Executive Director

Patrick Oketa

Patrick Oketa is FSD Uganda’s Executive Director. He is a seasoned banker, economist, and finance professional with experience in debt investing, private equity, development banking and advisory.He has over 20 years of experience working to deploy capital to businesses which have the potential to positively change the livelihoods of Uganda’s most vulnerable communities.

Patrick most recently worked as Managing Director at Aval Capital.  His experience includes roles with Development Banks such as: the African Development Bank, East African Development Bank, and the Uganda Development Bank. He has also in the past worked for Actis, Acumen and Pearl Capital as Director and partner.

Patrick is passionate about financial inclusion and impact investing. He is an ardent advocate for the increase in the role of the financial sector as a contributor to the national GDP of Uganda with a belief that this could exponentially improve the livelihood of millions of Ugandans which fits in well with FSD Uganda’s vision and mission.

He holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Economics, Masters in Banking and Finance and an MBA.

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Joseph Lutwama

Joseph Sanjula Lutwama is the Director of Programs at FSD Uganda. He is a Financial Markets and Business Strategy Expert with a strong background in economics and research. Prior to joining FSD Uganda, Joseph served as the Director of Research and Market Development at the Uganda Capital Markets Authority. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in Economic Policy and Planning from Makerere University. He has over 20 years of experience managing and implementing interventions in economic policy development, business development, financial sector development, financial sector regulation and inclusive finance.

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Sarah Y. Byabazaire

Sarah is a seasoned banker with over 10 years of senior and organisational leadership experience in the financial services sector. She has a wealth of expertise in organisational governance, banking, business analytics, strategic project planning, and management.

She brings on board over 15 years of financial services experience gained from working for Barclays Bank (now ABSA), and Stanbic Bank, where she held different leadership roles in consumer, small and medium enterprises, and business banking. Most recently, she worked as the Deputy Director in charge of Business Operations at a CDC funded project that focuses on quality management systems.

She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Wales Prifysgol De Cymms, ACCA Certificate, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences majoring in Economics from Makerere University

DIRECTOR - DEAL FLOW FACILITY

Norah Koigi Ngare

Norah Koigi Ngare is the Director – Deal Flow Facility (DFF). Ms. Ngare is tasked with operationalising the DFF and enhancing the Facility’s engagement with market actors. She is an investment professional with 15 years’ experience in impact asset management, corporate finance, investment advisory, and treasury management in East, West and Southern Africa.

Her sectoral expertise cuts across agriculture, finance, education, health, water and sanitation, and also includes rural livelihoods, eco-tourism, and conservation financing. Prior to joining FSD Uganda, she worked as a Senior Investment Officer at Finance in Motion.

She holds a Postgraduate Honors degree in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management from the University of Cape Town, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Nairobi and has recently completed a Master of Science in Development Finance from the Strathmore University Business School, Nairobi, Kenya.

DIGITAL ECONOMY LEAD

Jackie Kitiibwa

Jackie Kitiibwa is the Digital Economy Lead at FSD Uganda, working with regulators, policymakers and industry associations to formulate and enhance policies, laws, regulations and processes that enable and support inclusive financial services.

Jackie is a financial sector specialist with over 17 years experience in payments and market infrastructure. She was the Programme Manager, Payment Systems and Financial Inclusion at the Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI), developing and implementing capacity-building programmes in 14 countries. Prior to that, she was Head of the Central Securities Depository (CSD) at the Bank of Uganda (BOU).

Through her work, Jackie has supported countries in the region to formulate, develop and implement financial services’ policies, standards and technologies. She has also participated in regional payment systems harmonisation initiatives including the review and implementation of regional legal frameworks, oversight benchmarks and technical specifications

Jackie holds a Master’s Degree in Economics and Financial Economics from the University of Nottingham, UK and a Bachelor of Statistics from Makerere University Kampala, Uganda.

Agriculture and MSME Finance Lead

Geoffrey Okidi

Geoffrey Okidi is the Agriculture and MSME Finance Lead at Financial Sector Deepening Uganda. He is responsible for thought leadership and strategy for MSME development and Digital Finance with emphasis on the agricultural, trade and light manufacturing sectors. He is further charged with portfolio management, managing results and learning as well as business risk and resource management.

