Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury
Ministry of
Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Ramathan Ggoobi is an accomplished economist and policy analyst
currently serving as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance,
Planning and Economic Development and Secretary to Treasury of the
Republic of Uganda.
He has spent most of his career teaching economics at different
universities, particularly at Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
since January 2008 until he was appointed PS/ST in July 2021.
He headed a think-tank—the MUBS Economic Forum—that made
groundbreaking research and caused public debates which generated
viable policy-related solutions to some of Uganda’s economic
challenges.
Between September 2017 and September 2020, Ramathan served on the
Board of Directors of the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), the
investment arm of the Government of Uganda. At the end of the term,
he was rated the best Director both by fellow Directors and
Management.
Between June 2020 and July 2021, he served as a Senior Presidential
Advisor on National Economy and accomplished several tasks assigned
to me by H.E. the President.
Ggoobi has consulted with several organisations including: the
International Labour Organisation (ILO); Overseas Development
Institute (ODI) UK; Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES); Financial Sector
Deepening Uganda (FSDU); Action Coalition for Development and
Environment (ACODE), and many others.
As PS/ST, Ramathan has set his agenda to reform the national budget to
make it more responsive national development priorities, improve
appraisal and implementation of national development projects, and
ensure accountability with measurable results as opposed to paper
accountability.
Academic Qualifications
Session: Opening & Keynote Address - "Sustainable Economic Growth: Transforming Today, Thriving Tomorrow"
Head of Climate Finance Unit
Ministry of Finance, Planning and
Economic Development
Mr. Denis Mugagga is the Head of the Climate Finance Unit at
Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, with over 15 years of
experience in external resource mobilization and climate finance. He holds a Master of
Science in Development Economics from Uganda Martyrs University and has led efforts to
strengthen Uganda’s capacity to access, manage, and deploy climate finance from sources
such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Adaptation
Fund.
Mr. Mugagga has represented Uganda, the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), and Least
Developed Countries (LDCs) in UNFCCC climate finance negotiations since COP21. He is
widely recognized for his contributions to shaping climate finance policies and
frameworks that support low-carbon, climate-resilient development. He has also worked as
a consultant with institutions like the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), supporting
readiness, policy advisory, and project development efforts across the region.
Session: Green Economy and Climate Finance - "Sustainable Policies and Strategies"
Managing Director
Uganda Development Bank Limited
Dr. Patricia Ojangole has served as Managing Director of Uganda
Development Bank (UDB) since 2013.
Under her leadership, UDB’s balance sheet has grown from UGX 109 billion to UGX 1.78
trillion as of 2024, positioning the Bank as a catalyst for Uganda’s industrialization
and socio-economic development. Her strategic direction has earned UDB both national and
international recognition for delivering impactful financial and non-financial solutions
that foster inclusiveness, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
She has played a pivotal role in transforming UDB into a key implementation arm of
Uganda’s 4th National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the country’s 10-fold growth
strategy, with a focus on green finance, digital leadership, agricultural productivity,
industrialization, and expanding services.
Before joining UDB, Dr. Ojangole served for a decade as Senior Manager of Internal Audit
at Standard Bank Group, overseeing strategic audits across more than 10 African
countries. Her strong background in internal controls, risk management, and governance
continues to influence UDB’s operations at every level.
Dr. Ojangole holds a PhD and Master of Philosophy in Development Finance (cum laude)
from Stellenbosch Business School, an Executive MBA from ESAMI, and a Bachelor of
Commerce (Hons) from Makerere University. She is a Fellow of ACCA (UK), and a member of
ICPAU and the Institute of Internal Auditors Uganda.
In 2025, she was appointed Chairperson of the Association of African Development Finance
Institutions (AADFI), the first woman to hold the role. The same year, she was awarded
Banker of the Year at the African Banker Awards and previously earned Sustainability
Leader of the Year (2021–2024) at the Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Awards.
Dr. Ojangole serves on several Boards including UDB, Uganda Bankers’ Association,
Trademark Africa, Liberty Life Assurance Uganda, and Busitema University Council. She
also sits on the Board of ADFIMI and has served on several regional and international
advisory boards.
With a legacy of institutional transformation, Dr. Ojangole remains a powerful voice in
shaping the future of development finance in Uganda and Africa.
