FINCA Uganda Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings a breadth of expertise and dedication to providing access to responsible financial services
Olive Lumonya Birungi
BOARD CHAIRPERSON
Olive Lumonya
Olive brings over 22 years of Brand Marketing, public relations, corporate communication and customer service experience working and training several corporate organizations in Uganda to FINCA Uganda. She has extensive experience with stakeholder engagement, and media management, She has had a powerful mark focusing on Brand management, positioning and personal branding. She has been involved in several landmark branding and re-branding projects in some of the leading corporate companies which include Nile Breweries Limited, a subsidiary of SAB Miller and the National Social Security Fund where she successfully launched a new brand after 27 years of existence with over 80% acceptance rate in the first 6 months. Her marketing experience includes planning and developing marketing strategies, brand plans, communication strategies, Corporate Social Responsibility policies and balanced scorecard. Currently, Olive is the Country Director of SOS Children’s Villages Uganda, a leading child focused International NGO which focuses on providing comprehensive care and education for the children while strengthening the financial growth and sustainability of the families in the communities.
Olive is a holder of a Bachelor of Mass Communications from the Makerere University Kampala and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute ESAMI. She is a chartered Marketer, from the Chartered institute of Marketing and has studied several short certificate courses including the Market driving forces from the London Business School, and the Balanced Score Card champion I USA, Branding from South Africa, Social Security financing in Italy and several others that have strengthened and broadened her knowledge and understanding on several areas.
Alejandro Jakubowicz
DIRECTOR
Alejandro Jakubowicz
Mr. Alejandro Jakubowicz is a seasoned executive with over 29 years of banking experience. Mr. Jakubowicz most recently served as the FINCA Deputy Regional Director for Africa and the CEO of FINCA DR Congo, the largest microfinance institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has also held leadership roles for Citibank in Latin America and was a former board member of Visa Argentina. Prior to becoming the Acting CEO for FINCA Uganda, Alejandro was the Deputy Regional Director for FINCA Africa Region, Alejandro is currently the Deputy Regional Director for Latin America.
Juma Yusuf Kigozi Walusimbi
DIRECTOR
Juma Yusuf Kigozi Walusimbi
Mr. Juma Y.K Walusimbi joined the FINCA Uganda Board of Directors in 2016. Juma is a dedicated, resourceful and passionate banking professional. A holder of MBA (Finance) and B.Com (Accounting) with over 36 years of illustrious banking carrier with Bank of Uganda, Juma worked as Director Communication & BOU Spokesperson, Director External Debt Management & Aid Coordination, Director Exchange Control and Security Management; Deputy Head Banking Supervision, Internal Audit and Accounts. Prior to joining the Bank of Uganda, Mr. Walusimbi served at Tropical Bank as Senior Manager Business Development & marketing, Bank Inspector and in HR and administration. Juma possesses extensive international exposure gained as part of Government Delegations to various multilateral financial institutions such as IMF, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank, Macro Economic & Financial Management institution (MEFMI) among others; where he played a Key role in the reduction and rescheduling of Uganda’s external Debt. |He also served at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) as a Board Member and Chairman of the Membership Services’ and Development Board Committee. He was Chair of the Panel of Judges of the 2015 PSFU Awards for 4 successive years. He was a Board Member of the Management Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC) and Chairperson, Finance & Administration Committee. Mr. Walusimbi also served as President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda – PRAU for 2 terms (2006-2010) and Council Member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).
Isaiah G Chindumba
DIRECTOR
Isaiah G Chindumba
Isaiah Chindumba is a Financial services Professional with over 26 years of banking experience. Isaiah worked for Citibank for 23 years until 2008. For the past 5 years, Isaiah has been based in Rwanda providing financial services expertise and is currently the Chief Operating Officer for I&M BANK RWANDA LIMITED, a position he has held since 2009. He is also a Board Member of three other FINCA subsidiaries in Africa.