Geoffrey is an Agricultural Economist with 15+ years of international development work experience spanning the agribusiness, MSMEs, financial services and INGO sectors. His technical expertise is in agricultural value chain development and financing, project planning and management, public-private partnerships development and resource mobilization. Prior to joining FSD Uganda, Geoffrey served at the Agricultural Business Initiative (aBi) for seven years in various capacities, with his last assignment being Ag. Chief Operating Officer at aBi Development Ltd. Previously, he served as Business Development Specialist at World Vision Uganda, Grants Administrator at USAID LEAD Project and Agricultural Loan Officer at Centenary Bank.

He holds a First-Class Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (Economics major) and a Master of Business Administration degree, both obtained from Makerere University. He also holds a First-Class Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from the Uganda Management Institute and a Diploma from Galilee International Management Institute focusing on SME growth through Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

INTERVENTION MANAGER, BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Anthea Paelo, Ph.D.

Anthea Paelo, Ph.D. is the Intervention Manager, Business Environment at Financial Sector Deepening Uganda. She is an economist with expertise in competition and economic regulation in East and Southern Africa. Prior to joining FSD Uganda, Anthea worked as an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) in Johannesburg during which time she undertook a number of microeconomic studies on various sectors in a number of countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. She has also written a number of research papers and peer-reviewed material.

She has a Doctorate in Economics from the University of Johannesburg. Her topic considers how the competitive dynamics of the mobile financial services sector in Kenya and Uganda affect initiatives to bring about financial inclusion.

INTERVENTION MANAGER, MSME FINANCE

Carolyne Ariokot

Carolyne Ariokot is FSD Uganda’s Intervention Manager MSME Finance; she works with partners in public and private sectors and with development actors to improve the penetration and relevance of financial services for underserved markets. Carolyne has over 10 years’ experience working in the financial sector specializing in strategy execution, operational excellence, quality assurance, project management, risk and compliance management.

She previously worked with KCB Bank Uganda as a projects manager overseeing core banking system re-implementation, new products, system infrastructure and channels development. A certified PRINCE2 practitioner, Carolyne also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences.

INTERVENTION MANAGER, MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE

Diana Akullu Wanyama

Mrs. Diana Akullu Wanyama the is Intervention Manager – Market Infrastructure of Financial Sector Deepening Uganda. She has over 12 years’ experience in Commercial banking and Technology. She has specialized in Digital Finance – Product Management, IT, Project Management and Customer Experience.

Over the past 11 years, Diana has been at the helm of intersecting business needs with technology demands, providing measurable results. She is very good at forging partnerships with vendors and key stakeholders to ensure regular engagement and develop specific solutions to market problems.

Dianahas worked with dfcu Bank, in different capacities i.e., Manager Digital Channels Products, Business Development Manager E-banking and Manager Contact Centre .

She is the current Chairperson of Digital Frontiers Association (DFA) of Uganda and a founder board member of the Alliance of Digital Finance Associations based in South Africa.

Diana holds a bachelors’ degree in telecommunication engineering, from Kyambogo University. She has a certificate in Digital Money (CIDM), Leading Digital Money Markets (LDMM).

INVESTMENT OFFICER - DEAL FLOW FACILITY

Alvin Otim

Alvin Otim is the Investment Officer for the Deal Flow Facility (DFF), being implemented by FSD Uganda in collaboration with the Capital Markets Authority of Uganda, funded by the European Union.

Alvin is an investment professional with a passion to identify and channel capital to high-growth African businesses. He has been the country representative for IM Burbidge Capital, a leading corporate finance advisory firm in East Africa where he structured and advised on venture capital and private equity deals worth over USD 20M.

He also worked as a management consultant with Open Capital Advisors where he led an SME Business Development Support program in partnership with Oxfam.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Makerere University Business School, is a certified Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA), a certified Business Intelligence and Data Analyst( BIDA) and is currently pursuing the CFA charter.

Portfolio Relationship Manager - Deal Flow Facility

Brenda Amony

Brenda Amony is a Portfolio Relationship Manager with the Deal Flow Facility (DFF). Brenda has over 12 years working experience in the financial services sector and carries with her a wealth of experience in business and strategy development, stakeholder management, financial risk analysis and project management.

Prior to her role at DFF, Brenda worked as a project manager with DENMAR Consulting Limited; and previously as a Senior Relationship Manger in the Corporate and Investment Banking Department with Citibank – Uganda.

COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

Brenda Banura

Brenda is a journalist by profession who started her career in the Daily Monitor newsroom, before pursuing development communications with components of advocacy.

She has served as a writer, editor and offered communications, advocacy, and public relations expertise to various projects under reputable organisations.  These include the GIZ Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme (PREEEP) alongside the GIZ Employment and Skills for Development (E4D) Uganda initiative, the USAID Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity (LARA), USAID Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING) project and The International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA).

