Absa Uganda reinforces battle-line with four new appointments

October 27, 2021 in Business, Companies, Financial Services by Editor

African lender Absa’s Ugandan unit has announced four new additions to its board as it positions to drive growth amidst Covid-19 pandemic effects. The new appointees who complete the lender’s 11-man frontal battle team, bring a combined 85 years of experience across the transport and energy, accounting, international trade law and financial services sectors.

Alex Rugamba, Sophie Nkuutu, and Phillip Aliker have been appointed as non-executive directors while David Wandera has been named Executive Director.

 

The holder of a masters’ degree in Highway Engineering from the University of Birmingham, and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Makerere University, Rugamba is an infrastructure professional with over 30 years under the belt in the transport and energy sectors, including 20 years at the African Development Bank (AfDB).

 

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), and holder of a first-class degree in Business Studies from London Metropolitan University, Ms. Nkuutu in addition to being a seasoned accountant, is a consultant and project Manager who has led significant IT projects such as the implementation of core banking, accounting, payroll and practice management systems, as well as large-scale transformation projects in multiple sectors including banking, telecommunications, insurance and professional services.

Phillip Aliker is a decorated Advocate of the High Court of Uganda, a barrister in England and Wales and a Licensed Foreign Legal Consultant in New York. He is also a Chartered Arbitrator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an Accredited Mediator specialising in international commercial disputes. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Vanderbilt University), an LLB (University of Leeds) and a Diploma in International and Comparative Arbitration (University of London).

 

David Wandera is currently the Head of Financial Markets and a member of the Country Management Committee at Absa Bank Uganda Limited. With more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector, David has held senior positions at Stanbic Bank Uganda, Citibank Uganda, East African Development Bank and Bank of Uganda. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) UK, holder of a Master of Science degree in International Finance from the University of Leeds, a Post Graduate Certificate (Project Planning, Appraisal, Financing) from Bradford University, and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree from Makerere University.

“Coming with a wealth of experience from across various sectors, the new Board Members collectively bring unique expertise to enhance the efficiency of the Board in steering the bank’s strategy and driving execution,” said Absa Uganda board chair Ms. Nadine Byarugaba.

The new quartet joins the existing Board Members who include George Opiyo Wasonga (Non-Executive Director), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Non-Executive Director), Ina De Vry (Non-Executive Director), Mumba Kenneth Kalifungwa (Executive Director), Michael Segwaya (Executive Director), Edward Ocen (Company Secretary) and Nadine Margaret Byarugaba as Board Chairperson.

 

Absa