Dr. Angwech Harriet

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Harriet Angwech is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology where she doubles as the Graduate Coordinator, Faculty of Science at Gulu University. She is a multidisciplinary researcher whose work sits at the intersection of parasitology, public health, veterinary science, and insect science, with a strong regional focus on Northern Uganda. Her research integrates elements of One Health to address complex health challenges affecting humans, livestock, and ecosystems. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Technology and Biotechnology (Animal Welfare and Biotechnology) from University of Molise, Italy and an MSc in Zoology (Parasitology option) from Makerere University. She was also a fellow under the VIB International Plant Biotechnology Outreach (VIB-IPBO) Open Doors Fellowship Programme of Ghent University, where she advanced her research interests in parasitology, sustainable livestock health, and ethnoveterinary approaches to worm management.

Dr. Angwech is currently the Principal Investigator of the WORMTRANSFORMER project, an interdisciplinary initiative aimed at improving worm management in livestock through the validation of ethnoveterinary deworming practices used by farming communities in Northern Uganda. The project integrates indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches to promote sustainable and locally adaptable parasite control strategies.

Qualifications

Institution Period Degree obtained
Università degli Studi del Molise, Italy 2018 PhD Agricultural Technology and Biotechnology
(Curr. Animal Welfare and Biotechnology)
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda 2012 Master of Science in Zoology (Parasitology Option)
Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda 2006 Bachelor of Science with Education (Biological)

Research Interests

Dr. Harriet Angwech’s broader research interests include:
a) Neglected tropical diseases and emerging infectious diseases
b) Veterinary and medical parasitology
c) Vector ecology and disease transmission
d) Food safety and sustainable food systems
e) Ethnoveterinary medicine and indigenous knowledge systems
f) Edible insects and insect farming technologies
g) One Health approaches to disease control and environmental health
h) Community-based and participatory

