UK–Africa Investment Summit 2026

Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, nominated by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in June 2021. She is the first female Prime Minister in the history of Uganda and still one of the highest-ranking political and administrative figures of the nation.

As Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja is responsible for policy coordination and implementation throughout the ministry and all other national government bodies via the Office of the Prime Minister. She plays a crucial role in advancing the economic transformation program of Uganda, coordinating the country's infrastructure, attracting investments, implementing the industrialization program, and realizing its national development priorities.

Previously, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja was the Minister of State for Health in Charge of General Duties and also served in Parliament as a Representative of Kakumiro District since 2011. She is recognized for her pragmatic leadership style, government coordination skills, and dedication to implementation-oriented public service management.

Lord Rami Ranger is a celebrated British entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Member of the House of Lords. Rising from humble beginnings as a refugee to building a business empire, Lord Ranger founded Sun Mark Ltd and Sea Air & Land Forwarding—two award-winning UK export companies with a combined annual turnover exceeding £150 million and operations in over 130 countries.

Honoured eight times by Her Majesty the Queen, including as Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016, Lord Ranger holds a historic record of receiving five consecutive Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. His influence spans business, diplomacy, and community leadership—as Patron of the Conservative Friends of India, Chairman of the British Sikh Association, and Fellow of The Prince’s Trust.

He is also a champion of education, having donated millions to British universities, student entrepreneurship centres, and public memorials, including the Gandhi statue at Parliament Square.

H.E. Lisa Chesney MBE is the British High Commissioner to Uganda effective 15 October 2024. H.E. Chesney was most recently High Commissioner to Sierra Leone from August 2021 – 2024. She has experience with a range of countries, multilateral partners and government departments, encompassing diplomatic, security, defence and development issues.

Prior to Sierra Leone, she served in the Home Office, leading the UK’s Counter Extremism Unit from 2018 and acting as Gold Command for the Crime, Policing and Fire Group on COVID-19. In the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), she served as Deputy Head Security Policy, leading on strategic security issues and delivery of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

She has previously been posted to Mogadishu as Deputy Head of Mission, re-establishing a UK embassy in Somalia, and to Afghanistan as UK Head of Politics and Strategic Communications in the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province.

The Lord Raval OBE (Krish Kumar Sureshchandra Raval, Baron Raval of Hertsmere) is a British lawyer, life peer, and leadership specialist with extensive experience in interfaith engagement, leadership education, and social cohesion.

Born in Ethiopia to Indian parents, Lord Raval’s personal and professional background bridges Africa, India, and the United Kingdom. Nominated for a life peerage by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he was introduced to the House of Lords in January 2025 as Baron Raval of Hertsmere, holding a historic place as the first peer to take the oath of allegiance using the Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is.

Lord Raval is the Founder and Director of Faith in Leadership, a UK-based organisation focused on interfaith cooperation and leadership development. In 2018, he was awarded an OBE by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to leadership education and interfaith communities.

Mr Tanmaya Lal is the Deputy Secretary-General (Programmes) at the Commonwealth Secretariat, where he works with the Secretary-General to provide strategic direction across the Secretariat’s core programme areas. His role includes leading delivery against the Commonwealth Strategic Plan and translating mandates from Heads of Government into practical outcomes for member states.

A career diplomat with nearly 35 years of experience, Mr Lal previously served as Secretary (West) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs. His diplomatic career includes senior postings as Ambassador to Sweden and Latvia, High Commissioner to Mauritius, and Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

At UKAIS 2026, Mr Lal’s contribution will bring a strong Commonwealth and multilateral perspective to discussions on trade corridors, infrastructure finance, development partnerships, digital transformation and the UK–Africa–India investment corridor.

Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba is Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda and Chairman of REEV Group of Companies. He is an economist and public policy advisor with three decades of leadership in macroeconomic management, fiscal reform, and performance measurement across Africa. He earned an MSc from the London School of Economics in 1992 and a PhD in Economics from Makerere University in 2004.

Prof. Nuwagaba has delivered high-level assignments for multilateral and regional institutions, including the African Development Bank, the World Bank, IGAD, UNDP, FAO, WFP, IFAD, and the East African Community.

At UKAIS 2026, he brings an evidence-led approach to stabilising prices, safeguarding financial stability, expanding access to finance, and aligning public policy with long-term growth.

