Meet Jafesi Pulle: Building Patient-Centered Solutions for Rheumatic Heart Disease in Uganda
With a deep commitment to improving lives through science, Jafesi Pulle stands out as a passionate and visionary leader in the fight against rheumatic heart disease (RHD). A PhD candidate in Implementation Science at Makerere University and NIH Fogarty D43 (IMPACT) Fellow, Jafesi bridges research, community engagement, and health systems innovation—all driven by one mission: to ensure no patient is left behind in the journey toward better heart health.
A Path Rooted in Service and Science
Jafesi’s journey in medicine began with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Nursing from Mbarara University of Science and Technology in 2011, followed by a Master of Public Health at Mbarara University in 2018. Over the years, he developed deep expertise in health leadership, research ethics, and implementation science through training with the University of Washington, NIH, and other global partners.
These experiences shaped his understanding of the challenges that patients face in low-resource settings, particularly those living with chronic cardiovascular diseases like RHD. “Working at the Uganda Heart Institute showed me the gaps between what we know works and what patients can actually access,” he reflects. “Implementation science gives us the tools to close that gap.”
Passion and Inspiration
Jafesi’s passion for RHD research is deeply personal. Witnessing the devastating impact of the disease on young lives in Uganda inspired him to dedicate his career to improving care systems that empower patients and communities. He draws motivation from mentors such as Dr. Emmy Okello, Dr. Andrea Beaton, and Dr. David Watkins, whose leadership in global cardiovascular health has shown him the power of combining compassion with scientific rigor.
“Their mentorship reminds me that research isn’t just about data—it’s about restoring hope and dignity to those who need it most,” he says.
Driving Change Through Research
For his PhD, Jafesi is leading a study titled “Improving Patient Engagement in Rheumatic Heart Disease Care in Uganda: A Mixed-Methods Implementation Science Approach.” His research explores how to strengthen patient engagement across the RHD care continuum—an often-overlooked factor in disease management that significantly affects outcomes.
By identifying barriers and co-developing solutions with communities, Jafesi aims to design interventions that are scalable, sustainable, and culturally grounded. His findings could help transform how RHD care is delivered in Uganda and other similar settings.
Leadership in Action
Beyond his doctoral work, Jafesi serves as Senior Program Manager for Research and Compliance at the Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative – Uganda Heart Institute (RRCU). He also leads major research initiatives such as the ADUNU Program (Accelerating Delivery of RHD Preventive Interventions in Uganda) and contributes to the ASPeCT-Africa Project on hypertension management.
His leadership extends to academia—mentoring MPH and medical students at Makerere and Mbarara Universities—and to global collaborations with partners including the University of Washington, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, World Heart Federation, and the World Health Organization.
In recognition of his contributions, Jafesi was named a World Heart Federation Emerging Leader (2024) and received the RRCU Scientific Leadership Award (2023).
A Vision for the Future
Jafesi’s long-term goal is to become a leading implementation scientist and advocate for equitable cardiovascular care across Africa. He envisions establishing a Center of Excellence in RHD Implementation Research to drive evidence-based, patient-centered health interventions and influence policy reforms.
“I want to ensure that the science we produce directly improves the lives of people affected by RHD,” he says. “That’s what motivates me every day.”
Beyond the Lab
Outside his professional life, Jafesi enjoys football, long-distance running, and travel photography. He’s also an avid home cook, known for his creative takes on Ugandan fusion dishes. Through his community outreach work—especially with the Colour to Care project in Kitgum—he continues to inspire young people to pursue health advocacy and research careers.
Publications
“Specificity of the Modified Jones Criteria” https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-062624
“Trust in Medical Research: A Comparative Study among Patients at a Regional Referral Hospital and Community Members in Lira District, Northern Uganda” https://doi.org/10.1177/15562646231224374
Early Outcomes of an Integrated RHD Screening and Treatment Program in Northern Uganda – Pending journal review, unpublished
Availability of Single Pill Combination Therapy for Hypertension in Africa (ASPeCT-Africa) – Pending journal review, unpublished