/firewood emissions and ongoing changes in climate; Role: Principal Investigator
8. Volkswagen Foundation Senior Post-Doctoral Fellowship for African Researchers in Engineering Sciences; Project: Enhanced flame retardancy of bio-composite plastics developed with rice husks and clay fillers; Role: Principal Investigator
9. International Foundation for Science (IFS) IFS grant C/5663-1; Project: Development of rice and coffee husk briquettes as sustainable fuel sources for domestic cooking applications in Uganda; Role: Principal Investigator
10. Sida Small Research Grant; Project: Development of groundnut shells and bagasse briquettes as sustainable fuel sources for domestic cooking applications in Uganda; Role: Principal Investigator
11. Volkswagen Foundation Junior Post-doctoral Fellowship for African Researchers in Engineering Sciences; Project: Development of bio-composite polymers using rice and coffee husk agricultural waste; Role: Principal Investigator
12. Africa Center of Excellence in Materials, Product development and Nano-technology; Role: Deputy Center Leader; ACE II World Bank Project

1. Technical Committer member, Uganda National Bureau of Standards
2. Technical Committee member, National Expert group on Capacity building in the use of appropriate technology, Uganda Registration Services Bureau.
3. Curriculum Review Committee member UIPE/ERB
4. External Examiner, Dept. of Mechanical and production Engineering, Kyambogo University, Uganda
5. External Examiner, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Kampala International University, Uganda
6. External curriculum reviewer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mbarara University of Science and Technology
7. Short course tutor, Design of Experiment at Busitema University, Gulu University, and Kampala International University
8. Student mentor, The MasterCard Foundation Scholars program
9. Reviewer of several high impact factor journals including: Nanoscale, Applied Surface Science, Tribology International, Surface and Coatings Technology, Renewable Energy, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, etc

1. Valorisation of agricultural residues for sustainable development. Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi. 11^th December 2023.
2. Characteristics of hybrid DLC films deposited on nitrile rubber piston seals, MIT MechE Micro Nano Seminar, October 29^th, 2014.

1. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Investigation on char residues and mean reactivity of compression molded rice and coffee husks bio-char reinforced polypropylene. 5th Thermal and Fluids Engineering Conference (TFEC) April 5-8, 2020, New Orleans, LA, USA. American Society for Thermal and Fluids Engineering. TFEC-2020-32093
2. Vianney Andrew Yiga and Michael Lubwama. Thermal Stability of Compression molded rice and coffee husk fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. Proceeding of 14th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, pp 1461 – 1466. HEFAT 2019, Wicklow, Ireland, 22-24th July 2019.
3. Lubwama, Development of bio-composite polymers using rice and coffee husk agricultural wastes, International Selection Conference within the Africa Initiative of the Volkswagen Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships for African Researcher in the Engineering Sciences, April 26th – 29th, 2015, Nairobi-Kenya.
4. Lubwama, J.B. Kirabira, A. Sebbit, B. Corcoran, K. Sayers, Effects of Si incorporation on XPS, Tauc gap and nano-mechanical properties of hybrid Si-DLC films, Conference proceedings of the 9th Regional Collaboration Conference, July 20th – 23rd, 2014, Entebbe Uganda, pp 301 – 306.
5. Peter Wiberforce Olupot, Festo Lubwama, Lawrence Sekaluvu, Michael Lubwama, Effects of addition of sawdust and different adhesives on the properties of rice husk particle boards, Proceedings of the 9th Regional Collaboration Conference, July 20th – 23rd, 2014, Entebbe Uganda, pp 292 – 300
6. Lubwama, B. Corcoran, K. Sayers, J.B. Kirabira, A. Sebbit, K.A. McDonnell, D. Dowling, Role of Si-C Interlayer on the Properties of DLC and Si-DLC Films Deposited on Nitrile Rubber, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT), September 23rd – 25th, 2012, Wollongong Australia
7. Lubwama, B. Corcoran, K. Sayers, J.B. Kirabira, A. Sebbit, Closed Field Unbalanced Magnetron Sputtering Ion Plating of DLC and Si-DLC Films onto Nitrile Rubber, Proceedings of the 29th International Manufacturer’s Conference (IMC29), August 29th – 30th, 2012, Belfast, UK.
