Dr. Charles Olaro

Dr. Charles Olaro is the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Uganda, where he oversees service delivery, health systems strengthening, and policy implementation at the national level. A surgeon by training, he holds an MBChB and MMed in Surgery from Makerere University, a Master of Science in Health Services Management from Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, and a Master of Business Administration from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute.

With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Olaro has held several leadership positions in Uganda’s health sector. Before becoming Director General, Dr. Olaro was the Director of Curative Services at the Ministry of Health from 2017. In this capacity, he was involved in Uganda’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola outbreaks. He also served as Hospital Director at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital and as Medical Superintendent at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, where he was instrumental in advancing hospital governance and improving patient care. His leadership is characterized by a strong focus on health systems efficiency, capacity building, and equitable access to quality health services.

Dr. Olaro is an Honorary Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA). He was also recognized through the International Visitors Leadership Program on Global Women’s Health Issues by the U.S. Department of State.