Dr. Sam Okware is the Director-General of the Uganda National Health Research Organization; he regulates epidemiological, biomedical and social research in HIV/AIDS.

He holds a PhD in emerging new infections and has got 25 years of experience in the management of public health services. When the HIV AIDS pandemic emerged he was the Director responsible for Public Health and communicable disease control in the Ministry of Health, Uganda. He coordinated the early containment of HIV AIDS in the country.

He is known for his pioneering work and research on HIV/AIDs. He led the development and implementation of the first national AIDS control program in Africa, which remains the basis of AIDS control in the region. The program was associated with a remarkable decline in the HIV prevalence from 18% to 6% in Uganda. Community-based programs for schools, religious and civil society were critical elements of these interventions.

Dr. Okware coordinated the evolution of the AIDS Support Organization (TASO) and UWESO for orphans. From 2017 to 2020 he was Chairman of the national HIV Prevention Committee composed of various partners and stakeholders at the Uganda AIDS Commission.

Earlier during his career, he coordinated the implementation of public health, maternal, child health and nutrition, HIV/AIDS/malaria/tuberculosis disease control programs and implementation of strategies for AIDS, environmental sanitation, safe motherhood, nutrition, and disability.

Dr. Okware has international experience, particularly in the field of AIDS and emerging infections. He has served as a consultant for WHO and assisted in the Midterm AIDS program evaluation in East and Central Africa.

Since 2011 he was a member of the WHO Expert Committee on Research and Development. His research interests include infectious diseases, implementation research and climate change. He has published his works in peer-reviewed articles on Ebola, HIV/AIDS and public health. He has edited several books too- the latest being Advances on Ebola Control.

He has mobilized and managed large grants. He received the highest award from the Parliament of Uganda for his exceptional contribution to HIV/AIDS prevention and Ebola control. He also got several international awards for a similar contribution.