Dipesh J Shah CBE, OBE, FRSA is a senior board leader with extensive experience across infrastructure, energy, transport, financial services, public policy and sustainable investment. He currently chairs the investment committees of major pan-European infrastructure funds focused on energy transition, climate, and infrastructure.

His earlier executive career included serving as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Atomic Energy Authority and holding senior leadership roles at BP, alongside chairing National Highways from September 2020 to the end of 2023.

At UKAIS 2026, Dipesh will bring a board-level investor perspective to discussions on infrastructure, energy transition, transport connectivity and capital deployment.

Hon. Jonard Asiimwe is Uganda’s Minister in the Office of the President responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation. His portfolio places him at the centre of Uganda’s transition towards a knowledge-based, innovation-driven and production-led economy.

His mandate is directly linked to research commercialisation, digital transformation, technology adoption, innovation policy, high-tech manufacturing and the development of practical solutions that support national industrialisation.

At UKAIS 2026, Hon. Asiimwe will contribute to the session on Institutional Trade Finance and Digital Infrastructure: Financing Macro Cross-Border Flows, Project Liquidity and Settlement Rails.

Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga is the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs of the Republic of Uganda. She plays a central role in coordinating Uganda’s engagement within the East African Community (EAC), advancing regional integration, and promoting cross-border trade and investment.

A seasoned lawyer, legislator, and advocate for inclusive economic growth, she served as Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda from 2011 to 2021, the first woman to hold this position. Over her three decades in public service, Rt. Hon. Kadaga has championed legislative reforms to improve governance, expand access to education and healthcare, and strengthen women’s participation in leadership.

In her current role, she focuses on accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) within the EAC, fostering regional infrastructure development, and promoting sustainable investments in priority sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and renewable energy. She also represents Uganda in high-level diplomatic and trade forums, engaging with international partners to position East Africa as a competitive and collaborative economic bloc.

Rt. Hon. Kadaga holds a Master’s degree in Women’s Law from the University of Zimbabwe, a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, Kampala. She is recognised for her leadership in advancing gender equality, economic empowerment, and regional stability across Africa.

Hon. Fred Byamukama serves as the Minister of Works and Transport of the Republic of Uganda. His leadership is central to the development and delivery of Uganda’s transport infrastructure and road systems, logistics networks and strategic connectivity projects, and trade-enabling corridors.

His portfolio is directly linked to Uganda’s industrialisation and export-led growth agenda. Improving transport infrastructure and logistics efficiency is critical to reducing the cost of doing business, improving market access, and supporting investment across key sectors, including mining and manufacturing, energy and agriculture, as well as regional and international trade.

At UKAIS 2026, Hon. Byamukama will be a featured speaker in Session 2: The Critical Minerals and Infrastructure Deal Room Focus Area: Power-to-Mine, Downstream Refining, and Logistical Bankability, examining how regional transport corridors can unlock commercially viable mining, manufacturing, and energy projects.

Mr Nick Oliver is Managing Director of Globespan Infrastructure Ltd, a UK-based infrastructure company established to structure and deliver national infrastructure projects across Africa. The company was founded as an export-focused business and is currently involved in structuring and delivering significant infrastructure programmes on the continent.

Nick has more than 25 years’ experience in business development across Africa and the Far East. He recently retired as Joint Chair of the Department for Business and Trade’s Africa Infrastructure Board, having served in the role for many years, giving him a strong understanding of UK export capability, government-to-government engagement, and infrastructure finance.

Before his infrastructure career, Nick spent 20 years as a serving and reserve officer in the British Army with The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, passing out from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he won the Sword of Honour.

Hon. Hajjat Amina Mukalazi is Uganda’s Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, responsible for Privatisation and Investment. Her portfolio places her at the centre of Uganda’s investment facilitation agenda, with responsibility linked to attracting quality investment, strengthening investor confidence, supporting private sector growth and advancing commercially viable opportunities.

Before assuming this ministerial role, Hon. Mukalazi was associated with Uganda’s local content and investment environment work, focusing on ensuring that Ugandan enterprises, workers and suppliers benefit from foreign direct investment, particularly in strategic sectors such as minerals, petroleum, industrial development and value addition.