Mr. Chindumba has business interest in the Insurance and Tourism sector in Zambia
“Ask and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. ” Author: Jesus
Richard S. Bbale Mugera
DIRECTOR
Richard S. Bbale Mugera
Richard brings on board over 21 years of experience in various sectors like fuels, telecommunications, and real estate and investment funds. Richard has notable achievements like growing the Non Fuel retail section of Shell Uganda to include non-Fuel dealers to a considerable business Unit. Later contributing over $ 5m a month in new initiatives. Richard spearheaded the set-up of the Marketing Communications Department and strategy and managed the company re-launch project at Celtel Uganda and has special interests in B2B Business Strategies. Richard interests include Start Up entrepreneurship for Small to Medium enterprises, Team modeling and Coaching, Leadership coaching and Time management, Conflict resolution, relationship building and Diplomacy.
Currently Richard is working for Ascent Capital an investment fund as Country Director
Collin Mugasha
DIRECTOR
Collin Mugasha
Collin has 20 years of experience in the I.T industry in East Africa. He worked for a regional systems integrator LANTECH Africa where he was involved in numerous projects including the initial ATM rollout for Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of Uganda network (LAN) and applications as well as the UN Head Office LAN.
in 2003, he went on to work for the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) a World Bank Project at the Ministry of Finance which automated payments Ministries, Local Governments and Agencies as well as the RTGS network to the Bank of Uganda.
Collin moved on to the National Social Security Fund in 2007 as the Deputy Chief Information Officer and later Chief Information Officer for a period of 5 years to March 2015 where the Fund underwent process automation and was transformed using digital channels for member and employer access.
He is currently working with the Oracle Corporation leading their cloud business and territory manager to-date.
He is a graduate of Computer Science (MUST), Business Administration (University of Leicester) & Masters in Leadership in ICT & Knowledge Society (Dublin City University and University of Mauritius) with various professional certifications in Business Continuity, Security and Strategy.
FINCA Uganda Management Team
Our management team brings vast experience, professional skills and expertise from various industry backgrounds
James Onyutta
MANAGING DIRECTOR
James Onyutta
James Onyutta is the Managing Director of FINCA Uganda Limited (MDI). As Managing Director, James leads an Executive Leadership Team focused on FINCA’s vision to build a network of sustainable and scalable social enterprises that improve lives. Under his leadership, FINCA Uganda is empowering its customers through access to sustainable financial solutions.
James has over 17 years microfinance and banking experience. Prior to joining FINCA Uganda, James served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Musoni Kenya Limited, the first institution in the world to deliver a 100% cashless/branchless banking model. He was responsible for overseeing the transformation of the institution to a paperless, cash free and data driven microfinance banking model, making it a leader in financial services innovation in the Kenyan Market.
Before joining Musoni, he worked for 13 years in FINCA Africa subsidiaries of Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi, notably serving in management capacities as Chief Finance Officer in Uganda and Tanzania. James was a key part of the finance team that revised the Global Subsidiaries’ Policy for FINCA International, led the project design and implementation team of Orbit Core Banking system for FINCA Uganda prior to an Africa Region roll out, supported the transformation of FINCA Tanzania to a Microfinance Bank and oversaw the post implementation, training and support of SIEM core banking in FINCA Malawi.
James is an Alumnus of Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, where he is a Certified Expert in Risk Management. He is a Certified Chartered Accountant with ACCA-UK and holds a First Class Honors degree in Bachelors of Business and Management from Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, Uganda. James is a sports enthusiast and actively supports the development of Volleyball in Uganda. He is married and has two children.
Robert Kakande
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Robert Kakande
Robert joined FINCA Uganda in 2017 as the Ag. Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer. He has a wealth of practical experience in Accounting, Finance, Banking and Leadership spanning over 15 years. He is a renowned Chartered and Certified Accountant and has held Senior Management positions in various organisations for a decade. Prior to joining FINCA Uganda, Robert worked with Quality Chemicals Ltd as Chief Executive Officer where he was responsible for key positive changes in strategic direction and grew the company to a level of attracting a USD 30 million investment in equity after working as Chief Finance Officer with the same organization. Before that, he worked with Uganda Finance Trust Ltd (MDI), (currently Finance Trust Bank) as Head of Finance and Administration where he made tremendous contribution towards turning around the company and mapping new strategic direction to its current status as a commercial bank. Robert started off his career as a Banking Officer at Centenary Bank, has been a Lecturer at Makerere University Business School and practiced Accountancy. Robert has undergone Advanced Executive Leadership training at Wharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania) in addition to a host of other trainings, majorly in Accounting, Finance, Banking and leadership throughout his career. He holds a Master of Science (MSC) degree in Accounting and Finance and a Bachelor of Commerce (BCOM) degree from Makerere University. Robert also holds a Higher Diploma in Marketing from MUBS in addition to being a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)-UK.
