Onesmus Kamacooko is a biostatistician and quantitative researcher with extensive experience in statistical methodology, data analysis, and applied public health research. He has served on several Data Safety Monitoring Boards (DSMBs), providing critical oversight to ensure data quality, integrity, and participant safety in both observational and experimental studies. He has authored and co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications, reflecting a strong contribution to the advancement of biostatistics and epidemiological research. 

Onesmus has provided statistical leadership across multiple large-scale research projects, including work at the Medical Research Council/UVRI and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, where he supported a number of trials as a Statistician. Onesmus has developed research leadership and management skills while working on previous studies in various capacities such as a co-investigator (EDCTP award TMACDF2016-1574), lead statistician (EDCTP and IAVI Funded studies), and DSMB board member. Experienced in protocol development, questionnaire development, data visualization, data cleaning, teaching (research methodologies and statistics), and statistical analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets by drawing meaningful insights from the data. At the Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC), he has supported several key projects, including the development of the PfR scale, Statistical analysis of the UPRISE trial data, and analysis of Early Childhood Development (ECD) trial data. Onesmus is proficient in statistical software, including Stata,  R, SPSS, Excel, and Tableau and remains actively engaged in collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Currently, he is a PhD fellow at the School of Medicine, Department of Child Health and Development Centre, Makerere University.

Publications

Mpirirwe, R., Makabayi-Mugabe, R., Muteebwa, L., Kamacooko, O., Wamono, F., Kajumba, M. M., Nangendo, J., Semitala, F. C., Kyambadde, P., Davis, K. J., et al. (2025). Female sex worker preferences for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis delivery in Uganda: A discrete choice experiment. PLOS Global Public Health, 5(6), e0003848. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003848

Ssemakula, D., Balinda, S., Mayanja, Y., Kamacooko, O., Abaasa, A., & Seeley, J. (2025). Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda. Journal of Public Health in Africa.

Boering, P., Seeley, J., Buule, J., Kamacooko, O., & King, R. (2024). A comparison of self-reported condomless sex and Yc-DNA biomarker data from young women engaged in high risk sexual activity in Kampala, Uganda. AIDS and Behavior.

Kalungi, H., Kamacooko, O., Lunkuse, J. F., Namutebi, J., Naluwooza, R., Price, M. A., Ruzagira, E., & Mayanja, Y. (2024). Prevalence and factors associated with illicit drug and high-risk alcohol use among adolescents living in urban slums of Kampala, Uganda. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1724. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19250-x

Mayanja, Y., Kayesu, I., Kamacooko, O., Lunkuse, J. F., Muturi-Kioi, V., Price, M., Kosidou, K., & Ekström, A. M. (2024). Preference for novel biomedical HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis methods among adolescent girls and young women in Kampala, Uganda: A mixed methods study. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1369256. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1369256

Mpirirwe, R., Segawa, I., Ojiambo, K. O., Kamacooko, O., Nangendo, J., Semitala, F. C., Kyambadde, P., Kalyango, J. N., Kiragga, A., Karamagi, C., et al. (2024). HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake, retention and adherence among female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 14(4), e076545. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076545

Kitonsa, J., Kamacooko, O., Ruzagira, E., Nambaziira, F., Abaasa, A., Serwanga, J., Gombe, B., Lunkuse, J., Naluyinda, H., Tukamwesiga, N., et al. (2023). A phase I COVID-19 vaccine trial among SARS-CoV-2 seronegative and seropositive individuals in Uganda utilizing a self-amplifying RNA vaccine platform: Screening and enrollment experiences. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 19(2), 2240690. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2023.2240690

Mayanja, Y., Kamacooko, O., Lunkuse, J. F., Kyegombe, N., & Ruzagira, E. (2023). Prevalence, perpetrators, and factors associated with intimate partner violence among adolescents living in urban slums of Kampala, Uganda. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(13-14), 8197-8221. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605231155128

Namukisa, M., Kamacooko, O., Lunkuse, J. F., Ruzagira, E., Price, M. A., & Mayanja, Y. (2023). Incidence of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among adolescent girls and young women at risk of HIV infection in Kampala, Uganda. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 5, 1089104. https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2023.1089104

Kamacooko, O., Bagiire, D., Kasujja, F. X., Mirembe, M., Seeley, J., & King, R. (2022). Prevalence of probable depression and factors associated with mean Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) depression score among young women at high risk aged 15–24 years in Kampala, Uganda. PLOS ONE, 17(6), e0270544. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270544

Lunkuse, J. F., Kamacooko, O., Muturi-Kioi, V., Chinyenze, K., Kuteesa, M. O., Price, M. A., & Mayanja, Y. (2022). Low awareness of oral and injectable PrEP among high-risk adolescent girls and young women in Kampala, Uganda. BMC Infectious Diseases, 22(1), 425. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-022-07398-z

Mayanja, Y., Kamacooko, O., Lunkuse, J. F., Muturi-Kioi, V., Buzibye, A., Omali, D., Chinyenze, K., Kuteesa, M., Kaleebu, P., & Price, M. A. (2022). Oral pre‐exposure prophylaxis preference, uptake, adherence and continuation among adolescent girls and young women in Kampala, Uganda: A prospective cohort study. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 25(5), e25909. https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25909

Namale, G., Kamacooko, O., Kawuma, R., Bagiire, D., Mayanja, Y., Ssali, A., Kiwanuka, T., Mbonye, M., Ruzagira, E., & Seeley, J. (2022). Sexual behaviour risk among male regular partners of female sex workers. Advances in Global Health, 1(1), 1547913. https://doi.org/10.1525/agh.2022.1547913

