Panelists

Ms. Peace Olive Amuge

Peace is a Communications Specialist, Gender Digital Rights Activist and a Writer, she’s currently the Executive Director of Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET). WOUGNET is an organisation that promotes the use of technology by women and women’s rights organisations. She is a member of the UN Multistakholder Advisory Group (MAG) with the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). She has authored a couple of online publications on topics related to gender and technology. Peace is a mentor for the Open Internet for Democracy Leaders Program and Board member of the Centre for Multilateral Affairs (CfMA).

Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize

Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize is the Superintendent-Industrial Value Chains Development at the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, Office of the President. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating the implementation of strategic research, technology development and innovation to facilitate development of Uganda’s priority industrial value chains (Pathogen Economy, Mobility, Industry 4.0+, Aeronautics and Space, Infrastructure Innovations, Productivity Acceleration, Import Substitution and Export Promotion). He is on secondment from Makerere University where he is a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University-USA, Master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering from Rutgers and Makerere University + Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University. He has previously undertaken industrial residency at Philips Research North America in the Ultrasound Imaging and Interventions group.
His research body of work focuses on biomedical instrumentation, applications of machine learning in medical image computing and computer-assisted interventions, and IoT device development. He is a renowned scholar, with over 20 peer reviewed articles, 5 USPTO & WIPO patent publications, and numerous international awards. He is also a project manager and Board Member at Innovex Uganda Limited, a manufacturer of IoT solutions for remote monitoring and control of renewable energy technologies. Since 2013, Cosmas has been a mentor and judge for BigIdeas@Berkeley, a competition that sponsors student-led moonshot innovations toward solving salient global challenges.

Dr. Roseline Akol

Dr. Roseline Nyongarwizi Akol, holds BSc. Engineering (Electrical) degree from Makerere University, MSc. & PhD degrees in Electronic Engineering both from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Dr. Akol has been teaching in institutions of higher learning for over 25 years. During this time, she has taught, researched, supervised and mentored students at different levels. Dr. Akol has been in the business of human capital development of Electrical, Computer & Telecommunications Engineers in Uganda for many years. Her current research interest is in wireless technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), smart grids and smart technologies. Dr. Akol is passionate about harnessing and growing resources.

Dr. Bello Moussa

Dr. Bello Moussa is responsible for design and implementation of new solutions and new technologies aimed at supporting developing countries in unleashing digital opportunities for inclusive development. These include solutions relating to broadband infrastructure, wireless telecom protocols, wireless product portfolio management & development, solution strategy for IoT, 5G &5.5G.
More than 20 years experience in Telecommunication Industry with forward focus on ensuring Regional and National ICT policies and regulations are aligned and inclusive of future ICT technological developments and implementation solutions to the benefit of the Region economies and Social Welfare.

Ms. Stella Alibateese

Ms. Stella Alibateese is the National Personal Data Protection Director. The Personal Data Protection office is an independent office set up under National Information Technology Authority, Uganda (NITA-U) to be responsible for personal data protection in Uganda. She is responsible for the management and operationalisation of the Personal Data Protection Office and is the national focal point for monitoring and assurance of matters related to the implementation of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019. She is a practising advocate with 25 years’ experience with the bulk of it being on policy and regulatory matters in the Public Sector. 10 years of this experience has been in the ICT sector where she has made tremendous contribution to regulation of the ICT sector. Prior to this appointment, she worked as the Director, Regulation and Legal Services at the National Information Technology Authority, Uganda (NITA-U) where she led teams in the development of Laws (including the Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019) and Legal Instruments for regulation of the ICT sector with a focus on the development of Electronic Government in Uganda. She has also over the years provided excellent in-house legal counsel services with a proactive approach.
Stella also worked with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for 10 years where she rose to the position of Deputy Corporation Secretary/Ag. Corporation Secretary, at Messrs Hunter and Greig Advocates and Tropical Bank Limited. She holds a Master of Laws (University of London UK), Post graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management (Uganda Management Institute), Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Law Development Centre, Kampala) and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (Makerere University). She is a GIAC Certified Professional: Law of Data Security and Investigations (GLEG), and an IAPP Certified Information Privacy Manager. She is an advocate and Commissioner for Oaths and a member of various professional associations. Stella is passionate about issues affecting youth and women and believes that through ICT, they can be empowered to develop and harness their talents to overcome the various challenges they face. She is a mentor and a Rotarian.

