40 Women In Top Banking Positions Named

On March8, 2018, Uganda will join the rest of the world to celebrate the International Women’s Day.  This day brings into perspective the issue of women emancipation that has been prominent in President Yoweri Museveni’s 32 years in power.

While women have generally been empowered, a few occupy top executive positions compared to men. In banking sector, top executive positions are mostly occupied by men. For example, out of the 24 commercial banks in Uganda, there is only one bank that is headed by a woman. It is against this background that Business Focusr brings you top 30 women in top positions in Uganda’s banking sector. This will go a long way in inspiring other women especially those in lower positions to work hard and climb to top. The list is in no particular order.

Annet Nakawunde Mulindwa

She is one of the few women heading a commercial bank in Uganda. She is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Finance Trust Bank. Born in 1960s, Nakawunde graduated from Makerere with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, she obtained a postgraduate diploma in financial management from the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) in Kampala. Still later, she obtained a Master of Business Administration in finance, also from UMI.

In the early 1990s, she started out her career at Pride Microfinance Limited and later moved to Nile Bank Limited, before joining Finance Trust Bank. At Finance Trust, she has worked in different capacities. On 3 April 2012, she was appointed as managing director and CEO of what was still known as Uganda Finance Trust, a microfinance institution. When the Bank of Uganda granted Finance Trust a full commercial banking license in 2014, she became the second woman in the banking history of the country to rise to the rank of CEO at a commercial bank, behind Edigold Monday (who is no longer heading any bank).

Veronicah Namagembe

Namagembe is one of the seasoned women bankers in Uganda. She is the Managing Director at Pride Microfinance Limited (MDI). She has been in this position since 2009. She is entrusted with leadership of the team and responsible for the operational and strategic direction of the company.

From November 2004 to August 2009, she was the Acting Deputy Managing Director and Head of Operations at the same institution. She has managed to keep the company profitable.

Namagembe holds Masters of Finance and Accounting, Bachelors of Business Administration from Durham University.

She has also studied Strategic leadership in Inclusive Finance from Harvard Business School Executive Education.

Annette Wabunoha Kihuguru

She has been in the banking institution for close to 30years. Over the years, she has worked with Uganda Commercial Bank, Stanbic Bank Uganda, Barclays Bank Uganda and currently working with Ecobank Uganda as the Executive Director and Head Commercial Banking .

Annette holds a Masters degree in Management from The Uganda Management Institute in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (Economics and Political Science from Makerere University. She has in addition had various international and local trainings over the years mainly in banking. Other responsibilities besides banking are coaching, mentoring and developing team members to enhance their strengths. She is one of the senior women bankers poised for CEO/MD position in the near future.

Sarah Arapta

She is the Chief Executive Officer at Citibank Uganda. She is one of the few women CEOs in Uganda’s banking sector. She joined Citibank Uganda as CEO in January 2016.

Prior to joining Citibank, she was the Director, Corporate & Investment Banking at Barclays Bank where she served from Jun 2014 – Nov 2015.

She also worked at Stanbic Bank Uganda in various capacities including   Head, Investment Banking and Head, Corporate Banking. She holds Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Makerere University and a couple of other qualifications.

Patricia Ojangole

She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Uganda Development Bank.  Prior to joining UDB in 2012, Patricia Ojangole had worked for 13 years in various African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Botswana. Her work had covered diverse business areas including credit, risk management and finance.  She joined Uganda Development Bank Limited as Head, Internal Audit where she was critical in ensuring that good governance and policies were being used to manage the business.

Patricia holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from ESAMI and a Bachelor of Commerce honors degree from Makerere University. She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Member of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda and the Institute of Internal Auditors.

 Candy Wekesa Okoboi

Okoboi has been the Head of Legal and Company Secretary at Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited. She joined Stanbic in February 2016 from UAP Holdings Limited where she served as Acting Group Company Secretary from 2012.  Okoboi also served as Secretary of Uganda Securities Exchange Limited having joined in March 2010. From 2002-2006, she worked as Director, Legal and Compliance at Capital Markets Authority- Uganda

She holds Barchelo of Law from Makerere University and MBA from University of Edinburgh Business School.

Primrose Kobusingye

Kobusingye is one of the best communications and marketing gurus in Uganda.

She is currently the Head of Marketing, Product Development and Communications at Ecobank Uganda.

She joined the Pan-African in September 2015.

Kobusingye has experience in Corporate Marketing Communications with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry.

Before joining Ecobank, she served as Agcting Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at Orient Bank Uganda from September 2012 to August 2015. She has also previously worked at Scanad Uganda and    Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development-still playing communications roles. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Makerere University and Master of Business Administration (MBA) majoring in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. She has also studied marketing at the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Kobusingye’s future is no doubt bright considering her innovativeness and communications/marketing acumen.