Claire Akampulira Ochienghs
HEAD OF LEGAL & COMPANY SECRETARY
Claire Akampulira Ochienghs
Claire joined FINCA Uganda Limited (MDI) in October 2019 as the Head Legal and Company Secretary. Claire is a proactive and seasoned Legal practitioner with ten years’ cognate experience, with a focus on Banking. Prior to her appointment in FINCA, Claire was the Head of Legal and Company Secretary of Cairo International Bank Ltd (CIB), where she worked for six years and was responsible for overseeing the Corporate Governance portfolio and most profound of her career achievement at CIB was establishment of the Legal and Compliance functions. As a corporate Legal practitioner, Claire possess hands on experience in interpretation of laws and regulations, supporting their implementation and has practical knowledge on implementation of Corporate Governance Principles and provision of general in-house counsel.
Before joining Cairo International Bank Ltd, Claire practiced law as an Advocate for several years at Tinyinondi .G. Legal Consultants & Advocates. Claire holds a Bachelors of Laws degree (LLB) from Makerere University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Law Development Center with various professional trainings in the areas of Governance, Leadership, Compliance and Risk Management. She is a member of the Uganda Law Society, East Africa Law Society and a student member with ICSA (UK).
Charity Busingye
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Charity Busingye
Charity joined FINCA Uganda 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).
Gideon Twesigye Timarwa
HEAD OF INTERNAL AUDIT
Gideon Twesigye Timarwa
Gideon joined FINCA Uganda in 2017 as the Head of Internal Audit. Prior to joining FINCA Uganda, Gideon worked at Standard Chartered Bank, KCB and Ernest and Young. He is a Certified Information Systems Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner with over 10 years experience in planning and execution of both Operational and Information Systems Audits (internal and external); fraud risk management and investigation experience. Gideon is also a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). Over the year, Gideon has acquired experience in audit leadership at organizational and engagement level from various engagements in Internal Audit Management, Information Systems Reviews, Business Continuity Planning; IT project implementation quality assurance, System Post Implementation Reviews, Information Security Framework Advisory, fraud risk management strategy implementation and fraud investigations. His professional experience portfolio comprises work performed across a diverse range of sectors – banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, hospitality, manufacturing and development organizations. He has designed and facilitated a number of trainings to organizations in the use of Data Analytics tools and processes; Business Continuity Plan simulation test programs, Fraud Risk awareness programs; and implementation of Information Security Management Systems according to ISO 27001 specifics. E.g. He facilitated training and conference presentations to both the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Uganda, the ACFE Uganda and ISACA Kampala chapters on Information Security Risks, Investigating Anti-Money Laundering and Information Security Auditing.
Stephen Mugerwa
CHIEF ACCOUNTANT
Stephen Mugerwa
Stephen’s work experience spans over 17 years mainly in the Banking Industry. He started his banking career at Centenary Bank in 1997 and rose through the ranks to Principal Accountant position (deputizing the Head of Department at that time). He later joined ABC Capital Bank as their Finance and Administration Manager. Before joining FINCA Uganda in 2013, Stephen worked with Vision Finance Company Rwanda as their Chief Financial Officer. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Business and Administration (Accounting) degree (UMU), Master of Science (MSC) Risk Management and Investments (UEL), as well as a post graduate Diploma in Management Information Systems.
Joram Byamatungo Kasenene
HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION
Joram Byamatungo Kasenene
Joram Byamatungo Kasenene is a Chartered Procurement professional (MCIPS) with a work experience spanning over 7 years in Administration and Procurement. Having begun his career with a Non Governmental Organisation, he later ventured into banking. Prior to joining FINCA Uganda as Head of Administration in 2016, Joram worked with Equity Bank Uganda Ltd as the procurement Manager.
Joram is a holder of a First Class Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Supply chain Management (MUK) and also a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (UK).
FINCA IMPACT FINANCE Global Leadership
The FMH leadership team manages a global organization of more than 12,000 employees