Transforming banking in Uganda

Mark Ocitti

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Mark is currently the Managing Director of Serengeti Breweries Limited in Tanzania, a subsidiary of the East African Breweries Group, which is in turn a subsidiary of Diageo Plc. He holds a Bachelor of Statistics degree from Makerere University in Uganda, a Masters in Business Administration degree from the Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK and an Advanced Management Program certificate from the London Business School. He has 30 years of operational and executive experience working in blue-chip companies in Downstream Oil, Telecoms and FMCG sectors.

Dr. Norah Bwaya

Non-Executive Director

Norah holds a Bachelors Degree in Commerce (Accounting) Hons. from Makerere University and a Doctorate in Executive Performance from Middlesex University, UK. She is an Accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – International Coaching Federation and a Certified Executive Coach, Organization Development Consultant, Facilitator/ trainer and public speaker with working experience across 4 careers (Accountancy, Marketing, Insurance, Coaching) in 21 countries across 3 continents (Africa, Europe, America). As a coach, she has served top executives in over 100 organizations. Norah runs Coach Africa Ltd the first coaching firm in Eastern Africa. She has served on a number of boards including Alliance Africa Insurance Group, Lion Assurance Co., Majestic Brands Ltd. (Buganda Kingdom), Katutandike Uganda, Coach Africa Ltd. and Institute of Work Culture and Ethics.

SIMON LUGOLOOBI

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Simon holds a Bachelors Degree in Statistics and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, Herriot – Watt University, Scotland. He is a Fellow, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda. He is currently a Director and majority shareholder of GVZ Investments Limited. He was the Chief Executive Officer at Crown Beverages Limited for eight years after having served in the capacity of Finance Director. He also worked with Uganda Breweries Limited, rising from Assistant Internal Auditor to Head of Internal Audit and then as Finance Director.

Allen Ssebugwawo

Non-Executive Director

Allen holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Makerere University. She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA-UK), a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (CPA–U) and holds an MBA from the University of New England, Australia. She is a strategist and business performance leader with a strong commercial, finance and execution background. She started her career as an external auditor for Deloitte and EY and thereafter obtained experience across diverse industries such as financial services (JP Morgan and Royal Bank of Canada in Australia) and consumer goods in Uganda and Kenya (EABL and Unga Millers Uganda). She is currently the General Manager and a Director for G4S Secure Solutions Uganda Ltd and previously founded Zynamics (U) Limited. Prior to that, she held the position of General Manager in Unga Millers, Uganda and spent eight years in EABL/ UBL – DIAGEO in several senior and executive roles in finance and general management, her last role in UBL being Route to Consumer Director. She is also a Trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Uganda.

Paul Claude Sine

Non-Executive Director

Paul holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Makerere University and a Diploma in Legal Practice from Law Development Centre (LDC), Accountancy Tutors – London. He is also a graduate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) from Fulham College of Business Studies and he is a prize winner “Ernst Warburton Prize’’ for the best paper in Business Finance.

Paul has worked as a Finance Manager and Marketing Manager British American Tobacco Kenya, Area Audit Manager West Africa Anglophone based in Lagos Nigeria, Area Operations Finance Manager West Africa based in Lagos Nigeria, Area Operations Manager Turkey, middle East and North Africa based in Istanbul and as Finance Director for British American Tobacco Uganda. Paul is currently the Chief Executive Officer PMTS Limited.

Samwel Kirubi

Non-Executive Director

Samwel holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Finance) from Moi University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Statistics from Egerton University. He is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain). He joined Equity Bank in 2001 and has gained vast experience in operations, marketing and customer service. Samwel previously served as the Chief Operations Officer in Equity Bank South Sudan, Managing Director, Equity Bank Rwanda, and most recently as the Managing Director, Equity Bank Uganda.

GERTRUDE KARUGABA

Non-Executive Director

Gertrude is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda and holds a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere university, Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Dip L.P.) from Law Development Centre, Kampala Uganda and Master of Law (LL.M) (Commercial Laws) from University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. She is a member of the Uganda Law Society, East Africa Law Society and has been ranked as a leading lawyer in Uganda by global legal directories Chambers and Partners Global Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers (since 2016) and Legal 500 (since 2016).

She is an experienced legal and business executive with practice experience spanning project finance, banking and financial law, capital markets, corporate law and governance, M&A, compliance, and regulatory support. The specific expertise is in banking and risk management with extensive work for and with clients in these areas. A financial sector expert, an experienced non-executive director, a governance practitioner and a technology enthusiast who often speaks publicly on matters of interest to financial sector participants and at other fora.

Gertrude has held various positions during her career including Legal Officer, Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited Staff Pension Fund, Head Legal and Company Secretary, Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited and Partner and Head Corporate/M&A, S&L Advocates (formerly Sebalu & Lule Advocates). She is currently the Chief Legal Officer, Equity Group Holdings PLC.

