Dr. Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho
Senior Lecturer
- Senior Lecturer
- manyolitho@lirauni.ac.ug / maxanyoli@gmail.com
- +256776-630123/+256752-630123
- ResearchGate
- Google Scholar
- Orcid
Maxson is a seasoned and effective result-oriented Sociologist with a passion for offering to the community his knowledge, skills, and experience acquired in the areas of Health Sociology, Medical Anthropology, Traditional Medicine, Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health, Agriculture and Rural Development and Qualitative and Mixed
Methods Research, Participatory Action Research, Citizen Science, and community engagement. Maxson does this through teaching, research, community outreaches and
consultancy.
Qualifications
- Postdoctoral Research (2025). Lira University & University of Calgary
- Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies (2024). Mbarara University of Science and Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (2024). University of Antwerp-Belgium
- Master of Sociology (2015). Makerere University
- CPA Level III (2008). Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences (Soc & Admin) (2006). Makerere University
- Higher Dip in Marketing (1999). Makerere University Business School
SELECTED RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND PUBLICATIONS
- Kigongo, E., Ekungu, E., Edmonton, A., Auma, A. G., Ongom, M. C., Samson, U.,Maxson K.A, … Omech, B. (2025). Bridging Participation Gaps: A Community-Led Inception for Integrating Comprehensive Adolescent-Friendly Family Planning and Post-Abortion Care (CAFFP–PAC) into Primary Healthcare Facilities in Northern Uganda. Open Access Journal of Contraception, 16, 81–96. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S550132
- Maxson K. Anyolitho, Stella Neema, Paskari Odoi, Moses Adriko, Birgitte J. Vennervald, Edridah M. Tukahebwa, Shona Wilson (2025). Community insights into societal causes of and solutions for schistosomiasis transmission in Lake Albert fishing villages: A participatory approach, Health & Place, Volume 95, 2025, 103548,ISSN 1353-8292, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2025.103548.
- Reigl LS, Anyolitho MK, Neema S, Amuyunzu-Nyamongo M, Buhl A, Burrill J, et al. (2025) Socio cultural and structural barriers influencing parents’ knowledge and access to information on schistosomiasis in children around Ugandan Lakes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 19(5): e0013050. https://doi.org/10.1371 journal.pntd.0013050
- Cecilia Wangari Wambui, Joule Madinga, Mercy Gloria Ashepet, Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho, Patrick Mitashi, Tine Huyse (2024). Knowledge, attitudes and practices toward female genital schistosomiasis among community women and healthcare professionals in Kimpese region, Democratic Republic of Congo. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011530
- Aspire Mudavanhu, Rachelle Weeda,Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho, Linda Mlangeni, Luc Brendonck, Tawanda Manyangadze, Tine Huyse (2024). Insufficient Water, Sanitation, and Healthcare Facilities Hinder Schistosomiasis Control in Endemic Areas: A Mixed Methods Study. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.30.24312829
- Lisa Sophie Reigl, Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho, Stella Neema, Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, Andrea Buhl, Jennifer Burrill, Marie Frese, Djouquou Alexise Gnahore, Eveline Hürlimann, Suzanne Lavry, Janet Masaku, Nora Monnier, Ashley Preston, Alice Sereti Sinkeet, Peter Steinmann, Alain Toh, Orkan Okan, Andrea S Winkler, Isabelle L Lange. (2025). Socio-cultural and structural barriers influencing parents’ knowledge and access to information on schistosomiasis in children around Ugandan Lakes. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013050
- Anyolitho, M.K., Huyse, T., Masquillier, C. et al. Empowering communities through citizen science and participatory action research: implementation of a schistosomiasis communication campaign in Uganda. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 11, 227 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02714-1
- Ikwara EA, Nakero L, Anyolitho MK, Isabirye R, Namutebi S, Mwesiga G, et al. (2023) Determinants of primary healthcare providers’ readiness for integration of ART services at departmental levels: A case study of Lira City and District, Uganda. PLoS ONE 18(10): e0292545. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292545
- Anyolitho MK, Nyakato V, Poels K, Huyse T, and Masquillier C (2023) Health Healthseeking behaviour regarding schistosomiasis treatment in the absence of a mass drug administration (MDA) program: the case of endemic communities along Lake Albert in Western Uganda. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16020-z
- Puleh, S.S., Ikwara, E.A., Namutebi, S. Mwesigwa, G., Isabirye R., Acen J., and Anyolitho MK. (2023) Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 394 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913023-09388-6
- Puleh SS, Kigongo E, Ojok IO, Akech SI, Opollo MS, Achan E, Acen J, Anyolitho MK, Acup. W, and Kabunga K (2023) Parents’ Readiness to Vaccinate Their Children Aged 5 to 17 Years Against Covid 19 and Its Associated Factors in Lira District, Uganda DOI:10.2147/PHMT.S404620 Page | 5
- Anyolitho MK, Poels K, Huyse T, Tumusiime J, Mugabi F, Tolo CU, et al. (2022) Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding schistosomiasis infection and prevention: A mixed-methods study among endemic communities of western Uganda. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 16(2) : e0010190. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pntd.0010190
- Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho, et al. (2021). Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Social Support Count? A Cross-Sectional Survey among Lira University Students, Northern Uganda. CPQ Neurology and Psychology, 3(6), 01-11.