At UKAIS 2026, Hon. Mukalazi will contribute to the flagship session, Financing the Trilateral Corridor: De-Risking JVs, Capital Deployment, and Market Access, bringing a government perspective on how Uganda can strengthen its investment climate and convert investor interest into confirmed capital.

Hon. Sanjay Tanna is Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. He brings to Cabinet a strong private-sector background, political experience and a practical understanding of commerce, enterprise development and regional trade.

A respected businessman and former Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality, Hon. Tanna leads one of Uganda’s most strategically important economic portfolios at a time when the country is focused on industrialisation, export growth, manufacturing competitiveness, value addition and private-sector-led transformation.

At UKAIS 2026, Hon. Tanna’s participation will add strategic weight to discussions on trade corridors, industrial platforms, mineral beneficiation, agro-processing, manufacturing, cooperatives and export-led growth, helping frame how Uganda can move from resource access to production and market expansion.

Youngsik Ahn is Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, Export and Agency Finance at Citibank N.A., London Branch, based at Citigroup Centre, Canary Wharf, London. His work sits at the centre of export credit, agency-backed finance and structured lending for infrastructure and development-linked projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Through his role, Youngsik brings direct experience in the financing structures required to support large-scale infrastructure, industrial development, power, transport, processing, logistics and other strategic projects in African markets.

At UKAIS 2026, Youngsik Ahn will contribute to the session on Financing African Infrastructure: Export Credit, Agency Support and Bankable Project Structures, focusing on how agency-backed finance, multilateral partnerships, and risk mitigation support infrastructure development.

Mr Tim Hyde is Owner of B.E.S (Europe) Ltd, part of the BES Group, a UK-based engineering services company specialising in power generation, transmission, distribution and electrical infrastructure delivery across Africa and other emerging markets.

Tim joined BES Group in 2001 and brings extensive experience gained from 25 years of living and working in Africa. He has played a central role in initiating and expanding BES Group’s markets across Western, Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, building long-standing relationships with governments, utilities and commercial partners. In May 2024, Tim completed a management buy-out and became the sole shareholder of the business.

At UKAIS 2026, Mr Hyde will speak in the infrastructure session, contributing practical insight into power infrastructure, electrification, grid expansion, utility procurement and project delivery across African markets.

Loknath (Lok) Mishra is Chief Executive Officer of UBA UK. He is an accomplished international banking executive with extensive leadership experience across retail, corporate, transaction and investment banking in developed and emerging markets, having previously served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank UK.

Throughout his career, Lok has held senior leadership positions including Group Head of Wholesale Banking and Global Head of Transaction Banking at ICICI Bank Limited in India. He has also led major digital banking initiatives across trade finance, cash management and retail banking.

In recognition of his contribution to financial services, Lok was conferred with the Freedom of the City of London. At UKAIS 2026, his perspective will bring practical insight into how banks can support UK–Africa trade flows, transaction banking, and structured financial corridors.

Hon. Rikki Verma is the CEO and Founder of Nexus Green Limited, a UK-headquartered renewable energy company delivering large-scale solar infrastructure, clean energy systems, and sustainable power solutions across East Africa.

Under his leadership, Nexus Green has developed into one of the region’s leading solar engineering, procurement, and construction companies. A landmark achievement includes helping raise €101 million in financing supported by UK Export Finance for Uganda’s solar-powered water irrigation sector.

For the UK–Africa Investment Summit 2026, Rikki brings a strong execution-led perspective on renewable energy, project finance, agricultural productivity, industrial power, and UK–Africa investment partnerships.

Suresh Yadav serves as Senior Director at The Commonwealth Secretariat, contributing strategic oversight and guidance to member states across diverse developmental, economic, and institutional domains.

His work focuses on driving multilateral cooperation, boosting sustainable economic development, and fostering resilient partnerships across Commonwealth nations.

Ms Shehla Hasan is Director and Head of the UK office of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), acting as a major institutional bridge between Indian business, government, and international markets.

She has deep experience across the UK–India economic corridor with a career spanning trade policy, investment promotion, and business representation. Before joining CII UK, she served as Executive Director of Manchester India Partnership and Country Director for the CBI India office.

