Dr. Ekiria holds a Diploma in Health Administration, a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery and a Master’s degree in Public Health, both from Makerere University. With over 15 years of experience in clinical practice, she brings a wealth of expertise in research, palliative care service planning and delivery, strategic planning, budgeting and health systems management.

She was the first Ugandan to serve as CEO of Hospice Africa Uganda, after which she joined Mildmay Uganda as the inaugural Director of Quality Assurance and a founding member of the Mildmay Research Ethics Committee. Dr. Kikule currently serves as the Principal of the Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa, the training arm of Hospice Africa Uganda.

Her professional work has involved significant engagement with HIV/AIDS programs, including adolescent care, elimination of mother-to-child transmission, antiretroviral therapy management and home-based palliative care.

Dr. Kikule has served on several boards, including Mengo Hospital, World Vision Uganda, the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) and Gayaza High School. She currently chairs the board of Kiwoko Hospital and is a Life Member of PCAU. She has presented extensively at national and international forums on various aspects of palliative care service delivery.

She was a member of the task force that established the Uganda Christian University School of Medicine, where she also lectures part-time. Her teaching areas include Fundamentals of Public Health, Institutional and School Health, Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases of Public Health Importance, Ethics in Health and Research Methodology. A committed Christian, Dr. Kikule is a widow, mother of four, and grandmother to nine.