_2?width=500&height=436)
Dr Arumadri Bako and
her co-supervisor Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast
Bako completed a series of medical qualifications in her home country, culminating in a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) qualification.
She also holds an MBA from India and a Master of Gender, Peace and Security from Ghana, which preceded her Doctoral Degree in Conflict Management at Mandela University.
Her decision to pursue a PhD and an MBChB concurrently was not driven by a desire to be a “double doctor” but by a commitment to address human wellbeing from both medical and societal perspectives.
“Medicine equips me to directly care for individuals, while Conflict Management allows me to understand and address broader systemic issues that affect communities, including security personnel,” she says.
“Although they are different fields, they are interrelated in practice. Almost all security institutions have medical departments that serve both personnel and civilians. My combined expertise allows me to contribute holistically to health and security in these settings.”
Hailing from Madi-Okollo District and the second of eight children, Bako recalls being initially drawn to mass communication before her mother steered her toward the health sector.
Although she struggled at first, she went on to obtain a Higher Diploma in Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery from the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences; a Bachelor of Medical Education from Makerere University; and later an MBChB at King Ceasor University in Kampala.
Bako worked with Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, specifically within the police health services, where she conducted medical examinations and documented cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
“This experience gave me practical insight into the intersection of health and security. I realised that health and peace are inseparable — you cannot labour for peace when healthcare is unstable. Our institutions and policies needed strengthening,” she explains. Balancing a PhD with an MBChB After completing her MBA from Amity University in India, Bako enrolled for her PhD in 2020.
“Mandela University is renowned for its excellence in peace and conflict studies and its commitment to social justice — two ideals that strongly align with my work on women’s leadership in security organisations,” she says.
Her thesis, titled ‘Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and Representation of Women in Leadership Positions in Ugandan Security Institutions’, was co-supervised by Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Acting Director of the Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution at Mandela University, and Professor Victor Ojakorotu from North-West University.
“My research explored three main areas: the adoption and implementation of UNSCR 1325 within Uganda’s security institutions; the impact of this implementation on women’s representation in leadership positions; and the challenges affecting women’s involvement in leadership roles.”
Her study highlighted both institutional barriers and opportunities for advancing gender equality within the security sector.
Just a year into her PhD, Bako enrolled for the MBChB in 2021 and immediately embraced the programme’s motto, “Service to Humanity,” through the principle of “Watch One, Do One, Teach One,” adopting a culture of community with her peers and junior students.
“This approach strengthened my clinical skills and reinforced compassion, patience, and responsibility — qualities at the heart of serving humanity.”
Challenges
Balancing studies in two different countries and in two vastly different fields was not without challenges.
“It required careful time management, adaptability, and discipline to navigate between the practical demands of medicine and the analytical focus of conflict management,” she says.
Her journey was further complicated by the loss of her mother in October 2020 and her father in 2021, which led to periods of breakdown and depression in 2022 and 2023.
“I missed my father’s evening calls and his timely words of encouragement. My close friends and family helped me maintain a structured routine and remain focused on my goals.”
“My supervisors were truly remarkable during this period — providing detailed academic feedback and personal support.”
She adds that they began addressing her as “colleague” once she had defended her PhD thesis, which boosted her confidence. She also credits the editor’s report as being instrumental to her success.
At her lowest moments, Bako considered de-registering from one of the programmes, but in hindsight recognises that she was more capable than she realised.
“If I had the chance to do something differently, I would give myself more grace, trust the process, and be less afraid of the challenge.”
Completing an MBChB alongside a PhD in Conflict Management gives her a rare vantage point from which to understand crises both at the bedside and at the societal level.
“I see how conflict and instability affect individual health, and I also understand the policies, leadership and systems needed to prevent or resolve those crises. This dual perspective allows me to design interventions that are practical, people-centred, and informed by the bigger picture.”
Bako’s journey represents years of sacrifice and discipline and stands as proof of women’s excellence in spaces historically dominated by men.
“Completing these degrees simultaneously is my way of honouring the women who opened doors for me. It serves as motivation for women — particularly African women — that their dreams are valid and achievable.”