Dr Kakunze holds a Medical Doctor degree from the University of Burundi and a Master in Public Health from Peking University with a decade of clinical and public health experience at national and continental level. He has been working with Africa CDC since November 2018, initially as Public Health Officer in the Office of the Director till September 2020.  Since September 2020, he is the Lead for Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Injuries and Mental Health in the Division of Disease Control and Prevention. Notable achievements include the development of the Africa CDC strategy on NCDs, Injuries and Mental health validated by Member States in April 2022 and published in high-level peer reviewed journal, the design, negotiation and successful launch of the Africa CDC Mental Health Leadership Programme, the AU/Africa CDC Multisectoral Taskforce on NCDs, Injuries and Mental health, the integration of mental health and psycho-social support in Africa CDC’s emergency and preparedness work, the support to Member States to strengthen governance, improve surveillance and build capacity for the prevention and control of NCDs, Injuries and Mental ill-health. Dr Kakunze is an International Visitor Leadership Programme alumnus, and other prestigious international and regional programmes.