8. M. Lubwama, K. Sayers, J.B. Kirabira, B. Corcoran, Wear Mechanisms of Piston Seals for reciprocating handpumps for rural water supply, Proceedings of the Second international Conference on Advances in Engineering and Technology, January 30th -1st February, 2011, Kampala, Uganda

1. Victor Alirach, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot, Loyce Kukunda. Development and characterization of bio-sheets from sugarcane bagasse as a potential packaging material. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04689-6
2. A di-electrophoretic simulation procedure of iron-oxide micro-particle drug attachment system for Leukemia treatment using COMSOL software: a potential treatment reference for LMICs. Frontiers in Medical Technology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2023.1250964
3. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Andrew Nuwamaya, Agatha Birungi, Michael Lubwama, Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. Development of carbonized rice husks briquettes: Synergy between emissions, combustion, kinetics and thermodynamic characteristics. Energy Reports, 9, 2023, 19 – 36, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.05.066
4. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Thermal stability of NaOH modified rice husk fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites: Effect of rice husks and clay loading. Results in Materials, 2023, 100398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinma.2023.100398
5. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, James Opio, Emmanuel Menya, Denis Nono, Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. Production and characterization of paper from banana stem fiber: Optimization using box-behnken design (BBD). Journal of Natural Fibers 20 (1) (2023) 2192019. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2023.2192019
6. Ismail Kimuli, Gary Goldstein, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira, Adam Sebbit. Energy scenarios for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area towards a sustainable 2050: A TIMES-VEDA analysis. Smart Energy, 2023, 100099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segy.2023.100099
7. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Denis Karemani, Denis Bbosa, Emmanuel B. Olotu, Peter Wilberforce Olupot, Faith Natukunda. Prediction of tensile strength of biochar filled polylactic acid composites via box-behnken design. Journal of Engineering Research, 100142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jer.2023.100142
8. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Harreit Nalubega Lubwama, Ivan Ssempijja, Joseph Kihedu. Emissions and emission factors for Dichrostachys cinerea, Morus Lactea, Piliostigma thonningii, Combretum molle, and Albizia grandibracteata firewood species and their charcoals. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04005-2
9. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Pyrolysis, kinetics and thermodynamic analyses of rice husks/clay fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites using thermogravimetric analysis. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11927-y
10. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Moses Katamba, Michael Lubwama, Karin H. Adolfsson, Minna Hakkarainen. Combustion, kinetics and thermodynamic characteristics of rice husks and rice husk-biocomposites using thermogravimetric analysis. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 148 (21) 11435-11454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-023-12458-w
11. Kimuli Ismail, Michael Lubwama, John-Baptist Kirabira, Adam Sebbit. Development of a sustainable low-carbon footprint for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area: The efficacy of a TIMES/CGE hybrid framework. Energy Reports 9, 2023, 19-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.11.144
12. Herman Mbabali, Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Evans Were, Hillary Kasedde. Development of ricehusk and sawdust mycelium-based bio-composites: Optimization of mechanical, physical and thermal properties. Journal of The Institution of Engineering (India): Series D, 1 – 21, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40033-023-00458-x
13. Medard Turyasingura, Joel Wakatuntu, Michael Lubwama, Joseph Jjagwe, Oliver Hensel, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Optimization of eggshell-zeolite composite as a potential surfactant adsorbent for handwashing wastewater. Case studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering 7, 2023, 100284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2022.100284
14. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter W. Olupot. Thermal stability of NaOH modified rice husk fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites: Effect of rice husks and clay loading. Results in Materials 18, 100398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinma.2023.100398
15. Ismail Kimuli, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira, Adam Sebbit. A sustainable energy portfolio for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area towards the mid-century. Heliyon (2022) e11452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11452
16. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Silagi Wanambwa, Denis Bbosa, Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. Pyrolysis kinetics and combustion characteristics of local firewood species and charcoal produced by slow pyrolysis. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-02050-3
17. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Ivan Ssempijja, Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. Thermal and mechanical characteristics of local firewood species and resulting charcoal produced by slow pyrolysis, Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01840-z
18. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Harriet Nalubega Lubwama. Effects and interactions of the agricultural waste residues and binder type on physical properties and calorific values of carbonized briquettes. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 12(11) (2022) 4979-4999. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-01001-8
19. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Frank Muhairwe, Joseph Kihedu. Physical and combustion properties of agricultural residue bio-char bio-composite briquettes as sustainable domestic energy sources. Renewable Energy 148 (2020) 1002-1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.10.085
20. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Thermal and alkali modification of kaolin for potential utilization as filler material in fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11379-4
21. Ismail Kimuli, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira. Macroeconomic effects of a low carbon electrification of greater Kampala metropolitan area energy policy: A computable general equilibrium analysis. Energy Strategy Reviews 43, 2022, 100909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.100909
22. Filda Ayaa, John Baptist Kirabira, Xi Jiang.Potential of invasive shrubs for energy applications in Uganda. Energy, Ecology and Environment, 7, 2022, 563-576
23. Ronald Kayiwa, Hillary Kasedde, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira. Active pharmaceutical ingredients sequestrested from water using novel mesoporous activated carbon optimally prpepared from cassava peels. Water 14 (21) (2022) 3371
24. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Thermal stability of unmodified and alkali-modified rice husks for flame retardant fiber-reinforced PLA composites. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11311-w
25. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Thermal and alkali modification of kaolin for potential utilization as filler material in fiber-reinforced polylactic acid composites. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (2022) 1 – 27. https://doi.org/10/1007/s10973-022-11311-w
26. Henry Fenekansi Kiwumulo, Haruna Muwonge, Charles Ibingira, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira, Robert Tamale Ssekitoleko. Green synthesis and characterization of iron-oxide nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera: a potential protocol for use in low and middle income countries. BMC Research Notes (2022) 15:149, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-022-06039-7
27. Ronald Kayiwa, Hillary Kasedde, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira, Timothy Kayondo. Occurence and toxicological assessment of selected active pharmoceutical ingredients in effluents of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and wastewater treatment plants in Kampala, Uganda. Water Practice & Technology, 17 (4) (2022) 852, https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2022.024
28. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Sinja Pagel, Peter Wilberforce Olupot, Johannes Benz, Christian Bonten. Optimization of tensile strength of PLA/clay/ rice husk composites using Box-Behnken design. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01971-3
29. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Sinja Pagel, Johannes Benz, Peter Wilberforce Olupot, Christian Bonten. Flame retardancy and thermal stability of agricultural residue fiber-reinforced polylactic acid: A review. Polymer Composites 42 (1) (2021) 15-44, https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.25835
30. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Effect of alkaline surface modification and carbonization on biochemical properties of rice and coffee husks for use in briquettes and fiber-reinforced plastics. Journal of Natural Fibers 18 (2021) 620 – 629, https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2019.1642824
31. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Michael Lubwama, Peter Wilberforce Olupot. Characterization of rice husks as potential reinforcement for polymer composites. Materials Circular Economy (2021) 3: 16, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-021-00031-5
32. Vianney Andrew Yiga, Sinja Pagel, Michael Lubwama, Stefan Epple, Peter Wilberforce Olupot, Christian Bonten. Development of fiber-reinforced polypropylene with NaOH pretreated rice and coffee husks as fillers: Mechanical and thermal properties. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials 33(9) (2020) 1269-1291, https://doi.org/10.1177/0892705718823255
