Chief Executive Officer

Zerubabel Kwebiiha Junior

Zerubabel Kwebiiha Junior is the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Sector Deepening Uganda. He is an experienced executive and institution builder with over 17 years of leadership in financial inclusion, digital innovation, and private sector development across Africa. He brings extensive expertise in organisational leadership, commercial strategy, market development, stakeholder engagement, and building partnerships that deliver sustainable impact.

Throughout his career, Zerubabel Junior has led organisations, built businesses, and worked with governments, regulators, and private sector partners to expand access to financial services and strengthen markets. His experience includes leadership roles at ENGIE Energy Access, where he served as Global Head of Commercial and Country Director for Mozambique, as well as Chief Executive Officer of EzeeMoney and technical leadership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in Zambia. He is also the Co-founder of Reclaim Investments, a circular economy enterprise creating economic opportunities for waste pickers in Uganda. Most recently, he supported FSD Uganda’s Digital Economy pillar as a consultant.

Zerubabel Junior serves as a Non-Executive Director at Ecobank Uganda and other institutions. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Suffolk and is passionate about building inclusive financial markets that create economic opportunity and improve lives.

Director of Programs

Patience Kikoni

Patience Kikoni is the Director of Programs at FSD Uganda. She is an international development professional with over 15 years of experience managing economic development programmes across East and Southern Africa. Patience has held various programme management positions with prominent development partner organisations including Palladium, PwC and SNV. She recently served as Chief of Party for a Market System Development Program which aimed at improving economic livelihoods for rural men and women in Rwanda and Kenya. Prior to that, Patience worked as Lead Technical Advisor for a Market System Development Program in Uganda, which aimed at increasing resilience of households and businesses in Northern Uganda through supporting and facilitating investment in agribusinesses and job creation.

Patience holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, and Master of Global Social Impact from the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce (honors) Degree from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, as well as a Bachelor of Statistics (honors) Degree from Makerere University in Uganda.

DIRECTOR, RESEARCH AND INSIGHTS

Joseph Lutwama

Joseph Sanjula Lutwama is the Director, Research and Insights 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

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.

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.

Gender Lead

Justine Ocen

Justine Ocen is Financial Sector Deepening Uganda’s Gender Lead. He has over 10 years of experience integrating gender and social inclusion across development and humanitarian operations.

Justine has served as Gender Equality, Youth and Social Inclusion Specialist for various organisations. He has worked with DAI Global under USAID’s Feed the Future Inclusive Agricultural Market Systems project, Community Road Empowerment (Japan), Alight (formerly ARC), War Child Canada, and Save the Children.

He holds a Post-graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from Uganda Management Institute and a Bachelor’s in Adult and Community Education from Kyambogo University. He is currently enrolled for a Master of Arts in Development Studies at Uganda Martyrs University.

RESEARCH LEAD

Francis Xavier Mukembo

Francis Xavier Mukembo is the Research Lead at FSD Uganda. He is a financial-sector research, strategy, analytics and market systems design leader with over 10 years of experience shaping institutional transformation, sector dialogue and decision-making across banking, fintech, development finance, telecom and regulated sectors in East Africa.

His background spans senior leadership at Tugende, Summit Consulting, and independent advisory work for Bank of India (Uganda) Limited, BRAC Uganda Bank, aBi Finance, Microfinance Support Centre, ERA, ICGU, DPF, Uganda Bankers Association and MTN Uganda, alongside transformation and strategy assignments involving DFCU, DTB, Centenary, Housing Finance, Opportunity Bank and FINCA.

Francis holds an MBA in Strategic Management, an MSc in Financial Engineering, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Business, Business Analytics.

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).

Intervention Manager, MSME Finance

Edward Ssenkindu

Edward Ssenkindu is an agriculturalist and development finance (debt, grants, and business development services) specialist. He has over 18 years’experience in strategic planning, strategy implementation, capacity building, agricultural finance, project management, and financial inclusion.

Edward holds a Masters of Business Administration from Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agriculture from Makarerere University, a certificate in Agricultural finance from the Kenya School of Monetary studies and numerous short term certificates in credit, management and leadership.

Edward has previously worked with Yunus Social Business Foundation as a Portfolio and Investment Manager for Uganda, aBi Development Ltd as a Portfolio Development Manager, DFCU Bank as a Senior Manager Agricultural and Informal Sector, NCBA-CLUSA International as a Financial Inclusion Specialist and Centenary Bank where he held officer and managerial positions.

Intervention Manager - Rural Agricultural Finance

Andrew Kasujja

Andrew is FSD Uganda’s Intervention Manager-Rural and Agriculture Finance

Andrew is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in financial inclusion, rural and agricultural interventions, digital financial services, green financing and market systems consulting. He has a strong background working with mobile network operators, third-party providers, and non-governmental organisations, focusing on areas such as grant management, financial inclusion, digital innovations, refugee interventions, and women’s economic empowerment. Andrew’s core competencies lie in marketing systems, end-to-end digital financial services solutions, payments systems, and leveraging digital financial services to accelerate the path to financial inclusion. He possesses an in-depth understanding of regulators, agents, merchants, customer ecosystems, payments systems, remittances, and service providers, as well as agricultural value chains and market value chain assessments.

Andrew holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a bias in Finance from Sikkim Manipal University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and a certificate in Public Administration from Makerere University.

Prior to joining FSD Uganda, Andrew was the East African Lead at the Strategic Impact Advisors.