She has Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Makerere University.

IMPACT LEAD

Janani Luwum Onencan

Janani is a certified monitoring and evaluation expert with over 15 years of experience in project results based management, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

He has specialised in designing and implementing evaluations, research, assessments, and surveys suitable for donor reporting requirements.

Janani worked as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor under the Promoting Rural Development Programme at Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. He also worked as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist under four different USAID-funded projects. These are USAID Domestic Revenue Mobilisation for Development Activity, USAID Power Africa Uganda Electricity Supply Accelerator Activity, USAID Rights and Rule of Law Activity, USAID Sustainable Comprehensive Responses for Vulnerable Children and their Families, and USAID Northern Uganda Development of Enhanced Infrastructure and Livelihoods.

Previously he worked with CARE International Uganda, as the Programme Quality and Learning Coordinator and with the Norwegian Refugee Council as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and a Master of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation obtained from Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi.
He has a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from Gulu University and a certification in Monitoring and Evaluation from the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO) – Turin, Italy.

PROGRAM EXECUTIVE

Caroline Agaba

Caroline has over six years of experience in project and change management. Her career spans 11 years with a diverse background having worked in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and consulting.

She has experience leading digitalisation and business process improvement projects for organisations such as UMEME, where she worked in different capacities i.e., Performance Analyst, Project and Change Lead, and Program Manager. As a consultant, she has supported Start-ups in implementing project/ product management strategies.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town and a Master of Business Administration degree from Edinburgh Business School. She is a certified project manager in PRINCE2 methodology as well as a certified change management practitioner. She is passionate about sharing knowledge and is a certified trainer of trainers.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Monica Sanyu

Monica Sanyu has over twenty (20) years of experience that cuts across finance, telecoms and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). She spent six years of her career as Head of Human Resource (HR) at Ecobank Uganda, and six as Head of HR at Finance Trust Bank. She has had additional HR leadership roles at Warid Telecom Uganda and Uganda Telecom Limited that spanned six years, and prior to this held a foundational HR role at Century Bottling Uganda.

Monica holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resource Management from Oxford Brookes University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Makerere University. As our Operations Manager she brings a wealth of experience in Human Resource Management, Operations and Administration to the team.”

She is a qualified Balanced Scorecard Professional (BSP) awarded by the Balanced Scorecard Institute in conjunction with the George Washington University College of Professional Studies.

ACCOUNTANT

Angella Owach

Angella Atim Owach is FSD Uganda’s Accountant. She is responsible for accounting and financial reporting, management of financial risk and compliance, financial system operations and financial administrative support to the Operations Department. Angella has over six years’ experience in accounting, physical and financial verifications, financial systems migrations, financial management and reporting, budgeting, payments processing, reconciliations, audit, and Ugandan tax management.

Before joining FSDU, Angella worked with KPMG-Uganda as a Senior Advisor on various Audit and Advisory assignments. Angella has also worked as a Finance Officer with Watoto Ministries overseeing the Accounts Payable function for three companies and with Centenary Bank in the Business Growth and Development Department.

Angella holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi and she is a member of both ACCA and ICPAU. She also holds professional certifications for trainings in Digital Money.

I.T. SPECIALIST

Martin Agaya

Martin is FSD Uganda’s I.T. Specialist bringing over six years’ experience managing and supporting Information Technology Services for a variety of organizations to the team. He plays a central role in securing the integrity of the team’s technical and operational processes, risk management protocol and knowledge management strategy.

His technical expertise cuts across infrastructure, knowledge management, networking and operating system software. Prior to joining FSD Uganda Martin worked with Joetrix Infotech Limited as a User and Systems Support Engineer. He served in the same capacity at Empire Microsystems, through FSD Africa, as a Web and Applications Developer at Microcare Solutions and at M:lab East Africa where he tested mobile-based applications. Martin holds a bachelors’ degree in Computer Science.

COMPANY DRIVER

Julius Olupot

Julius is a professional driver with over eight years of experience. He has skills in defensive driving and advanced knowledge of the Uganda Road Traffic and Safety Act.

Prior to joining FSD Uganda, he worked at Mercy Corps. Julius has previously worked with Sino Hydro Corporation Limited and Nile Breweries Limited.

He complements his role with capabilities in fleet and logistics management, vehicle servicing and repair, security as well as health and safety. Julius is instrumental in supporting day-to-day logistical activities and coordinating travel within and outside Kampala.