Robert Kalyesubula: Leading Solutions for Non-Communicable Diseases

Robert Kalyesubula

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Inspiring Change Through Education and Advocacy!

A young child growing up in a rural village, surrounded by limited resources and overwhelming challenges, never knew they could become a catalyst for change in the healthcare community. Risen from humble beginnings, driven by a dedication to serving those in need, Robert Kalyesubula’s each step taken on his path is not only shaping his destiny but also opening doors for countless others who share similar struggles. His work resonates far beyond his surroundings, instilling hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

Prof. Robert Kalyesubula embodies this spirit of transformation in healthcare. Born in Nakaseke in Uganda, he came to be one of the top nephrologists across Africa and one of the most powerful voices advocating for kidney health. His academic journey began at Makerere University; he easily excelled in medicine against all odds of his rearing.

Today, he stands as not just a great Nephrologist, but the Founder of an organization known as ACCESS: The African Community Center for Social Sustainability, focusing on improving health outcomes and education for underprivileged groups in society.

He has pioneered initiatives in ACCESS to combat non-communicable diseases and enhance access to healthcare in underserved communities. His work exemplifies how one individual’s dedication can lead to systemic change, inspiring future generations to pursue health equity and social justice in their communities.

Let’s know more about his journey:

The Inspiring Journey

Professor Kalyesubula grew up in the modest settings of rural Uganda, where his early years were shaped by resilience and the will to rise above challenging circumstances. Born into a humble family, he faced the struggles of limited resources but excelled academically, eventually earning a place at Makerere University for medical school.

As a nephrologist, researcher, and academic, his career has been marked by both achievements and challenges. After earning his medical degree, he pursued specialized training in nephrology and became a distinguished expert in kidney health. His academic journey saw him collaborate on groundbreaking research projects and contribute to the global understanding of non-communicable diseases, particularly in low-resource settings.

Despite his success, Prof. Kalyesubula faced challenges, including the emotional toll of working in environments with limited resources and seeing patients struggle with access to healthcare. However, these challenges fueled his determination to drive change. His experiences led him to establish ACCESS, a platform aimed at improving kidney health and preventing non-communicable diseases across Africa.

His personal and professional life reflects a deep commitment to service, academic excellence, and community impact. He continues to inspire as a leader in medicine and a voice for equitable healthcare access.

Transforming Healthcare in Africa

The journey to transforming healthcare through ACCESS and related initiatives began with an unwavering passion for improving the lives of people suffering from kidney disease and other non-communicable diseases in Africa. While working as a nephrologist, Prof. Kalyesubula encountered numerous patients who faced significant barriers to healthcare, including late-stage kidney disease diagnoses and the high costs of dialysis.

Realizing the urgent need for preventive measures, he founded ACCESS (African Community Center for Social Sustainability), a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases and other preventable illnesses in Africa. The idea was to address healthcare gaps through a community-centred approach, focusing on education, early detection, and treatment. ACCESS has since expanded to include initiatives in maternal health, child education, capacity building for healthcare workers, youth education, economic empowerment, and environmental safeguarding.

Prof. Kalyesubula also authored over 140 peer-reviewed publications addressing key healthcare challenges in Africa and other Low- and middle-income countries. Each of the publications comes from grounded research that addresses health and wealth issues holistically. His writings have inspired countless readers to rethink approaches to healthcare, research, and equity.

This multifaceted approach to healthcare—combining clinical expertise, education, and advocacy—has positioned Prof. Robert as a thought leader in global health and a champion for sustainable change.

His flagship initiative, the Uganda Kidney Foundation, emerged from a vision to provide specialized care for kidney diseases, which were poorly understood and managed in Uganda. Through this foundation, he has championed awareness campaigns, built capacity among healthcare workers, and established access to diagnostic and treatment facilities for underserved communities.

Finding Balance

Balancing the demands of a dynamic career with a personal life is a challenge Prof. Kalyesubula approaches with intention and structure. As a nephrologist, professor, head of the department of physiology at Makerere College of Health Sciences, and founder of ACCESS, he juggles multiple responsibilities while ensuring that his personal life and well-being are not neglected.

