1. Overview: Women Rise in Uganda’s Banking Sector

Ugandan banking, historically male-dominated, is seeing impactful leadership from women across executive roles. From CEOs to risk officers and innovators, these women are redefining the industry through vision, governance, and inclusion.

Let’s look at the standout figures making notable strides.

2. Trailblazing CEOs

Edigold Monday — First Ugandan Female Commercial Bank CEO

• CEO of Bank of Africa Uganda and later MD of Commercial Bank of Africa (Rwanda)
• First Ugandan woman to helm a commercial bank in Uganda’s history Wikipedia

Annet Nakawunde Mulindwa — CEO, Finance Trust Bank

• Rose through microfinance into full banking leadership
• Became only the second female CEO in Uganda’s banking sector Business FocusWikipedia

Sarah Arapta — CEO, CitiBank Uganda & UBA Chairperson

• Led Citibank’s asset growth and improved performance
• First female Chairperson of the Uganda Bankers’ Association Business FocusFinance in Africa

3. Senior Executives & Innovators

Agnes Namyalo Mayanja — Executive Director, KCB Uganda

• Former CFO & Chief Risk Officer at dfcu
• Pivotal in strengthening risk management and institutional stability at KCB Uganda Finance in Africa

Hope Lorna Nakhayenze — Chief Risk Officer, dfcu Bank

• Spearheaded risk frameworks and the GROW initiative for women entrepreneurs
• Former Head of Risk at Ecobank & I&M Bank Finance in Africa

Kate K. Kiiza — Executive Director & CFO, dfcu Bank

• CFO since 2015, now overseeing institutional banking
• Named 2024 CFO of the Year, championing digital transformation and women’s empowerment through finance ChimpReports

Goretti Masadde — CEO, Uganda Institute of Banking & Financial Services (UIBFS)

• Leads Uganda’s premier banking education body and also co-founded a food enterprise
• Acknowledged for her leadership and industry outreach Wikipedia

Mona Muguma Ssebuliba — CEO, aBi Finance Holdings Ltd

• Drives inclusive agribusiness lending and green finance initiatives
• Prior roles include Deputy CEO, Africa Alliance Uganda Uganda Bankers

Veronicah Namagembe — Managing Director, Pride Microfinance Limited

• Oversaw growth from UGX 6B to UGX 142B in equity and 700,000+ customers
• Advocate for financial inclusion and gender equality; Platinum awardee in 2020/21 Wikipedia

Immaculate Irumba Komuhangi — COO, Cairo Bank Uganda

• Led digital transformation at Housing Finance, now operations lead at Cairo Bank Uganda
• Brings extensive operations and tech leadership to her role Wikipedia

Sylvia Jagwe Owachi — Acting CEO, Cairo Bank Uganda

• Formerly elevated from several leadership roles at Standard Chartered and GT Bank
• Now leading a key national bank Wikipedia

Sylvia Namusoke Genza — IT Leader, Stanbic Bank Uganda

• Manager of Production Services, overseeing mission-critical banking IT systems
• Notable for her trailblazing role as a woman in banking technology CIO Africa

4. Collective Impact at a Glance

Leader	Institution	Role/Contribution
Edigold Monday	Bank of Africa / CBA Rwanda	First Ugandan female CEO in commercial banking
Annet Nakawunde Mulindwa	Finance Trust Bank	Transitioned microfinance to commercial bank
Sarah Arapta	Citibank Uganda / UBA	CEO and first female UBA Chairperson
Agnes Namyalo Mayanja	KCB Uganda	Executive Director bolstering risk governance
Hope Lorna Nakhayenze	dfcu Bank	Risk leader to empower women entrepreneurs
Kate K. Kiiza	dfcu Bank	CFO and transformation leader
Goretti Masadde	UIBFS	CEO advancing banking education
Mona Muguma Ssebuliba	aBi Finance	Pushing green and agribusiness finance
Veronicah Namagembe	Pride Microfinance	MD focused on inclusion and gender equality
Immaculate Irumba Komuhangi	Cairo Bank Uganda	COO leading digital and operations
Sylvia Jagwe Owachi	Cairo Bank Uganda	Acting CEO; operations leadership
Sylvia Namusoke Genza	Stanbic Bank Uganda	Head of IT Production Services

5. Themes & Reflections

• Breaking Glass Ceilings: Women are now pivotal in banking governance, extending from boardrooms to executive leadership.
• Inclusive Focus: They champion SME finance, agribusiness, gender equity, and digital access.
• Transformation & Innovation: From risk frameworks to fintech, tech operations to green finance—their leadership spans critical growth areas.
• Role Modeling: Their journeys affirm that strategic mentorship, resilience, and excellence open doors in traditionally male-led spaces.