Namale, G., Ssali, A., Kamacooko, O., Bagiire, D., Mayanja, Y., & Seeley, J. (2022). Use of services among female sex workers receiving a comprehensive HIV enhanced prevention intervention in Kampala, Uganda: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 33(3), 1435-1451. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2022.0123

Kamacooko, O., Kitonsa, J., Bahemuka, U. M., Kibengo, F. M., Wajja, A., Basajja, V., Lumala, A., Kakande, A., Kafeero, P., Ssemwanga, E., et al. (2021). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Uganda: A cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), 7004. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137004

Kitonsa, J., Kamacooko, O., Bahemuka, U. M., Kibengo, F., Kakande, A., Wajja, A., Basajja, V., Lumala, A., Ssemwanga, E., Asaba, R., et al. (2021). Willingness to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials; a survey among a population of healthcare workers in Uganda. PLOS ONE, 16(5), e0251992. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251992

Mayanja, Y., Lunkuse, J., Kalungi, H., Senyonga, W., Kamacooko, O., & Ruzagira, E. (2021, July). P135 High prevalence of curable sexually transmitted infections among 14–19 year old adolescents at risk of HIV infection in Kampala, Uganda [Conference presentation].

Namale, G., Kamacooko, O., Makhoba, A., Mugabi, T., Ndagire, M., Ssanyu, P., Ddamulira, J. B. M., Yperzeele, L., Cras, P., Ddumba, E., et al. (2021). HIV sero-positivity and risk factors for ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in hospitalised patients in Uganda: A prospective-case-control study. Public Health in Practice, 2, 100128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100128

Namale, G., Mayanja, Y., Kamacooko, O., Bagiire, D., Ssali, A., Seeley, J., Newton, R., & Kamali, A. (2021). Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positivity among female sex workers: A cross-sectional study highlighting one-year experiences in early detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous cervical lesions in Kampala, Uganda. Infectious Agents and Cancer, 16(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13027-021-00373-4

Kamacooko, O., Mayanja, Y., Bagiire, D., Namale, G., Hansen, C. H., & Seeley, J. (2020). Predictors of lost to follow-up in a “test and treat” programme among adult women with high-risk sexual behavior in Kampala, Uganda. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8439-9

Mayanja, Y., Kamacooko, O., Bagiire, D., Namale, G., & Seeley, J. (2020). Epidemiological findings of alcohol misuse and dependence symptoms among adolescent girls and young women involved in high-risk sexual behavior in Kampala, Uganda. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(17), 6129. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176129

Namale, G., Kamacooko, O., Makhoba, A., Mugabi, T., Ndagire, M., Ssanyu, P., Ddamulira, J. B. M., Yperzeele, L., Cras, P., Ddumba, E., et al. (2020). Predictors of 30-day and 90-day mortality among hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke patients in urban Uganda: A prospective hospital-based cohort study. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 20(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-020-01724-6

Nanvubya, A., Wanyenze, R. K., Kamacooko, O., Nakaweesa, T., Mpendo, J., Kawoozo, B., Matovu, F., Nabukalu, S., Omoding, G., Kaweesi, J., et al. (2020). Barriers and facilitators of family planning use in fishing communities of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2150132720943775

Nanvubya, A., Wanyenze, R. K., Nakaweesa, T., Mpendo, J., Kawoozo, B., Matovu, F., Nabukalu, S., Omoding, G., Kaweesi, J., Ndugga, J., et al. (2020). Correlates of knowledge of family planning among people living in fishing communities of Lake Victoria, Uganda. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09762-7

Kasamba, I., Nash, S., Shahmanesh, M., Baisley, K., Todd, J., Kamacooko, O., Mayanja, Y., Seeley, J., & Weiss, H. A. (2019). Missed study visits and subsequent HIV incidence among women in a predominantly sex worker cohort attending a dedicated clinic service in Kampala, Uganda. JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 82(4), 333-341. https://doi.org/10.1097/qai.0000000000002143

Namale, G., Kamacooko, O., Bagiire, D., Mayanja, Y., Abaasa, A., Kilembe, W., Price, M., Ssemwanga, D., Lunkuse, S., Nanyonjo, M., et al. (2019). Sustained virological response and drug resistance among female sex workers living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Kampala, Uganda: A cross-sectional study. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 95(6), 416-421. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2018-053854

Namale, G., Kawuma, R., Nalukenge, W., Kamacooko, O., Yperzeele, L., Cras, P., Ddumba, E., Newton, R., & Seeley, J. (2019). Caring for a stroke patient: The burden and experiences of primary caregivers in Uganda – A qualitative study. Nursing Open, 6(4), 1581-1589. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.356

Namale, G., Ssali, A., Kamacooko, O., Bagiire, D., Mayanja, Y., Nalukenge, W., & Seeley, J. (2019, July). P163 HIV care and treatment services for female sex workers: utilisation of and satisfaction with the services in kampala, uganda [Conference presentation].

Tino, S., Wekesa, C., Kamacooko, O., Makhoba, A., Mwebaze, R., Bengo, S., Nabwato, R., Kigongo, A., Ddumba, E., Mayanja, B. N., et al. (2019). Predictors of loss to follow up among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending a private not for profit urban diabetes clinic in Uganda – a descriptive retrospective study. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 535. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4415-4

Mayanja, Y., Kamacooko, O., Bagiire, D., Namale, G., Kaleebu, P., & Seeley, J. (2018). ‘Test and Treat’ among women at high risk for HIV-infection in Kampala, Uganda: Antiretroviral therapy initiation and associated factors. AIDS and Behavior, 22(3), 891-902. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-017-1973-5

Namale, G., Kamacooko, O., Kinengyere, A., Yperzeele, L., Cras, P., Ddumba, E., Seeley, J., & Newton, R. (2018). Risk factors for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2018, 4650851. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4650851