Dr. Fred Nalugoda is a renowned epidemiologist and public health expert with over 25 years of
experience in HIV prevention, care, and research. He holds a PhD in Epidemiology and
Biostatistics from Makerere University and a Master of Health Science (MHSc) from the Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to
advancing evidence-based health solutions across Uganda and the broader Sub-Saharan region.
Dr. Nalugoda serves as a senior investigator and Head of Grants, Science, and Training at the
Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP), where he has provided technical and administrative
leadership to numerous research initiatives. These include the long-running Rakai Community

Cohort Study (RCCS), randomized trials on intimate partner violence, male medical
circumcision, and studies on family planning and adolescent health. His work has played a
critical role in shaping Uganda’s HIV response and informing public health strategies globally.
A founding member of the Africa Medical and Behavioral Sciences Organization (AMBSO), Dr.
Nalugoda was instrumental in establishing the AMBSO Population Health Surveillance (APHS)
program, which monitors and improves community health outcomes. At AMBSO, he also
provides expert oversight on clinical research studies, data systems, and applications, ensuring
high standards of research integrity, procedural compliance, and impact. His technical leadership
continues to drive data-driven decision-making and innovation in health research.
Dr. Nalugoda has led pivotal studies on vulnerable populations, including adolescents, orphans,
and survivors of gender-based violence. Initiatives such as the Rakai Orphans in Communities
(ROC) study, the Structural and Social Transitions among Adolescents in Rakai (SSTAR), and
the Stylish Man/Stylish Living campaign underscore his commitment to addressing social
determinants of health and reaching underserved populations.
As a mentor and capacity builder, Dr. Nalugoda has secured and managed competitive research
and training grants, supported the analysis and utilization of research data, and mentored
students, fellows, and early-career scientists both locally and internationally. His collaborative
work with the Uganda Ministry of Health and global platforms such as the International
Epidemiological Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) has supported the national scale-up of
HIV services, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission in over 80 districts.
Dr. Nalugoda is also a prolific scholar with more than 380 peer-reviewed publications, widely
respected for translating research into policy and practice. His work continues to shape the field
of HIV epidemiology, strengthen public health systems, and inform strategies to improve
community well-being.
At CATRE, Dr. Nalugoda brings visionary leadership, scientific rigor, and a deep understanding
of health systems. His contributions are instrumental in advancing CATRE’s mission to end
human trafficking through trauma-informed, evidence-based research, prevention, and survivor-
centered interventions.