Three Ugandans among top 100 most influential women in Africa
The recognition honours women who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities through exemplary service and leadership.
Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) chief executive officer Goretti Masadde (middle) and Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) deputy director general Olive Birungi Lumonya (left) were recognised at the awards Kigali, Rwanda. . (Courtesy photos)
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Three Ugandan women have been named among the top 100 women in Africa for 2025 at the fourth Edition of the African Women Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) chief executive officer Goretti Masadde and Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) deputy director general Olive Birungi Lumonya have been recognised at the awards, organised by the ‘She Achievers Network’, which celebrates African women who are shaping the continent through leadership, innovation and social impact.
The recognition honours women who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities through exemplary service and leadership. Each woman received a certificate and a memento, joining a network of African female leaders under the ‘She Achievers Network.’
Masadde was recognised as a visionary leader at UIBFS, where she is the first female CEO. While in office, she has redefined leadership through innovation, inclusion and purpose.
"This recognition isn't mine alone; it's for the collective effort of so many brilliant minds and dedicated women who continue to shape Africa’s financial landscape. To the organisers, thank you for creating a platform that celebrates women who drive transformation with integrity," Masadde says in a social media post dated November 9, 2025.
"To my colleagues at the UIBFS and to every woman striving to lead with purpose, this recognition is a reminder that our work matters, and that Africa’s progress depends on us all choosing to learn, transform, and lead every day."
Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) chief executive officer Goretti Masadde receiving the award.
A trailblazer dedicated to breaking barriers and creating opportunities, she was Uganda’s first female brewer and the first female President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), paving the way for other women leaders, with three female presidents following in her footsteps since.
Under her stewardship, the Institute has undergone a remarkable transformation—navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with agility by pioneering e-learning solutions that earned national recognition from the National Council for Higher Education.
She also led a bold organisational restructuring and rebranding exercise, revitalising the Institute’s identity, enhancing productivity, and strengthening its visibility, positioning UIBFS as Uganda’s premier training hub for the banking and financial services sector.
A strong advocate for sustainability, Masadde has also spearheaded the integration of green and climate finance into banking education through the development of the recently launched Green Finance Curriculum in partnership with aBi Finance and the introduction of ESG-focused training programs.
She was further honoured with the Inaugural Danish Embassy Green Excellence Award for her outstanding contribution to climate-conscious leadership in 2024.
UCAA’s Lumonya
Lumonya, on the other hand, said: I am honoured and privileged to have been recognised among the top 100 women in Africa.”
At the event, Lumonya served as a keynote speaker where she addressed guests and delegates under the theme, Empowering Heritage, Elevating Futures: Uniting African Women for Sustainable Progress.
“I am humbled and grateful for this prestigious award in the leadership category. I thank God for His favour and blessings. This award is dedicated to my beautiful granddaughter, Ayana,” she said.
Lumonya’s recognition follows a distinguished record of international honours. In 2022, she received the World Women Leadership Award. In 2024, she was honoured with the Global Leadership and Impact Award on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
“This African Women Award is special to me because it comes from home – Africa, where my entire journey begins and ends,” she reflected.
She looked back fondly on her leadership journey spanning over 30 years, beginning in her school and university days, through youth leadership roles, including representing young women at the historic World Women’s Conference in Beijing, China.
“This leadership journey has great footprints from the organisations where I was given opportunities to work and serve on various boards of directors,” she said.
Lumonya extended appreciation to her mentors, family and professional colleagues. “Special thanks to my mentors who have been strong pillars in guiding me throughout my career journey.”
The African Women Awards have become one of the continent’s leading platforms celebrating women whose leadership and innovation inspire progress in governance, business, social impact and development.
The African Women Awards, organised by The Business Executive magazine based in Ghana, annually celebrate 100 of Africa’s most influential women in their home countries and across the continent.
At the time of publishing this story, New Vision Online was yet to get the identity of the third Ugandan recognised among the top 100 most influential women in Africa.