At UKAIS 2026, Ms Hasan will participate in the Tripartite Plenary Session, bringing the perspective of Indian industry into the UK–Africa–India investment corridor.

Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro is Uganda’s Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development responsible for Minerals, driving the country's transition from resource potential to industrial value creation.

Her ministerial docket encompasses mineral licensing, investor engagement, local value addition, responsible mineral development, and implementing the Mining and Minerals Act 2022.

At UKAIS 2026, her contribution will be central to discussions on critical minerals, beneficiation, responsible sourcing, and positioning critical minerals as drivers of export-led growth.

Laurence Robertson is the Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of the Westminster Africa Business Association (WABA) and served as a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2024, bringing nearly three decades of parliamentary and trade experience.

During his parliamentary career, he held key diplomatic roles including Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ethiopia, Zambia, and Angola, and led numerous high-level trade missions across Africa.

At UKAIS 2026, Laurence will contribute to strategic discussions on UK–Africa trade and the wider UK–Africa–India corridor, bridging policy, diplomacy, and commercial execution.

Mr. Julius Kakeeto is a financial services executive with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as Managing Director of Pearl Bank Uganda and Chairman of the Uganda Bankers Association.

Under his leadership, the institution transitioned to a Tier 1 commercial banking licence under the Pearl Bank name, strengthening its role in financial inclusion, digital banking, and SME support.

At UKAIS 2026, his expertise aligns directly with discussions on financial inclusion, development banking, agricultural finance, and connecting capital to productive sectors.

Mr. Boinapally Venugopal Rao is the Chairman and CEO of Dott Services Limited, an EPC contractor and infrastructure project developer established in Uganda in 1994.

Under his leadership, Dott Services has grown into a major multi-disciplinary infrastructure firm with operations across roads, bridges, hydropower dams, irrigation, and industrial parks like Namanve.

The company maintains extensive international partnerships with multilateral funders, development institutions, and joint venture partners across multiple African nations.

Mr. David A. Wandera is the Managing Director and CEO of Absa Bank Uganda, bringing over 20 years of experience across commercial banking, development finance, financial markets, and corporate governance.

Previously serving as Executive Director and Head of Financial Markets, he directed foreign exchange, fixed income, and institutional performance strategy.

At UKAIS 2026, representing Absa Bank Uganda as a Gold Sponsor, Mr. Wandera will provide insight into capital deployment, trade finance, SME growth, and financial systems required for economic transformation.

Dr. Gerald Banaga-Baingi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda National Mining Company (UNMC), managing the State's strategic interests across the mineral value chain.

He oversees UNMC's mandate to develop commercially viable ventures, promote mineral beneficiation, implement Uganda's new mining framework, and position the country as a competitive destination for responsible mineral investment under the Tenfold Growth Strategy.

Hon. Judith Nabakooba is Uganda's Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, managing land security, urban growth, spatial development, and housing delivery to support national investment readiness.

Her portfolio addresses critical housing deficits and drives industrial platform development through secure tenure, planned land use, and serviced development sites essential for manufacturing and economic growth.

Sakhila Mirza is President of Responsible Gold and a portfolio manager at Pandion Asset Management, bringing extensive expertise in global bullion markets, market integrity, and legal compliance.

Formerly Deputy CEO and General Counsel of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), she focuses on implementing responsible sourcing frameworks, blockchain-enabled traceability, and robust governance across precious metals.

Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi is the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury at Uganda's Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, serving as the government's chief economist.

He spearheads Uganda's bold 10X Economic Growth Strategy anchored on Agro-industrialisation, Tourism, Mineral-based industrialisation, and Science, Technology & Innovation (ATMS).

AlaSan Ceesay is a British-Gambian entrepreneur, Cambridge graduate, and Founder and Group CEO of AlaSan AgriVentures, specializing in agribusiness, food processing, and industrial investment across Africa.

Through Rahma Gambia Ltd, he is developing a major 500,000 square meter multipurpose food production complex to advance food security, value addition, and import substitution.

Mitchelle Mugyeni is an Investment and Risk Advisor with Old Mutual, specializing in insurance advisory, wealth preservation, and risk management.

As a Bank of Uganda certified Financial Literacy Trainer, she champions financial inclusion, risk protection, and structured financial planning for individuals, entrepreneurs, and institutions.

