Edward Jurua
Co-Opted Member
Associate Professor Edward Jurua is an astrophysicist at the Department of Physics at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor. His research focuses on stellar high-energy astrophysics and the advancement of astrophysics and space science education in Africa. Over the course of his academic career, he has held several positions at the university, including Lecturer (2008–2012), Senior Lecturer (2012–2015), and Associate Professor (since 2016). In addition to teaching and research, he has made significant contributions to postgraduate training, having supervised more than 13 PhD students and 43 MSc students in physics and astrophysics-related fields.
Prof. Jurua obtained his PhD in Physics in 2008 and an MSc in 2005 from the University of the Free State in South Africa. He also holds a BSc Honours (Postgraduate) degree from the University of Cape Town (2003), a BSc (Hons) from Makerere University (1999), and a Diploma in Education from National Teachers College Muni (1993). His academic training has provided a strong foundation for his contributions to astrophysics research and science education across the region.
He has been actively involved in several international and regional scientific organizations. Prof. Jurua has been a member of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) since 2011 and currently serves as a member of its Executive Committee (since 2024). He is also a member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and has served since 2012 on the Task Force for Astronomy for Universities and Research under the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development. At the regional level, he has been an active member of the East African Astronomical Society, where he served as Secretary from 2009 to 2021. In addition, he served as Uganda’s National Contact Point for Space under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.
Prof. Jurua is widely recognized for pioneering the development of astrophysics and space science in Uganda. Through his academic leadership and mentorship, he has trained a significant number of scientists in astrophysics and space science, contributing to the introduction of these fields in several universities across Uganda. These efforts have played an important role in strengthening national capacity in space science and have contributed to the development of Uganda’s emerging space programme.