Emilio Ovuga

Emilio Baliki Liociri Ovuga, Ph.D., MD, is a retired professor of psychiatry and former dean of the Medical School at Gulu University, Uganda, and professor at the International Institute of Medicine and Science (IIMS), California, USA. He is also a suicidologist, psychiatric epidemiologist, and forensic psychiatrist. He obtained his medical degree and master’s degree in Psychiatry at Makerere University, Uganda. He obtained a Ph.D. in Suicidology and Psychiatric Epidemiology from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. He was the founding chairperson of the Forum of Research Ethics Committees in Uganda (FRECU) and founder and chairperson of the Gulu University Research Ethics Committee (GUREC). He is the executive president of the Society for Advancement of Science in Africa (SASA) and chief executive officer of Bomvitae Agro Industries Limited (BAIL), an agricultural research enterprise in the Adjumani District of Uganda. Dr. Ovuga is also a member of the Special Working Group (SWG) for the decriminalization of suicide of the International Association for the Prevention of Suicide (IASP). Dr. Ovuga is a suicidologist, psychiatric epidemiologist, and forensic psychiatrist. As a practitioner in suicide prevention, Dr. Ovuga has implemented suicide prevention programs in the Adjumani, Gulu, and Amuru Districts in post-conflict Northern Uganda by training and working with lay community representatives to deliver first aid counseling services to individuals in psychological distress. Emilio Ovuga obtained Ph.D. in Suicidology and Psychiatric Epidemiology from Karolinska Institutet. He is a book editor and a guest editor and reviewer for several scientific journals. In his retirement, he continues to mentor upcoming researchers and remains interested in research and the development and implementation of community-based health and social services.