Dr Flavia Matovu

Full Biography

Dr. Flavia Matovu Kiweewa, MBChB, MSc, PhD, is a distinguished physician-scientist and Director of Research at the Makerere University–Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration (MUJHU) / MU-JHU Care Ltd in Kampala, Uganda. She has more than 15 years of experience in clinical and public health research, with a strong focus on HIV prevention and treatment among women, adolescent girls, and young women.

She has played a leading role in several landmark international HIV prevention trials. These include serving as Ugandan Lead Investigator for the MTN-020/ASPIRE Study evaluating the Dapivirine vaginal ring. She currently serves as National Principal Investigator for the PURPOSE 1 study on Lenacapavir and the EXPrESSIVE-10 study evaluating the MK-8527 monthly prevention pill.

Beyond HIV prevention, Dr. Matovu Kiweewa is a pioneer in metabolic health research among women living with HIV, particularly bone density outcomes. Her work, supported by an NIH R01 grant, contributed to her PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2021. Her BONE: STAR study findings directly informed Uganda’s 2023 national ART guidelines, supporting the inclusion of TAF-based regimens.

In addition to research and teaching, she holds influential leadership roles in global scientific governance. She serves as Chair of the Women Against Viruses in Africa (WAVA) committee under tPAHCS and participates in international scientific advisory boards. Her contributions have been recognized globally, including the 2024 Phoebe Leboy Professional Development Award from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.