Veronicah Namagembe
Veronicah Namagembe | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Citizenship | Ugandan |
| Education |
|
| Occupations |
|
| Organization | Pride Microfinance Limited |
| Known for | Leadership in microfinance, gender equality advocacy, and financial inclusion in Uganda |
| Awards | Honorary Fellow, Uganda Institute of Banking & Financial Services |
Veronicah Gladys Namagembe is a Ugandan business executive, banker, and Rotarian, currently serving as the Managing Director of Pride Microfinance Limited (MDI). She is recognized for her contributions to the microfinance sector in Uganda, with a focus on financial inclusion and gender equality.[1] Namagembe is also an Honorary Fellow of the Uganda Institute of Banking & Financial Services and a member of the Bible Society of Uganda.[2]
Education
[edit]Veronicah Namagembe holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Durham University Business School in the United Kingdom. She also earned a Master of Science (MSc) in Accounting and Finance from Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (BBA) from Makerere University.[1][2]
To further her expertise in leadership and management, Namagembe has attended executive programs at several international institutions, including Harvard Business School, the London School of Economics, Harvard Kennedy School, Yale School of Management, Lagos Business School, and Strathmore Business School.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Namagembe has an extensive career in Uganda's financial sector spanning over two decades. Before her current role, she worked with Diamond Trust Bank Uganda for approximately one year and spent six years at Uganda Women’s Finance Trust, which later became Finance Trust Bank.[2]
Pride Microfinance Limited (MDI)
[edit]Namagembe joined Pride Microfinance Limited (MDI) and progressively rose through the ranks. She served as acting Managing Director before her substantive appointment to the position.[2] As Managing Director, she is responsible for the overall strategic direction, operational efficiency, business growth, and risk management of the institution, which is regulated by the Bank of Uganda.[1]
Under her leadership, Pride Microfinance has reportedly seen significant growth. According to the Microfinance Banker journal (August 2021), the institution's total equity grew from UGX 6 billion (approximately USD 1.6 million) to UGX 141.7 billion (approximately USD 38.8 million) by the end of December 2020. The customer base also expanded to over 700,000 customers during a similar period.[2] Namagembe has emphasized strategies for sustainable operations and has championed initiatives aimed at advancing financial inclusion, particularly for women and underserved communities in Uganda.[1][3] She has been a vocal advocate for leveraging financial services to promote gender equality and support sectors like agriculture to enhance food security.[1][4]
In 2020/2021, Pride Microfinance Limited, under her stewardship, was recognized as the Platinum winner in the Consumers’ Choice Awards for Uganda’s Best Microfinance Institution.[2]
Industry Leadership and Board Service
[edit]Beyond her role at Pride Microfinance, Namagembe has held several key positions within Uganda's financial sector. She served as the National President of the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Uganda (AMFIU), where she represented the interests of the microfinance industry.[2]
She is an Executive Committee (EXCO) member of the Uganda Bankers' Association (UBA), representing Tier 2 (Microfinance Deposit-Taking Institutions) and Tier 3 (Non-Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions) financial institutions.[2][5]
Namagembe also contributes her expertise through various board memberships. She serves on the board of Lubiri High School and is a board member of The Uganda Institute of Banking & Financial Services (UIBFS), where she chairs the Finance and Human Resource Committee.[2] Additionally, she is the Board Vice Chairperson for Majestic Brands Ltd (the business arm of the Buganda Kingdom) and sits on several board committees at Pride Microfinance Limited, including Risk, Assets & Liabilities; Compensation, Human Resource, Administration & Procurement; and Strategy and Compliance.[2]
Advocacy and Public Engagement
[edit]Namagembe is actively involved in initiatives promoting women's empowerment and career development. She often participates in forums and discussions on topics related to financial inclusion, gender equality in finance, and leadership.[4][3] She is a member of the Rotary Club and the Bible Society of Uganda, reflecting her engagement in community and faith-based activities.[1]
Recognition
[edit]In recognition of her contributions to the banking and finance industry in Uganda, Veronicah Gladys Namagembe was conferred as an Honorary Fellow by the Uganda Institute of Banking & Financial Services.[1][2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "Speaker Details: Veronicah Gladys Namagembe". European Microfinance Week 2024. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Microfinance Journal (August 2021). "Executive Watch: Veronicah Gladys Namagembe" (PDF). The Microfinance Banker (2). Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) in partnership with the Microfinance CEO Working Group: 28–29. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b "Empower a Woman; Empower a Nation - Veronicah Gladys Namagembe". Amazons Watch Magazine. 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ a b Lirri, Evelyn (2021-03-09). "Women tipped on skilling, networks for career growth". New Vision. Retrieved 2025-04-08.
- ^ "Governance - Uganda Bankers Association". Uganda Bankers Association. Retrieved 2025-05-26.