In the traditional corporate hierarchy, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is often the face of the brand, but the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is the engine.
As Uganda moves into 2026, a transformative shift has occurred: the most critical ‘engines’ in the country’s oil, energy, finance, and tech sectors are increasingly led by women.
These leaders are the exceptional architects of operational resilience, navigating the complexities of infrastructure, digital banking shifts, and the e-commerce boom.
Energy And Infrastructure Titans
Samantha Muhwezi Kassami – COO, Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC)
A UK-qualified solicitor with a background at TotalEnergies, Samantha is a central figure in Uganda’s oil journey. She oversees critical units, including Technical Services and National Content. Having played a key role in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) pipeline negotiations, she now ensures that ‘First Oil’ remains on track while championing the participation of local firms.
Eng. Joselynne Rwabwogo – Chief Commercial and Operations Officer, UEDCL
A registered engineer and member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (MUIPE), Eng. Rwabwogo manages the pulse of the national grid. She is a primary architect behind UEDCL’s emergency response teams and grid expansion projects, ensuring power distribution remains stable during the country’s energy sector transitions.
Byarugaba Elizabeth – COO, Minerals Africa Development Institution
In the extractive industry, Elizabeth leads operations for an institution focused on the sustainable development of Africa’s mineral resources, bridging the gap between policy and field execution.
Financial Operations Strategists
Patricia Nshemereirwe – COO, Absa Bank Uganda
Appointed in January 2024, Patricia brings over 20 years of experience to the role. She holds oversight responsibility for the bank’s Operations and Information Technology functions, ensuring that Absa’s digital infrastructure remains robust and customer-centric.
Immaculate Irumba Komuhangi – COO, Cairo Bank Uganda
Since 2019, Immaculate has provided strategic leadership to Cairo Bank’s operations department. Her steady hand has been vital in driving efficiency and supporting the bank’s commercial growth strategies.
Digital, Tech, And Legal Frontier
Dorah Bazirake – COO, Jumia Uganda
In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, Dorah focuses on elevating the customer experience and promoting women in the workplace. Her role is essential to managing the complex logistics of Uganda’s leading online retailer.
Birungi Kaburara-Mugisha –COO, Ortus Advocates
Operating at the intersection of law and business, Birungi, who is also a Partner, manages the operations of one of Kampala’s leading commercial law firms while providing high-level corporate and financial advisory.
Leticia Nakitende – COO, Women in Technology Uganda (WITU)
Leticia drives the operations of an organisation dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology, ensuring that operational efficiency supports the empowerment of young women in the digital economy.
These women are the ‘Engines of their Enterprises,’ who ensure that when a brand makes a promise, the operation is strong enough to deliver it.
By mastering national content in oil, safety in energy, and cybersecurity in banking, they are building a proprietary knowledge base that is essential for Uganda’s future.