Nelson Sewankambo MBChB, MSc, M.MED, FRCP, LLD (HC) is a Professor Emeritus, a former Dean of Makerere University Medical School, and a past Principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Uganda. His professional career in the field of global health (GH) as we know it today was ushered in by the urgent need in Uganda in 1981/1982 to investigate and define a new devastating disease named “Slim” disease by the local people. Through a global research partnership, the disease was identified as what later came to be known as HIV/AIDS in Uganda and was published in the Lancet (Serwadda, et al. 1985). His academic progress has been informed by many GH partnership experiences in research, development of education programs for indigenous and foreign health professionals and in health service delivery. Dr. Sewankambo’s 40+ year track record in these activities has enriched the understanding of the complexities in GH. This has been strengthened by developments and implementation of the Millenium development goals and now the sustainable development goals. He co-authored one of the most frequently cited definitions of GH (Koplan, J. P. et al. 2009) and has a long-standing commitment to improving equity in GH partnerships.