Hon. Nyombi Thembo

Hon. George William Nyombi Thembois the Director for the Rural Development Communication Fund (RCDF) at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). He assumed that office in January 2017. In addition to his substantive position, Hon. Nyombi Thembo is currently Ag. Director Industry Affairs and Content Development. Hon. Nyombi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Makerere University and a Master of Science in Development Economics from Uganda Martyrs University (UMU). He also holds a diploma in project planning and management (Bradford University, UK) and a post-graduate diploma in financial management (UMU).
Among others, Hon. Nyombi worked as an analyst, planning officer and senior planning officer for the then Uganda Railways Corporation during the 1990s and as a Project Manager for Transport Rehabilitation Project (Railway Component), at Kampala City Council (1995-2001), when he joined politics. Hon. Nyombi was elected to the Ugandan Parliament in 2001, representing his home constituency of Kassanda County South in Mubende District for over a decade (2001-2015). He has also held a number of posts in the Ugandan Cabinet: State Minister for primary education in the Ministry of Education and Sports (2001-2009), State Minister for Luweero Triangle in the Office of the Prime Minister (2009-2011) and then as State Minister for Information and Communications Technology (2011-15).

Mr. Nicholas Mbonimpa

Mr. Nicholas Mbonimpa is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU). He has over 10 years of experience in data network planning and design. He previously worked as the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) for RENU, from 2014 to 2018. Before that, he worked as a Data Network Planning Engineer for MTN Uganda, and as a Satellite Systems Engineer for iWayAfrica (U) Limited.

Mr. Geoffrey Ssengendo

Mr. Ssengendo is a multi-skilled ICT professional with 22 years working experience with the Uganda Communications Commission, the regulator for the ICT sector in Uganda. He possesses vast knowledge and interest in the International Policy & Regulatory aspects of the ICT sector. He possesses a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University and an MSc in Operational Communications, and is a British Chevening Scholar. He has held a number of roles at UCC over the years, and has gained significant experience in spectrum management, technical services, international relations and leadership. He is currently the Head of Research and Service Development at UCC.

Mr. Kwame Rugunda

Kwame Rugunda is the Chief Executive at Savannah, a group of companies using blockchain technology in various sector of society. Savannah’s technology arm, CryptoSavannah has led the adoption of blockchain technology in Uganda and is an African industry thought leader. They also set up Binusu - Uganda’s first crypto exchange, Tuzanye - a leading African blockchain gaming guild, and REDEX – which is using blockchain technology to fractionalize real estate in Uganda.
Kwame is the Chairman of the Blockchain Association of Uganda, was the co-founder of Binance Uganda, is a member of the World Economic Forum Council on Cryptocurrencies and sits on Uganda’s National Taskforce on the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Mr. Richard Zulu

Richard Zulu is the founder and lead at Outbox, an innovation and entrepreneurship support organisation that brings together the capital, knowledge, infrastructure and people necessary to help small and growing businesses to succeed. He is also the chairperson of Startup Uganda, an association of 28 innovation and entrepreneurship support organisations working together to improve collective capacities, influence, and impact, and to create a more enabling environment for innovators and entrepreneurs. He is a member of the innovation and BPO Council under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
He has over twelve years of experience in building support systems for startups, software developer communities and small and growing businesses in Uganda. Through his work, he has supported in the design and management of innovation challenge initiatives with various partners some of whom include Google, NSSF, UNFPA, UNICEF, MTN Uganda, to mention but a few. He is currently supporting a portfolio of over 100 businesses per year to become more competitive and investment ready through the various enterprise development initiatives at Outbox. He is passionate about leveraging human centred design approaches for product design and development. He is an East African Acumen Fellow 2014 and a US International Visitors Leadership Program Alumni.