About Grow
About Grow
GROW: Is a year-long mentorship program for young CEOs. By young CEOs we mean first-time CEOs, those that have started their own initiatives/enterprises in the role of CEOs and have no prior executive leadership experience, and those aspiring to be CEOs.
GROW focuses on self-leadership, people leadership, money management, legacy, and succession. Leaders are provided with tools, resources and interactive assignments that support their learning and growth in the 4 areas. Each GROW leader is assigned a certified coach to buttress their growth for the duration of the program. The program methodology empowers decision-makers to re-ignite their leadership prowess while accelerating their potential and capacity to lead themselves and their organizations effectively and efficiently.
Grow is a space where:
Gallant leaders
Reach within themselves
On a journey to
Win together.
Long-term goal
An embodied, conscious, radical, revolutionary leader capable of deepening, leveraging, amplifying, and pollinating current leadership for reproduction at the individual, organizational, collective, and communal levels.
Objectives
To develop the capacity of emerging leaders.
To develop the skill of self-awareness among leaders.
To improve institutional performance through heightened people skills of and develop individual skills of leaders.
To establish an accountable circle of leaders in their various spheres of influence.
To establish a support framework for leaders through access to professional Coaches and mentors.
Modules
Know Yourself to Grow Yourself
Know Your People to Grow Your People
Know Your Money to Grow Your Money
Succession, Footprint, and Legacy
Know Your Brand to Grow Your Brand
OUR GROWERS
Meet the dynamic trailblazers of GROW¡ Cohort 5!
Get ready, because GROW¡ Cohort 5 has arrived, and they’re nothing short of extraordinary! This vibrant group brings together innovators, dreamers, and doers from all corners of life, each with a unique story and a powerful drive to grow.
We can’t wait to see how these rising changemakers transform their careers, uplift their communities, and shape the world around them.
Say hello to the inspiring members of GROW¡ Cohort 4!
We’re excited to introduce the talented individuals who make up GROW¡ Cohort 4! Hailing from various fields and walks of life, this diverse group is united by a shared determination to advance their personal and professional growth. As they embark on their GROW¡ journey, they have already begun to make their mark. Their energy and vision are nothing short of inspiring, and we’re eager to see the lasting impact they’ll create in their careers and communities.
Meet our GROW¡ Cohort 3 participants!
We are proud to present the exceptional individuals GROW¡ Cohort 3! This remarkable group, drawn from diverse backgrounds and professions, has brought unique perspectives and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to personal and professional growth.
OUR GROW¡ STORIES
MEET OUR FACILITATORS
Danstan Kisuule was the founding chairman of Y-Save in 2000. Y-Save is a saving and Investment scheme that is registered as a Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Ltd. Y-Save inculcates the culture of saving and investing in its members. His leadership has steered Y-Save to become one of the leading savings and investment schemes in Uganda. He was first the Vice Chairperson from March 2012 to July 2014 and later became the Chairperson of Investment Clubs Association of Uganda (ICAU) from August 2014 to November 2016. He is one of the peer leaders of this association that brings together all Investment Clubs in Uganda
Polly is a general HR practitioner with over 3 decades of practical work experience in the corporate world. She has worked in different industries from NGO, Insurance, Telecommunication, commodity and the Financial space which saw her work for a Big 4 as Regional HR Director for 9 years.
Moses Rutahigwa is the Head of Consumer, Private, and Business Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda. He has over 16 years of experience in the banking sector mainly focused on business model transformation, change management, and digitalization.
Grace Makoko is a career banker with over twenty-five years’ experience in the banking industry in East Africa. Grace is one of a few East African bankers with senior banking experience in both Corporate Banking and Financial Markets. She began her illustrious banking career at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda straight after graduating from Makerere University
Joseph Ajal is the Chief Executive Officer, Principal Consultant, Associate Certified Coach (ICF), and Content Curator and leads Precision HR Proprietary Ltd. Joseph is a Human Resources professional, formerly the Secretary-General of the Human Resources Managers’ Association of Uganda (HRMAU), a Certified Talent Practitioner (CTP), a Chartered HR Business Partner (CHRBP), Fellow of the American Academy of Project Management (F – AAPM), a Balanced Scorecard Professional (BSP), and a very passionate believer in the transformational power of people in the bigger picture of the organization, if they are excited, focused and in tune with the corporation’s strategy.
Gloria Bwandungi Mugarura is a writer, co-director at Tokra Innovation, creative director at Papura Inc., and an all-around geek hoping to have her immortal soul transferred into a robot body in the near future. With her hands constantly working on one creative endeavor or another, she often finds herself snagged by fantastical worlds ready for exploration, or scientific wonders hidden in science fiction.
Belinda Namutebi is a branding & communications professional with over 20 years of experience. She is also an entrepreneur, with over 11 brands, with messages that promote National Pride, culture, and child play. Her most notable innovation- I'm so Uganda #ondaba apparel has become a favorite travel item for Ugandans each time they travel overseas. Belinda is a member of the DFCU Women Business Advocacy Council and is a Mum to a 10 year old daughter. Read more
MEET OUR COACHES
Denis Nuwagaba is a certified Career Strategist and Transformation Coach with 20 years of experience across Africa in NGO programming, consulting, and leadership development. He specialises in organisation development, leadership growth, performance management, and career transition coaching, helping professionals gain clarity and move forward. He holds graduate qualifications in Public Health and Development Studies, currently coaches with Harvard University’s Macy Institute program (2025 to 2026), supports leadership programs including URA’s STEER and GROWi, and has led and documented large multi country initiatives across health, education, child protection, and disability inclusion.
