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Dr Andrew Abaasa

Associate Professor

MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit
Plot 51-59, Nakiwogo Road Entebbe
Entebbe
Uganda

Tel.
+256 417 7044000
Andrew Joined the School in 2022, and is the Head of Statistics and Data at the school’s MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. Prior to joining the School, Andrew worked at the MRC Unit in Uganda for over 15 years. He studied Statistics for his undergraduate, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics for MSc, and Epidemiology and Population Health for PhD at LSHTM.

Andrew never wanted to be a banker but banking was seemingly the only available Job when he completed his undergraduate training. Lack of career guidance in Africa makes a lot of bends in one’s career. At high school, Andrew loved and excelled in mathematics but could not connect his performance in math to any career. By the time he completed undergraduate training, he had never heard of Medical Statistics. It was in 2005 when he linked up with Professor Jim Todd at LSHTM through a reference for a Medical Statistics career, like they say the rest is history. Jim went on to supervise his MSc and PhD and developed a father-son relationship.

Affiliations

MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit

Teaching

Andrew teaches Epidemiology and Medical Statistics within and beyond the LSHTM family. With colleagues at MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, he organizes, beginners, intermediate and advanced courses in Epidemiology, Medical Statistics, Study Designs and data management.

Research

Andrew’s research interest is in the design, conduct and analysis (DCA) of randomised controlled trials. He has keen interest in DCA of trials in the era of widespread use of active controls in HIV preventions field. He has collaborated on many intervention trials and observational studies in Africa working with European and American partners. His major area of work has been in early to late phase intervention studies in HIV (vaccines, PrEP, vaginal microbicides etc.) and of late SARS-CoV-2 (vaccines). Lately, he has developed interest in research in adolescents’ health.

Selected Publications

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among Female Sex Workers in Kampala Uganda
Ssemakula, DM; BALINDA, SN; MAYANJA, Y; Kamacooko, O; ABAASA, A; SEELEY, J;
2025
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
COVID-19 vaccination status and associated factors among patients presenting with COVID-19-like symptoms in Uganda.
KUSEMERERWA, S; Ankunda, V; Ongaria, TA; ABAASA, A; Kakande, A; Ssemwanga, D; Kimbugwe, G; Nayiga, B; Bosa, HK; Driwale, A; Woldemariam, YT; Kisakye, A; Humphreys, J; Worwui, AK; Cohuet, S; Mwenda, JM; ELLIOTT, AM; KALEEBU, P; RUZAGIRA, E;
2025
Vaccine
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection among symptomatic COVID-19 patients in Uganda.
ABAASA, AM; KUSEMERERWA, S; Ankunda, V; Ongaria, TA; Nayiga, B; Kakande, A; Ssemwanga, D; Kimbugwe, G; Bosa, HK; Woldemariam, YT; Kisakye, A; Humphreys, J; Worwui, AK; Cohuet, S; Mwenda, JM; ELLIOTT, AM; KALEEBU, P; RUZAGIRA, E;
2025
Vaccine
Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Uganda in the Era of COVID-19 Vaccination.
BBOSA, N; Kiiza, R; Ssekagiri, A; Namagembe, HS; Nabirye, SE; Kabuuka, D; Rwankindo, C; Kisakye, A; Woldemariam, YT; KUSEMERERWA, S; Ongaria, TA; Kakande, A; ABAASA, A; Kimbugwe, G; Bosa, HK; Driwale, A; Mwenda, JM; Worwui, AK; Humphreys, J; Cohuet, S; ELLIOTT, AM; RUZAGIRA, E; KALEEBU, P; Ssemwanga, D;
2024
Viruses
Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals a High Frequency of HIV-1 Minority Variants and an Expanded Drug Resistance Profile among Individuals on First-Line ART.
Nannyonjo, M; Omooja, J; Bugembe, DL; BBOSA, N; Lunkuse, S; Nabirye, SE; Nassolo, F; Namagembe, H; ABAASA, A; Kazibwe, A; KALEEBU, P; Ssemwanga, D;
2024
Viruses
Non-uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and reasons for non-uptake among healthcare workers in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.
Kyakuwa, N; ABAASA, A; Mpooya, S; Kalutte, H; Atuhairwe, C; Perez, L; Kikaire, B;
2024
BMC health services research
Effectiveness of kangaroo mother care before clinical stabilisation versus standard care among neonates at five hospitals in Uganda (OMWaNA): a parallel-group, individually randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation.
Tumukunde, V; Medvedev, MM; TANN, CJ; Mambule, I; PITT, C; OPONDO, C; Kakande, A; Canter, R; Haroon, Y; Kirabo-Nagemi, C; ABAASA, A; Okot, W; Katongole, F; Ssenyonga, R; Niombi, N; NANYUNJA, C; ELBOURNE, D; GRECO, G; Ekirapa-Kiracho, E; NYIRENDA, M; ALLEN, E; Waiswa, P; LAWN, JE; OMWaNA Collaborative Authorship Group,;
2024
Lancet
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