Session: Green Economy and Climate Finance - "Sustainable Policies and Strategies"
Executive Director
National Planning Authority
Dr. Joseph Muvawala has a BSS (Economics & Social Administration)
and an MA (Economic Policy & Planning) of Makerere University in 1994 and 1999,
respectively. He also has a Certificate in Public Sector Budget Management from Harvard
University, USA which he obtained in 2006. In 2010, he graduated with a PhD in Economics
from Makerere University.
For his professional life, Dr. Joseph Muvawala worked in Ministry of Transport as a
Transport Economist; before working as a Macroeconomist in the Ministry of Local
Government under the Uganda Transport Rehabilitation Project. Later, he worked as an
Immigration Officer under the Immigration Department in Ministry of Internal Affairs and
as a Principal Economist in Iganga District. Thereafter, he joined Ministry of Education
and Sports as a Principal Economist, where he was later promoted to Assistant
Commissioner in charge of Budget & Development Planning.
Dr. Joseph Muvawala also worked as the Principal Education Economist with the African
Development Bank (AfDB) in Tunisia, before moving to South Sudan as a Chief Country
Economist. He is currently the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority as
Executive Director.
He possesses a lot of Board experience sitting on the Top Management of Ministry of
Finance Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and Presidential CEO Forum (PCF).
Previously, he served as the Chairperson of the Directorate of Industrial Training
(DIT), Deputy Chairperson of the Education Policy Review Commission (EPRC) and Board
Member of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), among others.
He has over the years led NPA and Government in a number of technical accomplishments,
including the production of: National Development Plans (NDPs) and their evaluations;
Evaluation of key Government Programmes like: Universal Primary Education (UPE) Policy;
Education Policy Review; Decentralization Policy; Evaluation of Development Financing
Initiatives (DFIs); and various Government projects; and Public Finance Management (PFM)
Reforms among others.
Session: Developing a Taxpayer Compliant Culture in Uganda
Partner
Ernst & Young
Session: Developing a Taxpayer Compliant Culture in Uganda
Assistant Commissioner, Business Policy
Uganda Revenue
Authority
A Tax Administrator with a wealth of knowledge in accounting and finance, auditing, business process re-engineering, and project management. Has over 30 years of experience in tax administration with the Uganda Revenue Authority. Responsible for providing guidance and interpretation of Domestic Tax laws and management of tax policy changes and tax exemptions in the Domestic Taxes Department of Uganda Revenue Authority.
Session: Developing a Taxpayer Compliant Culture in Uganda
Director General
National Agricultural Research Organisation
Dr. Yona is a highly accomplished biotechnologist and agricultural
scientist with over 35 years of experience in research, leadership, and policy
development. He has significantly contributed to food security, income generation, and
capacity building in Uganda, particularly through his work on cassava disease
management.
Key Highlights:
Session: Contribution of Agricultural Research and Innovation for Social Economic Transformation
Executive Director
National Information Technology Authority
Dr. Hatwib Mugasa serves as the Executive Director of the National
Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U), bringing over 15 years of professional
experience in telecommunications, innovation research, and information technology
leadership.
He holds a Doctorate in Computational Analysis and Modeling, an interdisciplinary degree
encompassing Computational Mathematics, Machine Learning and Data Science. Additionally,
Dr. Mugasa has earned two Master of Science degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics,
as well as a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mugasa has held key roles in prominent institutions including
MTN Uganda, Makerere University, and Louisiana Tech University in the United States. His
research and publications span the development, implementation, and evaluation of
computational models and tools, with a focus on biomedical informatics, artificial
intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Session: ICT for Sustainable Economic Growth & Transformation
Executive Director
Refactory Limited
Michael is the Executive Director Refactory Limited. He is also the
Country Manager for ICDL
Africa. Michael is passionate and practices Leadership Development, Business Technology
Strategy and Business Advisory services primarily through coaching and mentoring. He
possesses
22 years of working experience in both the private and public sectors.
Michael has worked and consulted for different sectors with specific focus to business
development, leadership development, strategy development, technology development and
integration. He has mentored and coached individuals and companies across different
sectors
over the last 10 years.
Michael was a member of the ICT Technical Working Group of the Presidential Investor
Round
Table and the Advisory group for the Government of Uganda on the 4IR Technologies.
Michael
serves as a Board member in the FinTech, Insurance, Media, and Courier industries. He is
a
Rotarian and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of technology business
leaders.
