Kilama Justine Luwa (PhD)

Lecturer

Dr. Justine Kilama Luwa is an Environmental Scientist, Climate Change Researcher, University Lecturer, and Academic Leader with over sixteen years of university teaching, research, academic administration, and community engagement experience. He currently serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gulu University, Uganda, where he contributes to teaching, postgraduate supervision, research, and institutional development.

His interdisciplinary research integrates climate science, geography, geo-informatics, hydrology, ecology, environmental health, and natural resource management to address complex environmental and public health challenges facing developing countries. His work focuses on understanding how climate variability, land use and land cover dynamics, and environmental change influence ecosystem functioning, water resources, biodiversity, and disease transmission, thereby supporting evidence-based policy and sustainable development.

Dr. Luwa holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences from Makerere University, a Master of Science in Water Resources and Livelihoods Security from Linköping University, Sweden, and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry from Makerere University.

Throughout his academic career, he has established himself as an active researcher with peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognized journals covering climate variability, hydrological modelling, land use and land cover change, environmental sustainability, water quality, and disease ecology. His research increasingly applies geospatial technologies, climate modelling, and interdisciplinary approaches to investigate environmental determinants of public health, including vector-borne diseases within a One Health framework.
Beyond research, Dr. Luwa has demonstrated sustained leadership in higher education through academic administration, curriculum delivery, postgraduate supervision, grant acquisition, community engagement, and international collaboration. He previously served as Head of the Department of Biology at Gulu University, providing strategic academic leadership while strengthening departmental governance, research culture, and collaborative partnerships.

His commitment to translating research into societal impact is reflected in extensive community outreach initiatives across Northern Uganda, where he provides technical guidance on climate change adaptation, environmental conservation, and resilience building for local communities, development partners, and educational institutions.

Dr. Luwa is committed to producing high-quality interdisciplinary research that contributes to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, ecosystem conservation, and improved public health while supporting Uganda’s national development priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Qualifications

Institution Period Degree obtained
Makerere University, Uganda 2016 to 2024 PhD in Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences
Linköping University, Sweden 2006 to 2008 MSc in Water Resources and Livelihoods Security
Makerere University, Uganda 2000 to 2005 BSc (Industrial Chemistry)

Research Interests

Climate Change Science and Adaptation; Environmental Management; Environmental Health; One Health; GIS and Remote Sensing; Hydrology and Water Resources; Watershed Management; Climate Variability; Land Use and Land Cover Change; Environmental Impact Assessment; Biodiversity Conservation; Landscape Ecology; Natural Resource Management; Sustainability Science; Disease Ecology; Vector-Borne Diseases

Publications

Kilama Luwa, J., Mwanjalolo Majaliwa, J. G., Bamutaze, Y., Pilesjö, P., & Bagula Mukengere, E. (2025) . (2025) . SWAT simulation of streamflow in Sironko catchment on Mt. Elgon, Eastern Uganda . Journal of Applied Water Engineering and Research, 13(3), pp. 236-250
Kilama Luwa, J., Majaliwa, J. G. M., Bamutaze, Y., Wasswa, D., Pilesjö, P., & Espoir, B. (2025) . (2024) . Intensity analysis applied to land use and land cover change and transitions in a fragile tropical mountain environment: a case of sironko catchment on Mt. Elgon, Eastern Uganda . African Geographical Review, 44(1), pp. 87-107
Oriangi, G., Mukwaya, P. I., Luwa, J. K., Emmanuel, M., Maxwell, M. G., & Bamutaze, Y. (2024). . (2024) . Variability and Changes in Climate in Northern Uganda . Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 3(1), pp. 81-97
Kilama Luwa, J., Majaliwa, J. G. M., Bamutaze, Y., Kabenge, I., Pilesjo, P., Oriangi, G., & Bagula Mukengere, E. (2021) . (2021) . Variabilities and trends of rainfall, temperature, and river flow in Sipi Sub-Catchment on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, Uganda , p. 1834
Kilama Luwa, J., Bamutaze, Y., Majaliwa Mwanjalolo, J. G., Waiswa, D., Pilesjö, P., & Mukengere, E. B. (2021) . (2020) . Impacts of land use and land cover change in response to different driving forces in Uganda: evidence from a review . African Geographical Review, 40(4), pp. 378-394
Odongo-Aginya, E. I., Olia, A., Luwa, K. J., Nagayasu, E., Auma, A. M., Egitat, G., ... & Horii, T. (2017) . (2017) . Wuchereria bancrofti infection at four primary schools and surrounding communities with no previous blood surveys in northern Uganda: the prevalence after mass drug administrations and a report on suspected non-filarial endemic elephantiasis . Tropical medicine and health, [online] Volume 45(1). Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41182-017-0060-y

Projects

Supervision

1. PhD (3 ongoing) Major Research Areas: Climate Change, Renewable Energy, GIS & Remote Sensing, Wildlife Conservation, Natural Resource Governance
2. Master’s (4 completed 6 ongoing) Major Research Areas: Climate Change, Environmental Management, Waste Management, Environmental Health, Agriculture, Drought, Apiculture
3. Undergraduate numerous (both completed and ongoing) Major Research Areas: Ecology, Environmental Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change, Public Health, Water Resources etc.

More Information

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP

Leadership Appointments

Position Institution Period
Head, Department of Biology Gulu University 2011–2014
Lecturer Department of Biology, Gulu University 2010–Present

Administrative Responsibilities

Area Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership Departmental planning and implementation
Human Resource Management Staff supervision and mentoring
Academic Administration Curriculum review and implementation
Quality Assurance Examination coordination and moderation
Research Leadership Research coordination and postgraduate training
Financial Management Departmental budgeting and resource allocation
Student Affairs Academic advising and student support

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Role Institution / Organisation
Climate Change and Adaptation Technical Advisor Aid Africa Uganda
Technical Advisor (Environment & Climate Change) ENVITA Uganda
WASH Coordinator EcoSan Club Consulting (U) Ltd

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Activity Contribution
Climate change adaptation Community resilience training across Northern Uganda
Environmental education Public awareness and environmental conservation programmes
Student field training Field-based experiential learning in Budongo Forest and the Albertine Rift
School governance Chairperson (Academic Affairs), PTA, Forevergreen Nursery and Primary School, Gulu City

RESEARCH IMPACT AND ACADEMIC PROFILE

Research Metrics

Indicator Value
Peer-reviewed journal articles 6
Total citations 73
h-index 3
i10-index 2
International research collaborations 4 countries
Competitive international awards 3