RSNA Member Spotlight: Eva Nabawanuka, MBChB, MMed, EBIR

Eva Nabawanuka, MBChB, MMed, EBIR, is an interventional radiologist at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. She completed her undergraduate and graduate training at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, also in Kampala.

Dr. Nabawanuka has played a pivotal role in advancing radiology training in her country. She was instrumental in developing a two-year fellowship curriculum in interventional radiology (IR) at Makerere University.

In addition to being a passionate clinician and educator, Dr. Nabawanuka is also actively engaged in research and international collaboration, represented by her participation in RSNA’s Introduction to Research for International Young Academics (IRIYA) program in 2023.

What or who sparked your interest in radiology?

My fascination with radiology began during a career workshop in high school. I remember a radiologist describing X-rays as "invisible forces" that yield tangible, life-saving results. To my younger self, it sounded less like medicine and more like a superpower. Although my journey began with radiography, I remained steadfast in my goal of becoming a radiologist. I returned to medical school with a singular focus on the field that first sparked my curiosity, and I have never looked back.

What has been your best professional accomplishment?

I am incredibly proud of leading the initiative to establish the first subspecialty training in radiology within my country. I spearheaded the team that developed a comprehensive two-year fellowship curriculum for IR, and I was honored to be among the program's three pioneer trainees. Today, I coordinate this IR training program in Uganda, fostering international and regional collaborations with visiting faculty from Tanzania, Europe and North America.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?

Establishing a new training program from the ground up has been a profound challenge. It required me to master aspects of healthcare beyond clinical practice, including equipment procurement, specialized room design and complex stakeholder management. While the learning curve has been steep, the reward of building sustainable, specialized care in my home country makes the journey immensely fulfilling.