How We Are Run

Our Team

UMSDN is governed by an independent board of directors and led by an executive team of experienced development practitioners. Our programme staff are embedded across Uganda's regions.

Our Structure

Accountable,
Independent
Governance

UMSDN is a Uganda-registered non-governmental organisation governed by an independent Board of Directors. The board provides strategic oversight, ensures accountability to our members and funders, and safeguards our organisational independence.

Day-to-day operations are led by the Executive Director and a management team drawn from backgrounds in market systems development, digital economy, research, and financial inclusion. Programme delivery is carried out by specialist teams embedded in the field.

🏛 Board of Directors
Independent strategic oversight and accountability. 7 members from private sector, academia, and civil society.
🧑‍💼 Executive Leadership
4-person management team responsible for strategy, operations, partnerships, and results.
🚀 Programme Teams
Specialist teams delivering across digital economy, financial inclusion, TVET, and ESO support.
📍 Field Staff
Embedded coordinators across Northern, Eastern, and Central Uganda maintaining ground-level presence.

Board of Directors

Our board brings together independent expertise from the private sector, academia, civil society, and government to provide strategic direction and ensure UMSDN remains accountable to its mission.

PR
Board Chair
Prof. Robert Byarugaba

Professor of Development Economics at Makerere University. 25 years in economic policy and market systems research across East Africa.

Makerere University
SN
Deputy Chair
Sarah Nakamatte

CEO of a leading Ugandan fintech company. Pioneer in mobile money product design and women's financial inclusion in rural Uganda.

FinTech Uganda Ltd
JA
Board Treasurer
James Aturinde

Former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Expert in public financial management and development programme accountability.

Independent
BN
Board Member
Beatrice Nakazibwe

Executive Director of a leading women's enterprise network with 20+ years in gender-responsive programming across Uganda and Rwanda.

WEN Uganda
DK
Board Member
Dr. Patrick Kiwanuka

Director of Research at Uganda Management Institute. Specialist in organisational governance and institutional development.

Uganda Mgmt Institute
GO
Board Member
Grace Odong

Country Director for a major international NGO in Northern Uganda. Expert in conflict-sensitive programming and community development.

Independent
MK
Board Secretary
Moses Kibuuka

Partner at a leading Kampala law firm. Specialist in NGO regulation, corporate governance, and international development law.

Kibuuka & Associates

Executive Leadership

AK
Office of the Executive Director
Amina Kyomuhendo
Executive Director

Amina has 20+ years of experience in market systems development across East Africa. She previously led major programmes at GIZ and the DFID-funded PRISM programme in Uganda. Under her leadership, UMSDN has grown from a founding network of 12 organisations to over 45 active members operating across seven regions.

JO
Programmes
James Ochen
Director of Programmes

James leads UMSDN's portfolio of market systems interventions, with specialist expertise in digital economy programmes and financial inclusion in Northern Uganda. He manages relationships with implementing partners and oversees programme design and quality assurance.

RN
Research, Evidence & Learning
Rachel Namutebi
Head of Research & Learning

Rachel holds a PhD in Development Economics and leads UMSDN's evidence generation, results measurement, and knowledge management agenda. She established UMSDN's DCED-compliant results measurement framework and manages the annual evaluation cycle.

DM
Partnerships & Network
David Mwesigwa
Head of Partnerships

David manages UMSDN's relationships with its 45+ member organisations, donor partners, and government stakeholders. He leads network engagement strategy and oversees the development of new programme partnerships across the public and private sectors.

Programme Teams

10X Digital Economy Programme

6 Staff
DN
Dorothy Najjingo
Programme Manager
📍 Kampala
FK
Francis Kato
Digital Skills Coordinator
📍 Gulu
PO
Purity Ocen
Youth Engagement Officer
📍 Lira
BK
Brian Kyomuhimbo
M&E Specialist
📍 Kampala
IO
Irene Ongor
ESO Partnerships Officer
📍 Mbale
CL
Collins Lubwama
Digital Technology Specialist
📍 Kampala
💰

Financial Inclusion

4 Staff
AM
Agnes Mutesi
Programme Lead
📍 Kampala
TO
Timothy Okello
Mobile Money Specialist
📍 Gulu
RN
Rose Nabirye
Gender & Inclusion Officer
📍 Soroti
HK
Henry Kasule
VSLA Network Coordinator
📍 Kampala
🎓

TVET & Skills Development

4 Staff
JN
Joyce Namukasa
TVET Programme Lead
📍 Kampala
PM
Patrick Mugisha
Sector Partnerships Officer
📍 Mbale
EO
Esther Odongo
Curriculum Adviser
📍 Gulu
SK
Steven Kagolo
Employer Liaison
📍 Kampala
📊

Research, Finance & Operations

5 Staff
LN
Lydia Nantume
Research & MEL Officer
📍 Kampala
MO
Michael Ogenga
Finance Manager
📍 Kampala
FA
Fatuma Auma
Grants & Compliance Officer
📍 Kampala
CN
Christine Nakaweesi
HR & Administration
📍 Kampala
RW
Ronald Waiswa
IT & Data Systems
📍 Kampala
Work With Us

Join the UMSDN Team

We are always looking for talented practitioners who share our commitment to systemic, inclusive market change in Uganda. We offer competitive salaries, meaningful work, and a collaborative team culture.