Dr Maria is a senior researcher with Afya na Haki, a professor of law in the Department of Public and comparative law at Makerere University School of Law and an advocate of the courts of judicature in Uganda. Her research interests include governance, organisational development, and human rights with a specific focus on women’s and children’s rights and civil society.

Maria has successfully merged academic rigour with activism, as demonstrated by her track record of resuscitating organisations for strategic programming and has served in the leadership of numerous civil society organisations.