- Amir Kabunga, Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho and Apio Betty (2020): Emotional intelligence and compassion fatigue among psychotherapists in selected districts of Northern Uganda. South African Journal of Psychology: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.1177/0081246319889174
- Rebecca N, Maxson KA, Amir K. Traditional herbal remedies for managing COVID-19 major symptoms: A case study of Kole district, Northern Uganda. TMR Pharmacol Res. 2021;1(4):22. doi: 10.53388/TMRPR20210819022
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRPR20210819022 - Rebecca Nakaziba, Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho, Sharon Bright Amanya, Crispin Duncan Sesaazi, Frederick Byarugaba, 3 Jasper Ogwal-Okeng, 1 and Paul E. Alele (2021): Traditional Medicinal Vegetables in Northern Uganda: An Ethnobotanical Survey Volume 202: International Journal of Food Science / 2021 / Article https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5588196
- Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho (2018): Assessing Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards irrigation schemes in Pakwach and Oyam districts, Uganda funded the GoU and African Development Bank (unpublished)
RESEARCH CONSULTANCIES
- Assessing participation of community drug distributors in mass drug administration of ivermectin in three selected districts of Kasese, Adjumani and Kitgum (Jan to Sep 2024):
- Action Towards Reducing Aquatic Snail-borne Parasitic diseases-ATRAP II (2024-today): Post Doctoral Research Fellow:
- Action Towards Reducing Aquatic Snail-borne Parasitic diseases-ATRAP (2019-2023): Joint PhD Senior Research Fellow:
- Adoption of Levo-Praziquantel for Schistosomiasis treatment by endemic countries package one-ADOPT-1(May-June 2022): Teal Leader:
- Impact of increased praziquantel frequency on Fibrosis in Schistosomiasis hotspot communities (FibroScHot) (November-December 2020): Research Supervisor:
- Ebola Vaccine Deployment, Acceptance and Compliance project-Ebodac (May-August 2020): Research Manager:
- Chrisbert Consult (June 201-December 2019): Social Development Expert:
Grants written, won, and awarded:
- Co-Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator. “Enhancing Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health in Northern Uganda: A Citizen Science Gender-Transformative Approach to Integrating Adolescent Friendly Family Planning and Post-Abortion Care (CAFFP-PAC)” (Grant No. 110713). This CAD 1,200,000 (UGX 3,109,368,000) initiative addresses critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health and rights in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANeSA). The project is co-funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
- Co-Investigator and Project Coordinator: Implementation of an Integrated Care Model for Patients with Multiple Cardiometabolic and Mental Health Conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa. M-CARE Project (Project Number: 101226563). (Total Grant Amount Euros 4,000,000.00). The project funded by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) with a grant of EUR 614,243.75 (UGX 2,500,000,000), aims to improve primary care for patients (aged ≥18 years) with
multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) related to cardiometabolic and common mental health disorders in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. - Co-Principal Investigator. Action Towards Reducing Aquatic Parasitic Snail borne disease (ATRAP II) (Grant Amount Euros 1,100,000.00)
- Principal Investigator. Effectiveness of Mobile Phone Reminder, Routine Home visits and ANC for Improving the uptake of IPTp in Lira West Division. (Grant Amount. Ugx. 16,000,000/=)
- Co-Principal Investigator. Exploring the effectiveness of University-Industry collaboration in Lira city. (Grant Amount Ugx. 16,000,000/=)
- Co-Principal Investor. Health, Environment and Livelihoods (HEAL) project: Empowering local community members in Uganda to reduce disease vectors by invasive vegetation removal” (Grant Amount. 60,000 Euros.
PROJECTS & COLLABORATIONS
- Team Leader (Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights-SRHR component): DINU CHASE Project (2019-2023):
- Field Coordinator: SET-SRHR Center:
- Institutional Coordinator: UK-Uganda Global Alliance program on the BRIDGE Project:
- Member: Citizen Science Uganda: