Our Team
Board of Directors
Susan Wilkinson MSN, PMHNP-BC
Susan Wilkinson, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a trained substance use expert. In her clinical work, Susan assesses, diagnoses and creates treatment plans for individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders. She completed a Master of Nursing from Boston College and is a board certified Psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner. She has completed numerous trainings related to substance use treatment including medication assisted therapy (MAT), she is a registered Buprenorphine and Naltrexone provider. Susan has loved ones who have struggled with substance use and are in long term recovery — this is what drives her empathy and passion to help others struggling with substance use.
Nandawula Kanyerezi Mutema, MD
Nandawula Kanyerezi Mutema, MD is an internal medicine physician. In her role as a clinician treating a wide range of patients, she comes in contact with many people who struggle with substance use disorders. She completed her medical degree at Nehru Medical College. She went on to earn a Doctorate in Internal Medicine from Marshall University, West Virginia. She later worked as an attending physician in Ohio, where she rose from Primary Care Physician to Managing Physician at the Braxton Cann Health Center under the Cincinnati Health Department; working with the poor and uninsured and partnering with the Cincinnati School of Medicine and Nursing School to provide outpatient training for medical students, residents in internal medicine and nurse practitioners. In 2015, Dr. Kanyerezi Mutema returned to Kampala to practice at The Clinic at The Mall, a clinic and diagnostic center she founded with her husband Dr. George Mutema and another colleague. Dr. Kanyerezi Mutema continues to work in the areas of health maintenance, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic disease and is passionate about educating and empowering patients to take part in their own healthcare.
Arnold Bhebhe, MD
Arnold Z. Bhebhe graduated from the Rostov State Medical University in Russia and is currently a Neurosurgery Resident with the Zambia College of Medicine and Surgery (ZACOMS) and the College of Surgeons of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). In his career, he has had vast experience in the Zambian rural and urban setting both as a medical doctor and a hospital administrator. He has been involved in counseling adolescents and adults about the dangers of substance abuse and violence related to substance abuse. He has generally encouraged improved access to mental health for all. Arnold is currently focused on helping patients born with neural tube defects and their guardians cope with the mental and psychological stress that comes with such diseases that often lead to permanent mental, physical and cosmetic disability. He is passionate about improving access to mental health for all in Zambia.
Chanda Marian Malama, MBBS, MPH
Dr Chanda Marian Malama is a licensed Medical Doctor and hold the position of Head-of-Department for Internal Medicine at Thomson Hospital. She is a well-rounded medical officer with astute acumen for management of general medical conditions in resource-limited settings. She is a life-long learner with an insatiable appetite for professional development. Dr Malama is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of Zambia. She is also licensed to instruct people in the use of electronic medical record systems. Dr Malama continues to work in this position with a wide range of healthcare facilities throughout Zambia, demonstrating her extensive knowledge and commitment for HRH development. She supports the Ministry of Health’s efforts to enhance quality and continuity of service by transitioning the delivery of healthcare from a paper-based system to a nationwide computerized system known as SmartCare. Dr Malama recognises the value of ploughing back expert knowledge and other resources back into her community. She continues to devote her time and resources to helping the less fortunate and those who are battling with substance misuse in her community by participating in feeding programs, promoting good health, and giving lectures about health on various platforms, as necessary. Her personal experience with family members and friends who were misusing alcohol and other substances gave her a burning desire to help survivors and families affected by substance abuse restore health and wellbeing.
Shamsieva Shakhnoz, MD
Shamsieva Shakhnoz, MD is a general practitioner physician (GP) who treats the whole spectrum; from pediatrics to geriatrics. She trained at the Middle Asian Medical Pediatric Institute (present name is Tashkent State Medical Pediatric Institute), Tashkent, Uzbekistan (former USSR). Shamsieva completed her pediatric residency at Tashkent State Institute for Postgraduate Training. Additional certifications include a basic course in lactation management from WHO (world health Organization) Lusaka, Zambia; AIDS management training course from The Salvation Army Chikankata health services in Chikankata, Zambia; Reproductive health and mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS from Chainama Hills College of Health Sciences in collaboration with the University of Zambia in Lusaka, Zambia. She is currently the Supervising Doctor at MedProf Clinic in Livingstone Zambia and is registered with Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). In her line of work, she is in close contact with a wide range of people struggling with substance use disorders on a daily basis.
Musonda Simwayi, Ph.D.
Dr. Simwayi is a former Director General of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Zambia. He is a seasoned Law Enforcement expert with over 25 years’ experience in investigations, security management and change management. Prior to his appointment at DEC, he worked for the Zambia Police Service, Zambia Sugar PLC and the Central Bank of Zambia. Among his qualifications are a PhD in Management, a master’s degree in Business Administration, a master’s degree in Corporate and Commercial Law and a bachelor’s degree in Law. He is a certified Franklin Covey trainer of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and the Disciplines of Execution. He teaches law and supervises research work in the School of Law at the University of Lusaka on part-time basis. Dr. Simwayi is passionate about the application of best change management practices and the law to social challenges including drug abuse, crime in general and gender imbalances. He believes strongly that the family, particularly parents and guardians are very key to reversing the devastating effects of substance abuse. He is serving as a Senior Elder overseeing the Youth Ministry at Breakthrough Worship Centre in Lusaka. In his spare time, he does a lot of aerobics and plays football.
Engineer Bainomugisha, PhD
Engineer Bainomugisha has long been committed to the development of technology driven solutions that have a positive impact on people’s lives and the planet. He is a Professor and Chair of Computer Science at Makerere University where he is enthusiastic about advancing high-quality Computer Science education that is of sufficient breadth and depth, practical and fast enough for the African continent. He has pioneered several social impact projects such as AirQo, a Google-supported initiative for air quality monitoring and analysis. He is a co-founder of Sunbird AI, a non-profit organization which develops scaled Artificial Intelligence systems for social impact in Africa. He holds a BSc. in Computer Science from Makerere University and MSc. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
Rose Ssajjabi
Rose is a Mental Health Counselor with skills in leading situation-specific counseling sessions. Her expertise is rooted in working with young adults and older adults in crisis. She has counseled over 100 individuals and families using professional fluency in English, and Luganda Language. She is Intune and gifted with an extensive knowledge of trauma related body language. Among other trainings, Rose has trained at The World Federation of Mental Health and is certified as a trainer. As such she works and functions in a mentoring capacity to others at the Trauma Center at McLean Hospital, where she co-facilitates trainings. As part of her job, Rose works extensively with Doctors, Hospitals and Geriatricians in providing counselling services to patients, older adults, and their families.
Jeremie Witlin
Jeremie Witlin, is a banker and commercial lender with over 10 years of experience in banking. Jeremie is passionate about helping companies and non-profit organizations succeed in accordance with their business plans and objectives. In his role as business development manager, Jeremie works with companies to review their balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and prior years’ tax returns to review the health of the organization and its capacity to manage their budgets and to stress test their business models. Jeremie has previously worked for Credit Unions and has experience working with organizations including the YMCA, Hopkinton Community Access Television, and the Knights of Columbus to review their operating budgets and run rates out of their bank accounts. Jeremie has volunteered his time promoting financial literacy at public schools throughout Middlesex county and is an ambassador for the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce where he helps local business owners with business planning and reviewing their lending needs. Jeremie has a Bachelors of Art degree at Florida Atlantic University and an Associate of Art degree at Indian River State College.
Violet N. Musoke, MPscm, BIB
Violet N. Musoke, MPscm, BIB is a graduate from Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Kampala, Uganda with a Master of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management (MPscm) and Bachelors in International Business (BIB) from the same academic institution. Currently, Violet is an office manager at a leading Japanese technology agricultural machinery supply company in Kampala-Uganda. She is also a Country Director for Your Ally Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Massachusetts, U.S.A. Having grown up in Uganda, Violet has seen firsthand how destructive substance use can be especially among college age students. Through her volunteer work, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness about the effects of substances use, especially alcohol. Her strongest skill is social mobilization. She is passionate about health education about substance use disorders and related mental health disorders in low and middle-income countries. Additionally, she is dedicated to raising awareness about trauma especially Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and related role in substance use disorders. Violet is passionate about changing people’s lives for the better, especially the youth. She is aiming at promoting Your Ally Foundation, Inc. to business networks as well as the education and health sectors in Uganda.
Admin Support
Barbara Muzumwa-Kapinda
Country Director Zambia
Barbara Muzumwa-Kapinda is a seasoned professional with a diverse background, serving as the Country Director at Your Ally Foundation in Zambia. With her Chartered Marketer status and a Postgraduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in the UK, she brings a wealth of marketing expertise to her role. In addition to her marketing qualifications, Barbara holds certificates in Secretarial studies from Pitman’s in the UK and a Law degree, LLB from the Zambian Open University. Her career spans over 20 years, encompassing various sectors including social development, international Not for Profit organizations, and entrepreneurship, demonstrating her versatility and adaptability. Barbara’s focus on mental health and drug rehabilitation underscores her commitment to addressing critical societal issues and making a positive impact in her community.
Kizito Julius
Counselor
Kizito Julius, Country Administrator for Your Ally Foundation in Uganda, is a passionate counselor and mental health advocate dedicated to empowering young people and underserved communities. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Kyambogo University (First Class Honors, 2023) and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical psychology and counseling at the University of Kisubi, he combines academic excellence with deep expertise in addiction counseling, mental health support, and psychosocial care. Guided by his #Vision2040, he is committed to ensuring every village child has access to quality education and health services.