Session: ICT for Sustainable Economic Growth & Transformation
Country Leader
MAT ABACUS Business School
Session: Geopolitics and Trends in the Global Economy: Uganda's Threats & Opportunities
Founder & CEO
Takataka Plastics Limited
Peter Okwoko is a passionate social entrepreneur and environmental
advocate, driven by the mission to create inclusive opportunities and foster
environmental consciousness in underprivileged communities. He holds an MSc in
Innovative Communication Technologies and Entrepreneurship from Aalborg University,
Denmark.
As the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Takataka Plastics, a pioneering waste management social
enterprise based in Gulu, Uganda, Peter leads efforts to transform plastic waste into
valuable products while empowering marginalized populations, especially youth. Takataka
Plastics is committed to developing a circular economy model tailored to the realities
of developing countries.
Peter’s commitment to innovation and impact has earned him numerous accolades, including
being named a 2022 Echoing Green Fellow and the recipient of the 2020 DANIDA Alumni
Prize, among other recognitions.
He firmly believes in the transformative power of technology to help developing
countries transition from linear to circular economies, and he continues to champion
solutions that blend entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social impact.
Session: Circular Economy: Rethinking Waste to Create Wealth
CEO
Ewaffe Cultural Village
Aisha Nabwanika is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the
multiple award winning Ewaffe Cultural Village an Eco Cultural Tourism centre located in
Naggalama Mukono, just an hour's drive from Kampala, the village is a gateway to a world
where food tourism and cultural immersion unite. From farm tours to cooking lessons,
fishing experience, pottery workshops to mesmerizing storytelling sessions, we offer an
unforgettable experience that will transport you to the heart of Uganda's cultural
essence.
She has served as an Administrator, at Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), an apex body
bringing together all tourism trade Associations in Uganda for a period of 6 years.
She is a Board Member of the Association of Ugandan Women in Tourism Trade (AUWOTT), a
fellow with African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC), Member of the Uganda
Association of Women Entrepreneurs Ltd (UWEAL) and also an alumni of the Academy for
Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) offered by the United States Mission in Uganda.
Aisha holds a bachelor’s degree of Commerce and is currently pursuing her Master’s
Degree in Administration (MBA) from Makerere University Business School with numerous
certificates in Sustainable Tourism Management with a recent one being Sustainable
Tourism Destination Management offered by UNWTO.
Her Passion lies with Women Empowerment, Rural development and Cultural Tourism
development.
Session: Culture and Creative Industry: Harnessing Gains for Economic Growth
Actor & Creative Director
Mathew Nabwiso is a highly acclaimed Ugandan film director,
producer, and actor who has made a lasting impact on the East African film industry.
With a career spanning over two decades, Mathew has established himself as a versatile
and innovative storyteller, known for his ability to craft compelling narratives that
resonate with diverse audiences.
As a director, Mathew has worked on numerous films and television series, documentaries
and tv commercials such as Rain, Sabotage , Prickly Roses, When you become me, Karamoja
and series like #family, Live your dream, Speak up and the latest being sanyu series the
longest tv series ever produced in uganda with 880 episodes of 26 minute each showcasing
his mastery of various genres and styles. His productions often explore complex themes
and social issues, sparking important conversations and inspiring reflection. Through
his work, Mathew aims to promote cultural understanding, challenge stereotypes, and
celebrate the richness of African stories.
In addition to his directing credits, Mathew is also a talented actor who has appeared
in several films and television shows such as Kyaddala, the hostel series, mpeke town
etc. His performances are marked by nuance, depth, and a deep understanding of the
characters he portrays.
Mathew's contributions to the film industry have not gone unnoticed. He has received
numerous awards and nominations for his work, both locally and internationally like best
actor in the AMVCA awards Nigeria 2013, best director at the Zikomo awards zambia 2023,
best director at the Bayelsa international film festival awards Nigeria 2024 among
others . His dedication to nurturing emerging talent and promoting the growth of the
film industry in Uganda has also earned him recognition as a respected industry leader
who today serves as the president on the National Producers guild of Uganda (p.g.u)
Through his production company, Nabwiso Films, Mathew continues to develop and produce
innovative content that showcases the best of African storytelling. His passion,
creativity, and commitment to excellence have made him a beloved figure in the african
film industry.
Session: Culture and Creative Industry: Harnessing Gains for Economic Growth
Chairperson
Parliamentary Forum on Creatives
Session: Culture and Creative Industry: Harnessing Gains for Economic Growth