Stella Malinga Twesigye

She is the Head of Banking Services at FINCA Uganda. She joined the institution in 2014 as the Head of Banking Services having started her banking career at Standard Chartered Bank where she worked as a Banking Officer before joining Diamond Trust Bank and Barclays Bank of Uganda where she performed a number of roles. Her banking experience spans over 10 years in the fields of Retail banking, Branch Operations, Centralized Operations, Internal Control Rigour, Risk Management and Human Resources. Stella holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Quantitative Economics of Makerere University Kampala and Masters of Business Administration from Nkozi University Kampala.

Catherine Wamatsembe

She is the Head of Internal Audit at Equity Bank Uganda. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Oxford Brookes University and a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Makerere University; she is an FCCA and member of the Association of the Chartered Certified Accountants of UK (ACCA). She has 23 years’ experience in banking and 18 years as an Internal Auditor. Catherine previously worked with former UCB (now Stanbic) and with NARO before joining UML in 2003, now Equity Bank Uganda.

Rita Balaka

Balaka is the Head of Compliance at Stanbic Bank Uganda Ltd, a position she has occupied since 2014. She has previously worked with Citibank Uganda Limited. She holds BA (Hon) Econ & Soc. Admn & MA Econ, Policy & Planning from Makerere University. She also has ACCA to her name.

Dorothy Kiyaga

She is the Head of Internal Audit at Housing Finance Bank. Dorothy is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya and Uganda. She holds a Masters in Accounting & Finance from Makerere University and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting) from Makerere University.

She has over 10 years in Internal Audit experience.

 Allen Ayebare

She is the Chief Manager, Corporate Affairs and Communications at Centenary Bank. She has been in this position since 2013.

From Feb 2011 – Jan 2013, Ayebare was Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager at the same bank.

She has previous worked with British Council and National Housing and Construction Company. She holds Masters in Business Administration – Marketing from Makerere University Business School, Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Makerere University and other professions.

Sarah Gwokyalya

Gwokyalya is the Compliance Manager at Finance Trust Bank. She possesses over 10 years’ experience in Banking and Internal Audit and has previously worked with Centenary bank and Post Bank Uganda. She is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Institute of the Internal Auditors (IIA) and a certified Public Accountant (CPA (u)). She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Makerere University and is currently pursuing certification from Global Institute of Internal Auditors.

Helen Nangonzi

Nangonzi is the Head Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Kenya & East Africa – Standard Chartered Bank. She was appointed to this position in March 2017. She has worked with Standard Chartered Bank Uganda in various capacities including Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Human Resource Relationship Manager and General Manager Marketing & Head, Service Quality.

She holds Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Eastern and southern Africa Management Institute and Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Makerere University.

Peace Ayebazibwe Kabunga

She is the Head of Mortgage and Development Finance at Housing Finance Bank.

Ayebazibwe has a professional experience of 15 years spanning an extensive career path in sales and relationship management, credit and Finance. She holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from Amity University, India, a Bachelor of Statistics (MUK) and ACCA. Previously, Ayebazibwe has held positions as the Head Mortgages at Barclays Bank and Head-Workplace Banking at Stanbic Bank.

Sarah K. Nakkazi

She is the Head of Compliance at Equity Bank Uganda. Nakkazi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University Kampala Uganda, a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from Amity University, India and a professional certification in Banking Risk & Regulations with the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). She is also a licensed trustee (staff appointed) of the Bank’s retirement benefit scheme.

She joined Equity Bank in June 2012 from Standard Chartered Bank where she had worked for 5 years. She joined the bank as a Compliance Officer. From March 2015, she acted as the Compliance Manager until January 2016 when she was appointed to the position of Risk Manager. In September, 2016, the board approved her appointment as the Bank’s Compliance Manager.

Brenda Namirembe Magoba

Namirembe is the Company Secretary and Head of Legal at FINCA Uganda.  Brenda started her legal career 10 years ago as a Legal Associate and rose through the ranks to become Head of Legal and Company Secretary, a role she currently holds. Before joining FINCA Uganda in 2011, Brenda worked with Finance Trust Bank and the defunct Global Trust Bank as Legal Manager and Legal Supervisor respectively. Throughout her Career path, Brenda has acquired vast experience in several banking fields ranging from Legal and Corporate affairs to Finance, Treasury, Human Resource and Administration, Recovery, Marketing, Risk and compliance and general Operations.

She holds Bachelors of Laws Degree (LLB Hons) from Makerere University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, Kampala.