She has held various Board positions as Board Chairperson and co-founder, League of East African Directors, Board Chairperson, AK Life Sciences Limited, Board Chairperson and founder member, Financial Sector Deepening Uganda Limited, Chairperson Board of Trustees, Centenary Bank Staff Provident Fund and previously Director and Credit Committee Chairperson, KCB Bank Uganda Limited.

Gift Shoko

Managing Director Equity Bank Uganda Limited

Gift holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and Computer Science Degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a master’s in business administration - Banking and Finance (CIMA, Nicosia, Cyprus). He holds various diplomas including Advanced Diploma in Business Administration ABE, UK), Diploma in Banking (Institute of Bankers in Zimbabwe), Advanced Diploma in Credit (Institute of Bankers South Africa) and Diploma in Treasury Management and Trade Finance (Institute of Bankers South Africa).

He has a rich commercial multi-regional banking and leadership experience across markets in Africa, with a good appreciation of the Ecosystem and Sectoral Banking approach. His specialties are in corporate and retail banking, business strategy, banking operations, stakeholder management, regulatory compliance and executive coaching and mentoring.

Gift has a proven history of spearheading successful turnaround and expansion strategies, nurturing strategic partnerships and orchestrating digital transformation initiatives.

HENRY RUGAMBA

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Henry holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science & Sociology from Makerere University, Personnel Management from Kingston University (UK) and a CEO Summit Board training in 2013/14.

Henry is a seasoned PR professional with over 30years in PR, Marketing and Communications. He honed his skills at British American Tobacco, Umeme-Uganda's leading Electricity distribution company, and is now the Managing Partner at Songa Communications - a leading public Relations and Communication Agency.

He serves in several Boards including BAT Uganda Board of Directors where he serves as Board Chair and Chair of Nominations Committee. He also serves on the Board of ANECCA a not-profit NGO and is the Immediate Past Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association.

Gift Shoko

Managing Director Equity Bank Uganda Limited

Gift holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and Computer Science Degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a master’s in business administration - Banking and Finance (CIMA, Nicosia, Cyprus). He holds various diplomas including Advanced Diploma in Business Administration ABE, UK), Diploma in Banking (Institute of Bankers in Zimbabwe), Advanced Diploma in Credit (Institute of Bankers South Africa) and Diploma in Treasury Management and Trade Finance (Institute of Bankers South Africa).

He has a rich commercial multi-regional banking and leadership experience across markets in Africa, with a good appreciation of the Ecosystem and Sectoral Banking approach. His specialties are in corporate and retail banking, business strategy, banking operations, stakeholder management, regulatory compliance and executive coaching and mentoring.

Gift has a proven history of spearheading successful turnaround and expansion strategies, nurturing strategic partnerships and orchestrating digital transformation initiatives.

Elizabeth Nayiga

Head of Legal

Elizabeth is a Member of Uganda Law Society and East African Law Society, and is a holder of Bachelors of Laws Degree from Makerere University, a Masters Degree in Business Administration (Finance), From Makerere University as well Diploma in Legal Practice from Law Development Centre (LDC), is also certified in Project Management and holds a Certificate in Trustee Proficiency. Prior to joining Equity Bank Uganda in June 2021, she worked with Bank of Uganda, Ojiambo Olara Advocates and Housing Finance Bank.

Joseph Kimuli

Head of Internal Audit

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University (UK) and Professional Qualification with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). He is an active member of the Institute of the Internal Auditors (Uganda charter). He is pursuing a Master of Arts in Financial Services at Makerere University and Leadership Development Program at Strathmore Business School. He is an accountant with 15 years of experience in Accounting, Finance, External and Internal Audit. His Banking career started at Equity Bank in 2009 as an Internal Auditor.

Sarah K. Nakkazi

Head of Compliance

Sarah 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, when 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.

Paul Kisaakye

Head of IT

Paul holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University Kampala Uganda, a Master’s Degree in Arts Leadership (Entrepreneurship track) from Southeastern University, Graduate certificate in Organizational Leadership from Southeastern University, Oracle certified professional and Microsoft certified profession from Aptech computer Education and Cisco certified Network Associate (C.C.N.A) from Makerere University. Prior to joining Equity Bank, Paul worked as the Senior Manager (ICT) for NCBA Bank.

Anthony Ouma

Head of Treasury

Anthony, Head of Treasury holds a Master of Arts Degree in Economic Policy and Management and a bachelor’s degree of Arts in Economics (MUK).

JOACHIM PHIRI OTIM

HEAD OPERATIONS

Joachim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in BCOM (Accounting) from Dar-es-Salaam University.

Joachim has served in the position of team leader Routine Control at Stanbic Bank Western Region, Manager Regional Operations at Stanbic Bank Central Region, Regional Manager at Centenary Bank Northern Regional office, Head, Internal control at Stanbic Uganda, and most recent, Chief Operating Officer, United Bank for Africa Uganda.