Dr. Maxwell Otim Onapa is a Veterinary Surgeon, researcher and a distinguished Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (FUNAS) who has specialized in biomedical sciences; Science, Technology, Research and Innovation Development and Management; a space he has worked in for the last 30 years.
Dr. Otim has held various public offices including serving as Director Science, Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) where he served and provided impeccable leadership until June 2021. He currently serving as a Visiting Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health, Busitema, a public University.
Prior to joining MoSTI Dr. Otim worked as Deputy Executive Secretary of Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) where he provided strategic guidance on Science, Research and Innovation. His fellowship at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (FUNAS) has equipped him with the requite competence for providing of providing credible, balanced and evidence-driven advice to Uganda on matters of science and development and ensuring political independence in scientific bodies.
During his tenure at the UNCST and MOSTI, Dr. Otim was intimately involved in science diplomacy where he supported diplomats with evidence to inform their negotiations.
His previous involvement in preparing Confidence Building measures for Uganda has equipped him with insights of major aspects of the BWC.
Dr. Otim has also worked closely with the Political Affairs Office for Disarmament Affairs of the BWC to achieve a wider and strengthened implementation of the BWC by improving the knowledge and understanding of the Convention and its implementation among Ugandan stakeholders, research centers, laboratories, universities and private sector involved in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Otim therefore has deep insights in the Science and Technology (S&T) advisory mechanisms, compliance and Verification (C&V) as well as International Cooperation and Assistance (ICA).
As a researcher, Dr. Otim conducted extensive research in the area of immunodiagnostics, virology, veterinary epidemiology, infectious zoonotic diseases and biosafety and biosecurity. One of the outputs of his work was published under the title – The Low Level of Awareness in Biosafety and Biosecurity among Professionals in Uganda with a Potential Risk in the Dual-use Dilemma. This outstanding piece of work led to the establishment of a Select Agent list of pathogens and the National Inventory of Dangerous Pathogens in Uganda.
On the international scene, Dr. Otim served as a member of the international scientific committee of the Annual International Symposium on Biosecurity and Biosafety; Future Trends and Solutions held in Milan in 2008 and 2009 and as a member of the International Committee on Trends in Science and Technology relevant to the Biological Weapons Convention workshop held in November 2010 in Beijing, China.
Dr. Orim is currently serving as Member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Responsible use of the Life Sciences and Dual-use Research (TAG-RULS-DURC), and as a National Expert for the Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity capabilities in East and Central Africa (BIOCAP- ECA) Project 99 of the EU CBRN CoE.
Dr. Otim serves as a member of working group of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Action Package Prevent-3 Biosafety and Biosecurity (APP3), which aims to advance global biosafety and biosecurity in support of international instruments and agreements, including the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) (1975), and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004).
Dr. Otim’s passion for the responsible use of the life sciences led him to establish the Biosecurity and Biosafety Association of Uganda (BBAU), a not-for-profit professional Association, which he served diligently as president from 2012 to October 2023.
He is conversant with playing advisory role to entities. In this regard, he has been serving as a member of the International Scientific Advisory Board of the World Bank-supported Pharm- Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine Centre (PHARMBIOTRAC) center of excellence based at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), a public University since 2015. On the international scene, he served as Uganda’s STI focal point for all matters of international collaboration. He also served as Africa Vice Chair for the Geneva-based Commission of Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 2015-2016.
Dr. Otim’s role at the CSTD, the International Committee on Trends in Science and Technology relevant to the Biological Weapons Convention, PHARMBIOTRAC, WHO and the Project 99 of the EU CBRN CoE has shaped him into a formidable analyst of best practices for creating effective and inclusive scientific advisory mechanisms particularly in and life sciences.
Dr. Otim holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from Makerere University, a Master of Science Degree from Free University of Berlin, a Doctorate Degree from University of Copenhagen (KVL), a Master of Business Administration Degree from ESAMI and a Diploma in Leadership Development in ICT from Dublin City University (DCU). He was a Leadership Award from the Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI) in 2009.
Dr. Otim is a transformative leader who is passionate about translating science, innovative ideas, policies and concepts into tangible outputs for the benefit of humanity.
This page was updated in October 2024.