Patricia Nshemereirwe

She is the Head of Operations at Stanbic Bank Uganda. She has 15 years of experience in Commercial Banking, with specific exposure to Central Operations, Payments System efficiencies, Project Management, Procurement, Marketing & Customer Service.  She was elevated to this position in January 2018, having been the Head of Production at the same bank from 2014. Before joining Stanbic, she served as Head of Operations at dfcu Bank from 2013 up to September 2014. Earlier on, she had been Head of Projects & Procurement at the same bank from 2011 up to March 2013.

She was also the Marketing Manager at dfcu Bank from 2010 up to November 2011.

She holds Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Uganda Martyrs University and Bachelor of Social Sciences from Makerere University.

Hope Ekudu

Hope joined Housing Finance Bank in 2014 after working with Barclays Bank Uganda for eight years in various capacities within the Operations department.  She has served at Housing Finance Bank in various capacities including General Manager, Operations and Business Technology, General Manager, Retail Banking and General Manager Operations.

She is currently the Head of Retail Banking at Housing Finance Bank.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University as well as a Masters in Business Administration from Heriot Watt University. She has also received executive coaching as part of the inaugural CEO apprenticeship club (2013), a program run by the CEO summit intended to nurture leadership talent in Uganda.

Marietta N. Mwesigwa

She is the Head of Risk Management at Housing Finance Bank.

She has more than 10 years of proven banking experience, knowledge and risk management expertise. She is responsible for development, review and managing execution of the Bank’s Enterprise Risk Management framework.  Marietta is a Certified Risk & Compliance Management Professional (USA) as well as a Certified Continuity Manager (USA). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Makerere University, Kampala. She is also a member of the International Association of Risk and Compliance Professionals

Josephine Kabaga

She is the Head of Private Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda.

She has a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. She is skilled in Portfolio Management, Financial Risk, Business Relationship Management, Risk Management, and Corporate Finance. She has an MBA from the University of Leicester.

Annette Kiggundu

She is the Acting Executive Director at Finance Trust Bank. She joined the Bank in May 2016 as Head of Treasury with over 12 years of progressive banking experience in the fields of treasury and financial management, International business, Risk, Compliance and Operations. Previously, she worked with UBA Uganda and Centenary bank.

She is a Chartered accountant with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), holds a Bachelor’s of Commerce degree (Accounting) and currently pursuing a Master`s degree in Financial Management at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot Watt University.

Owembabazi Muyinda Judith

Judith is the Head of Marketing and Product Development at Housing Finance Bank. She is a senior member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), a pioneer governing council member of East African Public Relations Association (EAPRA) and a governing council finance committee member of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU). She holds an MBA in Marketing (Merit), Bachelors in Mass Communications, a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science, all from Makerere University. She has also trained extensively in Strategy and Management in Banking (Dublin/London), Marketing and Branding Financial services (Johannesburg, SA), Finance for Non Finance Managers (Acclaim Africa Ltd) and Public Procurement & Disposal of Public Assets among others.

Caroline J. BASEMERA

She is the Head of Human Resources at Commercial Bank of Africa, Uganda Ltd.  She joined the bank in February 2013 and has valuable experience in Uganda’s banking sector.

She has previously worked at PostBank Uganda Ltd and Centenary Rural Development Bank Ltd as Human Resources Manager. She also served at Allied Bank Ltd (Currently Bank of Africa Uganda) in various capacities including Personnel & Administration Officer.

With a long career in the financial services sector in Uganda coupled with a broad understanding of Human Resources Management as a practice (HR Generalist),   Basemera holds Masters in Global Human Resource Management from University of Liverpool. She also holds Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from Uganda Management Institute and Bachelors of Social Sciences from Makerere University.

Joyce Nakalema

Nakalema is the Head of Human Resource at FINCA Uganda. She is an Organizational Psychologist with over 12 years of experience in consulting and practice regarding Human Resource and Organizational Development. She holds a Master of Organisational Psychology from Makerere University. Prior to joining FINCA, Joyce worked with the private sector, non-government and public organizations. These include: Ecobank, Eskom Uganda Limited, Finance Trust Bank and PILA Consultants.

Victoria Byenkya

Byenkya is the Manager Women In Business at DFCU Bank. She has played a big role in inspiring and empowering women in business.  Dfcu Bank has run the Women in Business programme over the last nine years with a focus on creating an enabling environment for today’s woman entrepreneur in the Small and Medium Enterprises.