Publications

Apio, E., Angwech, H., Opio, B., Okwir, G., Opoke, R., Malinga, G. M., & Opiro, R. (2026). . (2026) . Utilization of malaria control interventions and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Lira City, Northern Uganda . BMC Public Health, [online] Volume 26(1251). Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-026-26899-z
Byagamy, J. P., Opiro, R., Angwech, H., Nyafwono, M., Malinga, G. M., Echodu, R., & Odongo-Aginya, E. I. (2025) . (2025) . Prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of schistosomiasis and intestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in northern Uganda: Implications for public health interventions . PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, [online] Volume 19(12). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013827
Were, R., Opio, A., Kagenda, G. A., Malinga, G. M., & Angwech, H. (2025). . (2025) . Prevalence and risk factors associated with Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs in Oyam district, Uganda . PLOS Neglected Tropical Disease, [online] Volume 19(12). Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013776
Ocaya, J. , Arwenyo, B. , Ongwech, A. , Nnamuyomba, P. , Angwech, H. , Awor, S. , Kanis, D. , Kigozi, M. and Kisitu, J. (2025) . (2025) . Immobilization of TNT and RDX Explosives from Contaminated Soil at Demining Sites in Amuru District, Northern Uganda, Using Rice Husk Biochar . Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 13(11)
Malinga, G.M., Angwech, H., Alemu, M.H. et al. (2025) . (2025) . Strides in farming edible African bush cricket, Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in East Africa: a systematic review of rearing protocols . Int J Trop Insect Sci, [online] Volume 45, pp. 2589–2606. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42690-025-01561-0
Alaroker MF, Twongyirwe R, Nyeko P, Sengendo F, Anu V, Massa B, Angwech H, Malinga GM, Van Miert S. (2025) . (2025) . Local knowledge, perception and practices regarding edible insects among different ethnic groups in Northern Uganda . J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 21(45)
R.Mwesige, J.Poul Byagamy, R.Opiro, H.Angwech, D.Onanyang, P.Buchen Ocen, S.Ochaya, G.Maxwell Malinga . (2025) . Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern Uganda . Malaria Journal, p. 11
Sengendo, F., Egonyu, J. P., Valtonen, A., Noyens, I., Angwech, H., Alaroker, M. F., ... & Van Miert, S. (2025). . (2025) . Growth, survival and nutritional composition of the edible long-horned Grasshopper Ruspolia differens (Serville) reared on diets from oil seed by-products . International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 45, pp. 2575–2588
Sengendo, F., Egonyu, J. P., Valtonen, A., Noyens, I., Angwech, H., Alaroker, M. F., ... & Van Miert, S. (2025). . (2025) . Supplementation of maize bran with either sunflower or oil palm seed cakes improves growth and nutritional value of the edible house cricket (Acheta domesticus) , pp. 590-602
Ocaya, J., Arwenyo, B., Ongwech, A., Nnamuyomba, P., Opio, A., Angwech, H., & Kisitu, J. (2025) . (2025) . Organic Explosive Residues from Demining Sites in Amuru District, Northern Uganda. . Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 13(3)
Opeto, C. D., Angwech, H., Ongwech, A., Abola, B., Odongo, S., & Malinga, G. M. (2024). . (2024) . Haemonchosis in Small Ruminants Under Traditional Husbandry Systems in Apac District, Northern Uganda . Journal of Parasitology Research
Harriet Angwech (2023). . (2023) . Career experience of women in STEM in Uganda . In: Nyadoi, P., Mbabazi, F. K., Nachuha, A. P. S., & Thomson, J. (2023). , Career growth for Uganda’s women and girls in sciences, the challenges, opportunities and experiences ISBN: 978-9914-745-40-5
Opiro, R., Opoke, R., Angwech, H., Nakafu, E., Oloya, F. A., Openy, G., ... & Opiyo, E. A. (2021) . (2021) . Apparent density, trypanosome infection rates and host preference of tsetse flies in the sleeping sickness endemic focus of northwestern Uganda , p. 12
Harriet Angwech , Siria Tavaniello, Acaye Ongwech, Achileo N. Kaaya, and Giuseppe Maiorano (2019) . (2019) . Efficacy of In Ovo Delivered Prebiotics on Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Gut Health of Kuroiler Chickens in the Face of a Natural Coccidiosis Challenge
Baana K., Angwech H. and G. M. Malinga. (2018) . (2018) . Ethnobotanical survey of plants used as repellents against housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) in Budondo Subcounty, Jinja District, Uganda . Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 14(34)
Kagenda GA and Angwech H (2018) . (2018) . Cross-sectional prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in cattle in Lira District, Uganda . Tropical Animal Health and Production, 50
Tavaniello S., Mucci R., Ongwech A., Slawinska A., Angwech H., Maiorano, G. 2017 . (2017) . Effect of prebiotic in ovo injection on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of broiler chickens. The XXIX International Poultry Science symposium PB WPSA , pp. 18-20
Maiorano G., H. Angwech, D. Di Memmo, A. Wilkanowska, R. Mucci, C. Abiuso, S. Tavaniello. (2016) . (2016) . Effects of intramuscular vitamin E multiple injection on quality, oxidative stability and consumer acceptability of meat from Laticauda lambs fed under natural rearing conditions . Small Ruminant Research, [online] Volume , pp. 52-59. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921448816301158?via%3Dihub
Acaye O., Tavaniello S., Wilkanowska A., Mucci R., Angwech H., Maiorano G (2016, Abstract) . (2016) . The effects of rearing system and intramuscular Vitamin E injection on growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens The 4th International Scientific Conference “Animal Biotechnology” Slovak J. Anim , pp. 160-171
Angwech H, Nyeko J. H, Opiyo E.A, Okello-Onen J, Opiro R, Echodu R, Malinga G. M, Njahira M.N, Skilton R.A. (2015) . (2015) . Heterogeneity in the prevalence and intensity of bovine trypanosomiasis in the districts of Amuru and Nwoya, Northern Uganda . BCM Veterinary Research, p. 8
Angwech H, JB Kaddu and JHP Nyeko. (2011) . (2011) . Tick-borne parasites of domestic ruminants in Gulu district, Uganda: Prevalence varied with the intensity of management . Journal of veterinary research, 4(2), pp. 28 – 33

Projects

Improved worm management for improved goat production, sustainable livelihood and food security in vulnerable populations in northern Uganda (WORMTRANSFORMER)
    Angwech Harriet - Role: Principal Investigator
Towards sustainable harvesting of African edible bush-cricket (Ruspolia differens) for enhancing food security and rural livelihoods in East Africa
    Angwech Harriet - Role: Post-doctoral Researcher
Factors influencing transition of children from primary to secondary schools in Gulu district
    Angwech Harriet - Role: Co-Principal Investigator, PI: Dr. Denis T. Ofoyuru
Mainstreaming the biofarming system in Ugandan and Ethiopian higher education institutions (FED/2013/320-189, EU-ACP EDULINK II)
    Angwech Harriet - Co-Principal Investigator and Coordinator, Gulu University, Uganda
The use of molecular diagnostic methods in the study of trypanosome infections in post-conflict districts of Amuru, Adjumani and Moyo, Northern Uganda
    Angwech - Graduate student/Field Investigator

Supervision

Dr. Angwech has supervised over 20 graduate students, both within and outside Gulu university, to completion.
1. Oloya Joseph (15/U/2139/MEP) Recovery of fruit-feeding butterfly communities in Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda. Status: graduated

2. Dramwi Mathias (16/U/MEP/2723) Tsetse fly abundance and trypanosome infection rates in Itirikwa Subcounty, Adjumani District, Northwest Uganda. Status: graduated

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