Intervention Manager, Rural Agricultural Finance

Victoria Adong Abuin

Victoria Adong Abuin is FSD Uganda’s Intervention Manager – Rural Agricultural Finance. She is an agribusiness specialist. She has more than ten years of experience in agriculture value chain development and finance, agricultural credit management, green finance, financial inclusion, project implementation, capacity building, partnership and portfolio development and management.

Victoria holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science Technology and Management from Kyambogo University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture Risk, Management and Finance from Mountains of the Moon University, several short certificates in green energy and finance, credit risk management and leadership. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship from Uganda Christian University.

She previously worked with Centenary Bank in various capacities, including as an Agriculture Credit Officer, Commercial Credit Officer, and Business Administrator. Additionally, she is a trainer with The Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services. She has contributed to projects such as The Actualisation of Green Finance Project under aBi Ltd and UIBFS, the Microfinance Apprenticeship Program with UIBFS and GIZ, and the Micro Irrigation Scheme program in several districts in the Busoga region.

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.

INVESTMENT OFFICER - DEAL FLOW FACILITY

Bbobbo Rugumayo

Bbobbo is a financial analyst with over 4 years professional experience in the Investment Advisory, Management Consulting, and Financial Services industries across Eastern and Southern Africa.

His passion and experience encompasses supporting SMEs access the right kind of capital to support their long term growth, across a wide range of sectors, He has experience supporting SMEs to raise capital, supporting investment funds deploy capital as well as the design and implementation of programs focused on increasing access of capital to SMEs.

He is a graduate of a Bachelors Degree in Finance Engineering from Wuhan University, a Certified Fellow of the Africa Private Equity Fellowship and is currently pursuing his CFA designation.

Financial CONTROLLER

Sharon Batamuliza

Sharon Batamuliza is responsible for strategy and budgeting, risk management and accountability, grants, and sub-awards management. She is a Chartered Accountant with over seven years of working experience in audit and assurance services, financial management, and risk advisory services. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot – Watt University, and is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics from Makerere University. She is experienced in financial analysis and grants management, financial reporting, budgeting, pre-award assessments/ due diligence, and risk assessment as well as ensuring compliance with internal controls and donor requirements, among others.

Before joining FSD Uganda, she served as a Manager, of International Development Advisory Services at KPMG in the advisory department. She also worked as a Senior Audit Associate with the same Organisation, in the Audit department.

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.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE MANAGER

Resty Joan Ayona

Resty Joan Ayona is the People & Culture Manager at FSD Uganda. She is an accomplished human resource practitioner with over 10 years of extensive experience across talent management, performance management, employee engagement, and organizational development. She brings a data-driven and people-centered approach to building workplaces where people feel motivated, supported, and able to do their best work.

Before joining FSDU, Resty served as the Performance and Total Reward Manager at Airtel Uganda, where she used insights and data to support the design of a competitive rewards structure. She also served as HR Business Support Manager at Vivo Energy Uganda where she drove employee development, career planning and leadership capability building. She also held various roles at Century Bottling Company Limited including Senior Human Resources Officer and Human Resources Officer.
Resty holds a Bachelor of Industrial & Organisational Psychology from Makerere University.

Monitoring and Results Measurement Specialist

Andrew Tugume

Tugume Andrew brings with him a wealth of expertise and experience in results-driven Monitoring and Evaluation, statistical data analysis, program assessment/evaluation, and project management. Driven by his passion for knowledge, Tugume Andrew is pursuing further studies in Energy Economics and Governance, complementing his Bachelor’s degree in Quantitative Economics focused on Statistics, Economics, and Research. Tugume combines academic excellence with practical skills to leverage the power of data for informed decision-making. Throughout his distinguished career, Tugume Andrew has held key positions at renowned institutions such as International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), Private Sector Foundation Uganda, GIZ Uganda, Ministry of Water and Environment, VIDA Management Consult Ltd and Acholi Private Sector Development Company Limited among others maximizing the potential for both public and private sectors.

Beyond his professional roles, Tugume has actively contributed to the implementation of MasterCard-funded projects, including Driving Youth Lead New Agribusiness and Micro Enterprises (DYNAMIC) implemented by Restless Development, Markets for the Youth Programmes implemented by Goal Uganda and Enhancing Lead Firm Structure implemented by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). Proficient in various software tools, Tugume possesses a wide range of technical skills, enabling him to transform raw data into actionable insights. His data-driven approaches have played a crucial role in assisting stakeholders and development partners to transition from theoretical frameworks to statistically significant, evidence-based strategies, informing recommendations, exit strategies, and sustainability plans for organizations.

Grants and Compliance Specialist

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.

Procurement and Operations Coordinator

Comfort Kesande

Comfort Kesande is a procurement, operations and administration specialist with over five years of experience optimizing organizational workflows, supply chain processes, and vendor relationships. Her expertise encompasses strategic procurement, contract lifecycle management, executive office support, and process automation.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science from Kyambogo University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from Uganda Management Institute.

Comfort is driven by operational efficiency, strong governance, and continuous process improvement to maximize value across cross-functional initiatives.

Prior to her work at FSD Uganda, she supported impact-driven projects with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) across Central and Western Uganda. Comfort is deeply committed to social equity, women’s empowerment, and building inclusive, resilient communities through accountable systems and collaborative stakeholder management.

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.

Driver

Jackson Basse

Jackson is an experienced corporate driver with broad experience in fleet management.