Dr. Samuel Baker Obakiro, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Busitema University, has successfully completed the 2026 AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy held in Trieste, Italy.

The international course was organised by The World Academy of Sciences in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. It was held from 20 to 23 July 2026 and brought together scientists, policymakers, diplomats and decision-makers from different countries.

The AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy introduces participants to the relationship between scientific research, international cooperation and public policy. It also examines contemporary global issues relating to science, technology, health and the environment.

Established in 2014, the programme seeks to equip scientists and decision-makers with the knowledge and skills required to work at the intersection of science and diplomacy. It has trained more than 300 emerging leaders from over 50 countries.

In a post shared on X after completing the course, Dr. Obakiro expressed his delight at the achievement and thanked TWAS and AAAS for the opportunity to network with science diplomats from around the world.

His participation is particularly relevant to his work in public health, medicinal-product development and improving access to medicines. The knowledge and international connections gained through the programme are expected to support his engagement with researchers, policymakers and institutions working to address health and development challenges.

Dr. Obakiro is a pharmacologist and medicinal chemist serving as Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Busitema University.

His research interests include drug discovery and development from medicinal plants, with particular attention to tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus and cancer. He also conducts research in herbal medicine use and standardisation, antimicrobial resistance and toxicology.

Dr. Obakiro is the Principal Investigator of projects supported under the Presidential Scientific Initiative on Epidemics at Busitema University. These include the TAZCOV Project, which focuses on formulating and evaluating herbal products for the management of acute respiratory illnesses, and the GLUCOTAK Project, which focuses on the management of diabetes mellitus.

He also leads a BRIGHT Network-funded project aimed at increasing access to medicines in Eastern Uganda. In 2018, he served as Principal Investigator of a VLIR-UOS-funded project that focused on tracking and mapping antimicrobial resistance in Eastern Uganda.

Dr. Obakiro is the founder and Centre Leader of the Natural Products Research and Innovation Centre at Busitema University. The Centre supports research and innovation in natural products and the development of scientifically evaluated herbal medicines.

He has received awards and scholarships from several national and international organisations, including the International Foundation for Science, TWAS-ICCBS, ACEIIPTRE, RISE-AFNNET, MEPI-MESAU and the Government of Uganda.

He is also a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Natural Products Research for Eastern and Central Africa, the Uganda Pharmacological Society and the Natural Product Industry Advancement Network Africa.

Through his research, training and mentorship, Dr. Obakiro seeks to strengthen technical capacity in pharmacology and toxicology and contribute to improved healthcare and community transformation.

His completion of the AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy marks another important step in his professional journey and strengthens Busitema University’s participation in international scientific networks and discussions connecting research, innovation and public policy.