Patricia Kemirembe Katende

She is the Secretary & Head Legal Services at Finance Trust Bank. Kemirembe has 10 years of professional experience in law and in-house legal counsel services. She is a Charted Corporation Secretary, a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) UK, a holder of an honors Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Makerere University a post graduate diploma in legal practice from the Law Development Centre, Kampala. Patricia is an enrolled Advocate of the High court and all courts subordinate to it. She has worked with Uganda Microfinance Limited and Centenary Bank at senior levels.

Cynthia Mpanga

She is the Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing Manager at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Ltd. The seasoned communications guru has served at Standard Chartered Bank Group including Acting Head of Brand and Corporate Communications at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd and   Head of Corporate Affairs & Marketing at Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Ltd. She has an MBA from Heriot-Watt University and holds Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) from Makerere University.

She also holds a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies from the Uganda Institute of Business and Media Studies and a host of other qualifications.

Rachael Nantongo

Nantongo is the Head of Operations at Finance Trust Bank. She has over 10 years practical experience in banking operations. She has been with the institution right from Uganda women`s Finance Trust and has served in areas of customer care, cashiering, credit. She has also served as branch manager, regional manager and compliance manager.

She holds a Masters of Business Administration and Management and a bachelor of arts Degree in social sciences (M.U.K) and has several certificates in areas of banking operations.

Hajjat Safina N. Wabuna

Hajjat Safina is the Executive Director ICT Operation at Postbank Uganda. She has been with the bank since 2004. She is a holder of Master of Science degree in Information Technology and an entrepreneurial Executive with 20 years extensive experience in managing ICT, Operations & compliance at various levels for high-technology organizations.

Stella Naigulu

Naigulu currently is the Head of Human Resource at Finance Trust Bank. She has 17 years of experience in Human Resource Management and Administration. She has served the Bank in the capacities of Human Resource Manager and as a Personnel/Administrative/Public Relations Officer. Prior to Joining FTB, she served as a Human Resource & Administrative Officer (SWIPCO Uganda) and Training and Public Relations Officer (SWIPCO Uganda) among others.

She holds a Post graduate Diploma in Management (UMI), an honors degree in BA (Arts)(MUK), Uganda Diploma in Business Studies (MUBS) and is finalizing MHRM (MUBS)

She participated in the transformation of UWFT to Uganda Finance Trust and played an important role especially in the area of training and change management.

Sarah Patricia Nabwire

She is the Head of Risk at Postbank Uganda. She has been with the Bank since 2007. She is also a Member of the Association of Chartered certified accountants (ACCA) and a Member of ICPA (U).

Christine Namata

Namata is the Head of Finance at Finance Trust Bank. She previously served as the Finance Manager of Finance Trust Bank. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a holder of a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management as well as BCOM – Accounting.

She is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Finance & accounting. Christine has over 10 years of practical experience in Microfinance especially in the Finance field. Prior to joining Finance Trust Bank, she served as a Finance Officer, Accountant, Senior Accountant and Finance Manager at Pride Microfinance Limited (MDI).

Roselyn Najjuma       

Najjuma   is the current Head of Product s (Personal and Business Banking) at Stanbic Bank Uganda, a position she has occupied since February 2014. Najjuma has valuable experience in Uganda’s banking sector. Before joining Stanbic, she worked as Head of Product s , Marketing and Sales   at Bank of Africa Uganda from May 2012 –Feb 2014.

She has also previously worked with Barclays Bank including being   Product Manager (Bancassurance, Islamic banking and Business Lending) – Consumer Banking   at Barclays Bank Kenya,    Product Manager (Loans and Insurance) – Consumer at Barclays Bank (U) LTD , Head of MI & Analytics –  Credit Risk Department  at  Barclays Bank (U) LTD,   IT Change and Projects Manager  at Barclays Bank (U) LTD, a position she served from April 2004 – September 2007.

Najjuma   is well schooled. She is currently pursuing an MBA at Warwick Business School,               Coventry, United Kingdom. She holds Masters in Computer Science from    Makerere University and a Bachelor’s degree in Science (Physics, Mathematics) from the same University.

Charity Busingye

Busingye is the Chief Commercial Officer at FINCA Uganda. She joined the institution as the Agriculture Lending Specialist in 2013 and went through the ranks to become the Chief Commercial Officer in 2016. Prior to her appointment in FINCA, she worked for Ministry of Finance/MCAP project as the Institutional /Capacity building Manager. She was in charge of assessing MDIs, MFIs and SACCOs for funding to drive their operations towards self-sustainability.  Charity also worked for MFPED/PWC, EU/SUFFICE as a grant Manager as well as the in-charge of wholesale lending: having come from EDF/Micro Projects doing the same roles.Charity holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Economics from Makerere University and currently pursuing MBA (Management).

If you know senior practicing women bankers, send their profiles to staddewo@gmail.com or call 0775170346