Dennis Muhanguzi

Dennis Muhanguzi is a Senior Lecturer at Makerere University, specifically in the Department of Biomolecular and Biolaboratory Sciences within the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity. With over 15 years of research experience, he has established himself as an expert in molecular epidemiology of vector-borne diseases affecting livestock in Uganda and East Africa.

Dr. Muhanguzi's educational background includes a PhD in Molecular Epidemiology from Makerere University and the University of Edinburgh, an MSc in Molecular Biology from Makerere University, and an MSc in International Animal Health from the University of Edinburgh, UK. His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both molecular biology and veterinary sciences.

His research primarily focuses on the molecular epidemiology of tsetse and tick-borne diseases, with particular emphasis on host-parasite interactions essential for parasite transmission. Dr. Muhanguzi's work spans veterinary parasitology, molecular diagnostics, zoonotic diseases, and infectious disease epidemiology. His recent publications indicate a strong emphasis on the development of diagnostic tools for acaricide resistance, spatial and temporal analysis of disease vectors, and the epidemiology of transboundary animal diseases in East Africa.

Dr. Muhanguzi has published 82 scientific articles that have received 44,391 reads and 1,223 citations on ResearchGate. His research output shows consistent productivity with numerous publications in 2024 and 2025, indicating active and ongoing research programs. The trend in his publications demonstrates a growing focus on innovative diagnostic approaches, molecular characterization of pathogens, and the application of advanced technologies like nanopore sequencing in veterinary epidemiology.

His scientific contributions include:

• Development and validation of the Rapid Tick exposure Test (RaTeXT) for detecting acaricide resistance in cattle ticks
• Spatio-temporal analysis of tsetse fly density in Uganda
• Studies on the prevalence and seasonal variation of tick-borne haemoparasites in cattle
• Research on the distribution of invasive Rhipicephalus microplus ticks in Uganda
• Investigations into transboundary animal diseases affecting small ruminants

Dr. Muhanguzi's research has practical applications for livestock health management and disease control in East Africa. His work on acaricide resistance and novel tick control approaches addresses critical challenges facing livestock production in the region. His research often involves multi-country collaborations, indicating strong international research networks.

He leads "Dennis Muhanguzi's Lab" at Makerere University, which focuses on molecular epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, although specific details about the lab's size and composition are not provided in the available information.