Louis Arinaitwe serves as the Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade at the British High Commission in Kampala, driving commercial relations and bilateral trade between the UK and Uganda.

He leads regional initiatives to promote British exports, attract strategic investments, and support enterprises under the UK government's 'Business is GREAT' campaign.

Elison Karuhanga is a Partner at Kampala Associated Advocates, co-heading the Oil, Gas, Energy and Mining practice alongside litigation and financial dispute resolution.

A Chevening Scholar with an LLM from the University of Aberdeen, he brings deep regulatory, legal, and commercial acumen to natural resource governance, extractive projects, and national policy matters.

Hon. Judith Nabakooba is the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development of the Republic of Uganda. Her portfolio is central to Uganda’s investment environment because land security, planned urban growth, housing delivery and spatial development determine how rapidly projects move from concept to execution.

Uganda’s housing sector presents a major investment opportunity. Recent government policy material identifies a national housing deficit of approximately 2.4 million to 2.6 million units, with the country requiring around 300,000 new housing units annually to close the gap.

Kristian Kvavik is Chief Executive Officer and Board Director of Memnon Capital Africa, bringing more than twenty-five years of international leadership across finance, agriculture and sustainable energy. He specialises in building asset-backed investment platforms supported by institutional governance, disciplined capital allocation and transparent execution.

At Memnon Capital Africa, Kristian plays a central role in shaping investment platforms across Uganda and the wider East African region, with a focus on sectors where real assets, productive infrastructure and sustainable growth intersect.

Hefin Rees KC is a senior barrister at 3 Verulam Buildings (3VB) in London. Called to the Bar in 1992 and appointed King’s Counsel in 2013, he brings more than 30 years of experience in international commercial disputes, civil fraud, company law, professional negligence, banking, and financial services.

Alongside his legal practice, Hefin is connected to Uganda through SOAI, Spotlight on Africa, and is actively exploring strategic partnership opportunities linked to Uganda’s mining, energy, infrastructure, and project development landscape.

Colonel Edith Nakalema leads the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), the Government of Uganda’s dedicated mechanism for safeguarding investor interests and fast-tracking resolution of investment-related challenges. Appointed by the President, she oversees the operationalisation of Uganda’s Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP).

Under her leadership, SHIPU plays a central role in strengthening investor confidence, addressing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and coordinating high-level inter-agency support to unlock stalled or delayed investment projects.

Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza is a Ugandan scientist, veterinarian, microbiologist, epidemiologist and public-sector leader with extensive experience across science policy, public health, innovation, industrial transformation and national crisis response.

She previously served as Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President, and later moved to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, placing her at the centre of Uganda’s energy, petroleum, mining and industrial value-addition agenda.

Irene Kauma is a seasoned author, certified leadership speaker and coach, and the inspiring voice behind the Dear Destined One podcast. With nearly 30 years of experience in administration, management, public service, and leadership development, she serves as Founder of HillCity Consult.

Irene currently serves as Undersecretary and Senior Private Secretary to the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports in the Government of Uganda, combining faith, public service, leadership, and administration.

Mr Humphrey R. Asiimwe is the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, the private sector chamber representing Uganda’s energy, mining, oil, gas and extractives industries. Appointed CEO in March 2023, Mr Asiimwe leads UCEM’s strategic direction and operational execution.

He brings more than two decades of professional experience across executive management, human capital development, organisational transformation, logistics, healthcare, public administration and banking.

H.E. Nimisha Madhvani, High Commissioner of Uganda to the United Kingdom, will offer her insights on strengthening Uganda–UK bilateral ties, with a focus on advancing mutual economic and development interests through strategic diplomacy.

Drawing on her extensive diplomatic experience, she will explore how Uganda is positioning itself as a reliable trade and investment partner within the Commonwealth and beyond, underlining the importance of diaspora engagement in national development.

Haluk Kulin is Chief Operations Officer and Board Director of Memnon Capital Africa, bringing extensive international experience across operations, capital formation, investor readiness and emerging-market expansion. He is an operational strategist and capital integrator, focused on translating investment strategy into executable platforms.

At Memnon Capital Africa, Haluk oversees execution, cross-border partnerships and operational readiness across the company’s investment platforms, helping address how mining and beneficiation opportunities can be prepared for investors.