Since childhood I have loved numbers. As I grew up they became my career priority.
My career journey began in 2000, when I started work as an accountant with Save the Children. I stayed there for three years before moving to the women’s rights organisation EASSI (Eastern African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women).
At EASSI I worked across eight countries in eastern Africa in a finance and administration role until 2008. In 2009 I moved to the Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG), first as CFO, and then as managing director from 2014. In 2019, I co-founded the social enterprise Capital Solutions. I’m determined to move the sustainability and social entrepreneurship agenda forward in Africa.
I am chairperson of the Forum for Women in Democracy. I’m also treasurer at Humentum and board vice chairperson at Uganda Reinsurance, and founded the Luzira Alliance Savings and Credit Cooperative Society.
Improving financial access and creating decent jobs for women and young people makes it a very satisfying role
I have had a very satisfying career since I joined the NGO sector. There are few professional accountants working in the field, therefore those who come on board can make a huge impact. The proposed standard for NGOs, IFR4NPO, which Humentum is spearheading, will also help the sector to streamline financial reporting.
I have always led with the mindset of a servant. This way the team connects with the leader and is willing to do more. As accountants, we have an opportunity to know everything within an organisation, which gives us a headstart into leadership. What is essential is to put people first and to help non-finance people appreciate the financial statements. I use my finance expertise to make informed decisions, and this has allowed me to be trusted and open.
Often known as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, Uganda has great climate and food, and hospitable people. However, it faces many challenges, largely from the bulging youth population – 75% of the population is aged below 30, and many face unemployment. Gender-based violence is also on the rise.
But there are also opportunities. The oil and gas sector is developing quickly, and there are climate change business opportunities. Uganda has a great deal of entrepreneurial spirit.
If I had law-making powers, I would exempt startups from paying taxes for their first 10 years of operation. SMEs are the best at creating jobs and stabilising the economy. Tax exemption would give them a chance to grow and thrive.
There are few professional accountants working in the NGO field, so those who come on board can make a huge impact
I enjoy everything about my job at Capital Solutions. I especially like the impact we have on the social enterprises we support. Improving financial access and creating decent jobs for women and young people makes it a very satisfying role.
I’m proud of my honorary doctorate from the Swiss School of Business and Management and my numerous other professional qualifications, particularly my MBA and, of course, ACCA. Other achievements in my career include starting a social investment fund that supports young and female entrepreneurs across East Africa.
I also created a social entrepreneurship forum which has a membership of over 250 social enterprises that encourage business growth. As MD of UHMG I raised financial resources that impacted over 12 million Ugandans annually between 2015 and 2018. I have been privileged to win several leadership awards at national and international level.
I love being a qualified accountant. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. If I wasn’t a finance professional I would like to have been a monitoring and evaluation specialist, because I enjoy analysis.
In my spare time I love doing aerobics because it relaxes me. As a mother, time spent with family is very precious.