Central to his balance is his belief in purpose-driven work. By aligning his career goals with his values—compassion, resilience, and service—he finds fulfillment in both areas. His family and close friends play a vital role in grounding him, providing a support system that allows him to navigate professional challenges effectively. His wife-Estherloy Katali to whom he has been married for 17 years with three children along with other family members and friends is a constant reminder of how life needs to be lived.

Time management is a skill Prof. Kalyesubula has refined over the years. He prioritizes his commitments, allocating dedicated time for work, family, and personal rejuvenation. He emphasizes the importance of delegation, empowering his team at ACCESS and in academia to take ownership of their roles, allowing him to focus on strategic leadership.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is another pillar of balance. Despite his busy schedule, Prof. Kalyesubula finds time for physical activity, meditation, and reading, which he considers essential for mental clarity. His faith is a cornerstone of his resilience, providing him with strength and perspective during challenging times. He is a devout Christian who has been fellowshipping from Makerere Full Gospel Church since his childhood days.

By integrating personal growth with professional ambitions, Prof. Kalyesubula has created a harmonious balance that enables him to excel in his work while nurturing his relationships and passions.

Pioneering Social Entrepreneurship in Healthcare

Prof. Kalyesubula’s appetite for business stems from a desire to create sustainable solutions to pressing health challenges. His approach to business is deeply rooted in social entrepreneurship, where profit aligns with purpose.

ACCESS, for instance, was founded on the principle of reinvesting resources into community health initiatives. By building partnerships with stakeholders in healthcare, technology, and education, Prof. Kalyesubula has developed innovative programs that generate long-term impact while ensuring financial sustainability. This program was started with savings he made during the vacation of grade seven.

His involvement with healthcare extends beyond non-profits. He has consulted on public-private partnerships, helping to set up seven (7) dialysis units in Uganda and also partnering to set up two hospitals. He also set up the ACCESS School of Nursing and Midwifery in Nakaseke District which has trained over 500 nurses and midwives working across the world over the last five years.

Prof. Kalyesubula views business as an opportunity to challenge the status quo and drive systemic improvements. His ventures are characterized by a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and measurable outcomes.

Championing Healthcare Equity

The passion driving Prof. Kalyesubula is a profound commitment to improving healthcare equity and outcomes in Africa. Growing up in Uganda, he witnessed first-hand the disparities in access to healthcare and education. These experiences ignited a desire to bridge the gaps and ensure that every individual has access to quality care and finances, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

His work with ACCESS embodies this passion. From preventing kidney disease to supporting maternal health and child education, every initiative reflects his belief in the transformative power of community-centered healthcare. His academic pursuits further fuel this passion, as he actively contributes to research that informs global health policies and practices.

Prof. Kalyesubula is driven by a vision of a healthier, more equitable Africa, where individuals and communities can thrive.

Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems worldwide, and Uganda was no exception. Prof. Kalyesubula’s initiatives including ACCESS were affected too, with many donors pulling out, but he adapted swiftly, leveraging multiple sustainability strategies to ensure continuity of care. ACCESS strengthened community outreach programs, ensuring that vulnerable populations received essential services.

He set up home care programs during the lockdown (Uganda had one of the longest lockdowns in the world) to ensure that children remained in school. He set up online programs for our School of Nursing and Midwifery and set up small home businesses near the homes of our beneficiaries.

Working with one of our key donors, the Segal Family Foundation- he and his team worked with 12 partners in Uganda to set up an organization called the African Coalition for Social Impact (ACSI) which helped organizations work together and support each other in the areas of health, education and livelihoods serving over 500,000 clients

Additionally, he was able to partner with our international friends from the USA, Canada, and Europe to get more of the much-needed medical supplies for the rural communities. He had to learn new techniques of logistics management including inland shipping and cross-border collaborations. In the end, he got the necessary resources to our beneficiaries in the rural communities through our leveraged networks.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Prof. Kalyesubula strengths lie in his resilience, strategic thinking, and ability to inspire others. His journey from a rural upbringing to becoming a global health leader demonstrates his determination and adaptability.

Taking great use of every opportunity that furthers his career has been a big hall maker in ensuring his success. During his internship days as a medical doctor practicing medicine at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. He saw an opportunity for a lack of sutures in the hospital. He worked out a program with my sister in Kampala and the bus drivers to set up a business that sold sutures. From this venture, he saved up enough money to buy land where the ACCESS program stands today.

In another instance, he saw an advert on the screen board advertising a PhD for NCDs in London but with no contacts of anyone in Uganda. He reached out to the UK team who pointed me in the right direction. After a long streak of trials, he got to study for PhD and graduated with distinction.

One area of growth he acknowledges is the challenge of delegation. Early in his career, he often took on too much responsibility, which led to burnout. Learning to trust and empower his team has been a transformative lesson, and he encourages others to build strong, collaborative networks.

The other weakness has been trusting people and professionals too much before they are tried and tested. Many friends and professionals have been a great disappointment but with time I have learned to read people’s character and separate work from friendship. Trust has to be earned.

Awards & Accolades

Prof. Kalyesubula has excelled in both professional and personal realms, earning recognition as a distinguished academic, researcher, and clinician in global health. His professional achievements are underpinned by extensive education, including an MBChB and MMed from Makerere University, a PhD in NCD Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and fellowships from Yale University and the International Society of Nephrology.

As a senior lecturer and head of the Department of Physiology at Makerere University, Prof. Kalyesubula has contributed significantly to medical education and research. He has co-authored over 140 peer-reviewed publications and mentored 36 postgraduate students, including two PhD candidates. His ground-breaking research on kidney disease and hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa has informed national and international guidelines, enhancing the understanding and management of these conditions in resource-limited settings.

Prof. Kalyesubula’s leadership extends beyond academia. As the founding president of the Uganda Kidney Foundation, he has championed efforts to improve renal healthcare access. His roles as an adjunct professor at esteemed institutions like Yale and McMaster University highlight his global influence.

His accolades include the Emerging Leader Award from the International Society of Nephrology, the Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), Professorships at Yale School of Medicine and the University of Vermont in the USA, the University of Charite in Germany and McMaster University in Canada speak to his academic excellence and collaborative spirit.

The African Visionary Leadership Award, the Rotarian Award of Kampala, the Outstanding Physician award from the Diaspora Network of Uganda and being voted among the five best doctors in Uganda in 2022 among others, speak to his community engagement. These honors underscore his exceptional contributions to medicine, leadership, and community health.

On a personal level, Prof. Kalyesubula exemplifies resilience and dedication, balancing his demanding professional life with his passion for mentoring and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. His journey reflects a commitment to advancing healthcare, particularly in underserved regions, making him a role model in the global medical community.

Insights on Effective Leadership

Leadership is a journey of self-awareness, continuous learning, and resilience. Prof. Kalyesubula advises aspiring leaders to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and staying grounded in one’s values are essential. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and being open to new ideas while maintaining a clear vision and purpose.

The terrain is fast changing and young people and colleagues need to embrace technology, working with others and harnessing the power of collaboration.

Whenever there is an opportunity to advance your career and develop new skills, take it with both hands and ensure that you keep learning and improving your knowledge and skill set.

Always ensure that you have a mentor or mentors who should ideally be better than you to offer you guidance in areas of interest so that you can achieve your dreams. Once you learn new skills make sure that you mentor others too, so that they can support you as move up the ladder. It can get very lonely up there.

A Message on Growth and Innovation

Success is the result of passion, perseverance, and purpose. Pursue your dreams with integrity and honesty, stay committed to making a difference, and always believe in the power of innovation to transform lives.

As we step into a new era of possibilities, I am excited about the potential of technology to reshape industries, particularly healthcare. Let us focus on creating solutions that are not only innovative but also inclusive, ensuring no one is left behind in our pursuit of progress.

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