33. Ronald kayiwa, Hillary Kasedde, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira. Mesoporous activated carbon yielded from pre-leached cassava peels. Bioresources and Bioprocessing (2021) 8:53, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-021-00407-0
34. Ronald Kayiwa, Hillary Kasedde, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira. The potential for commercial scale production and application of activated carbon from cassava peels in Africa: A review. Bioresource Technology Reports 15 (2021) 100772, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2021.100772
35. Ronald Kayiwa, Hillary Kasedde, Michael Lubwama, John Baptist Kirabira. Characterization and pre-leaching effect on the peels of predominant cassava varieties in Uganda for production of activated carbon. Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry 4 (2021) 100083, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crgsc.2021.100083
36. Vianney Andrew Yiga and Michael Lubwama. Thermogravimetric analysis of agricultural residue carbonized briquettes for domestic and industrial applications. MRS Advances 5 (2020) 1039-1048, https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2019.485
37. Menya, P.W. Olupot, H. Storz, M. Lubwama, Y. Kiros, M.J. John. Effect of alkaline pretreatment on the thermal behavior and chemical properties of rice husk varieties in relation to activated carbon production. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 139 (3) (2020) 1681-1691, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-019-08553-6
38. Menya, P.W. Olupot, H. Storz, M. Lubwama, Y.Kiros. Synthesis and evaluation of activated carbon from rice husks for removal of humic acid from water. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery pp 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-01158-2
39. Menya, P.W. Olupot, H. Storz, M. Lubwama, Y.Kiros, M.J. John. Optimization of pyrolysis conditions for char production from rice husks and its characterization as a precursor for production of activated carbon. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery 10 (1) (2020) 57-72, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-019-00399-0
40. Ssekatawa, D.K. Byarugaba, C.D. Kato, F. Ejobi, R. Tweyongyere, M. Lubwama. J.B. Kirabira, E.M. Wampande. Nanotechnological solutions for controlling transmission and emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, future prospects, and challenges: a systematic review. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 22 (2020) Article number 117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-020-04817-7
41. Musinguzi T.L., Yiga V.A., Lubwama M. Production of bio-composite polymers with rice and coffee husks as reinforcing fillers using a low cost compression molding machine. Journal of Engineering in Agriculture and the Environment 5 (2019) 61 – 72
42. Kayiwa, P.W. Olupot, M. Lubwama. Production and Potential of Activated Carbon from Cassava Peels for Remediation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients from Wastewater: A Review. Journal of Materials Science Research and Reviews 4 (4) (2019) 1-24. Article Number: 54428
43. Menya, P.W. Olupot, H. Storz, M. Lubwama, Y. Kiros, Production and performance of activated carbon from rice husks for removal of natural organic matter from water: A review, Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 129 (2018) 271-296
44. Menya, P.W. Olupot, H. Storz, M. Lubwama, Y. Kiros. Characterization and alkaline pre-treatment of rice husk varieties in Uganda for potential utilization as precursors in the production of activated carbon and other value added products, Waste Management 81 (2018) 104-115
45. Michael Lubwama, Vianney Andrew Yiga, Characteristics of briquettes developed from rice and coffee husks for domestic cooking applications in Uganda, Renewable Energy, 118 (2018) 43-55
46. Lubwama and V.A. Yiga, Development of groundnut shells and bagasse briquettes as sustainable fuel sources for domestic cooking applications in Uganda, Renewable Energy 111 (2017) 532-542
47. Lubwama, B. Corcoran, K. Sayers, (Review or Critical Assessment) DLC films deposited on rubber substrates: A review, Surf. Eng. 31 (2015) 1 – 10.
48. Lubwama, B. Corcoran, J.B. Kirabira, A. Sebbit, K.A. McDonnell, D. Dowling, K. Sayers, Flexibility and frictional characteristics of DLC and Si-DLC films deposited on nitrile rubber, Surf. Coat. Technol. 239 (2014) 84-94
49. Lubwama, B. Corcoran, K.V. Rajani, C.S. Wong, J.B. Kirabira, A. Sebbit, K.A. McDonnell, D. Dowling, K. Sayers, Raman analysis of DLC and Si-DLC films deposited on nitrile rubber, Surf. Coat. Technol. 232 (2013) 521 – 527
50. Lubwama, K.A. McDonnell, J.B. Kirabira, A. Sebbit, K. Sayers, D. Dowling, B. Corcoran, Characteristics and Tribological Performance of DLC and Si-DLC Films Deposited on Nitrile Rubber, Surf. Coat. Technol. 206 (2012) 4585-4593
51. Lubwama, B. Corcoran, K. Sayers, J.B. Kirabira, A. Sebbit, K.A. McDonnell, D. Dowling, Adhesion and Composite Micro-hardness of DLC and Si-DLC films Deposited on Nitrile Rubber, Surf. Coat. Technol. 206 (2012) 4881-4886