James is the Chief Executive Officer of Nirel Company Limited which focuses on serving the comprehensive needs of businesses with regard to Leadership, Business Strategy, Sales, Marketing, Communications and Customer Service.
He also served as the Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Uganda Revenue Authority Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCO) – the 2nd Biggest SACCO in Uganda where he led the strategy development that has resulted into growth of our total assets from 60 billion to over 112 billion.
He has previously worked as the Project Manager for the Customs Modernization Projects, URA, and a Vice-Chairperson of the World Customs Organization - Advance Passenger Information Contact Committee. (A body responsible for managing more than 98% of world trade in 185 Countries)
He has demonstrated experience starting and leading profitable business ventures in the Knowledge Consulting Industry, Transport and Finance Sectors.
Meet Caroline T. Egesa, a seasoned Advocate of the High Court of Uganda since 2007, seamlessly blending legal expertise with a diverse skill set. Caroline holds an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach certification, showcasing a commitment to holistic development and empowerment with one year of professional coaching experience.
JB is an ICT professional with over 20 years’ work experience. He has worked in both public and private sector institutions in the East African region performing various roles in the areas of ICT, Operations, Logistics and Project management.
Mary Sarah Nassali Certified Transformation Coach and ICF Member Experienced business executive with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer packaged goods industry. Skilled in Strategy, Business planning, Profitable Revenue growth, Marketing, Innovation and Corporate governance.
Hannah is a Personal and Business Development advisor with extensive experience in strategy, business and leadership development. Hannah has a passion for “success through others”. She views personal success as not merely an achievement but helping others succeed as a genuine accomplishment.
Peter Magara is a Learning and Change facilitator. Peter supports organizations measure results from their work and facilitates learning processes to enable them adapt to change and position themselves to achieve greater impact.
Sam is an ICF Certified Coach, a Certified Public Accountant, and a Certified MBTI Practitioner. He holds a Masters in Accounting and Management Science degree; University of Southampton, UK, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Makerere University.
Christine Mukasa-Mugerwa is a transformational life coach who helps individuals achieve their dreams and goals in months rather than years. She is driven by helping her clients live out their purpose and achieving a fulfilling and joy-filled life. Through motivation and accountability, Christine helps people deal with the sometimes overwhelming prospect of living out their dreams while achieving their desired goals.
Wilson Asiimwe was a Senior Research Fellow at Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) between 2000 and 2010. In addition to his postgraduate education in population studies, Wilson has attended various courses to develop his professional skills. He has supported Government of Uganda and various development partners to execute various development programs.
Jacqueline is the Founder and CEO of CivSource Africa. CivSource Africa is a philanthropy support organization that works to influence philanthropic practice in Africa. Jacqueline has over 3 decades of experience working with and supporting civil society leaders and organizations in Africa.
GROW¡ COHORT HIGHLIGHTS
The GROW¡ Module 5 session held in March 2026 brought together Growers, alumni, and guests for a reflective engagement on leadership, succession, footprint, and legacy. Facilitated by Mr. Francis Kamulegeya, the session challenged participants to look beyond personal success and consider the continuity of their impact through intentional leadership, self-awareness, and long-term thinking. Through practical insights and dialogue, Growers explored how daily actions shape lasting influence, leaving with clearer direction, strengthened leadership tools, and a renewed commitment to building, leading, and leaving well.
#WatchOutHereWeGrow
GROW¡ Cohort 5 Reflections
Financial Wellness for Organisations reflects on GROW¡ Cohort 5’s exploration of how institutions build, manage, and sustain their financial health. From grants, partnerships, and revenue generation to debt, cash flow, profitability, and accountability, the session invited participants to think more strategically about money within the organisations they lead. Grounded in practical insight and shared reflection, the piece underscores that financial sustainability is not simply about finding funds, but about aligning financial decisions with purpose, governance, and long-term direction.
GROW¡ Cohort 5 | Module 4: Personal Finance- Know Your Money
The Architecture of Financial Wellness captures the energy, insight, and reflection that shaped GROW¡ Cohort 5’s Module 4 on personal finance. Bringing together participants, guests, and facilitators in a dynamic learning space, the session explored cash flow, budgeting, multiple income streams, discipline, and the deeper mindset required to build lasting financial wellness. Through practical exercises, personal storytelling, and participant reflections, the experience revealed that financial growth is not only about money management, but about vision, self-mastery, and the habits that strengthen legacy over time.
Know Your Money to Grow Your Money: A Reflection on Personal Financial Growth
Know Your Money to Grow Your Money is a thoughtful reflection on personal financial growth, shaped by the emotions, aspirations, and hard questions people carry about money. Moving from spending and excitement to discipline, investment, compounding, and long-term freedom, it explores how financial growth begins with awareness and matures through intentional choices. At its core, the piece reminds us that money is more than currency. It is capacity, choice, and the ability to live in closer alignment with purpose and values.
This January, GROW¡ Cohort 5 paused for a wellness-centred reflection session titled “Grounded Leadership: Reflect, Heal, and Grow Forward.” Bringing together 22 leaders (15 in person and 7 online), the session created a psychologically safe space to slow down, reconnect with self, and process the personal and professional shifts that have shaped their leadership since completing Modules 1, 2, and 3.
Facilitated by Grace Kabatangare and supported by Gloria Ampaire (Emotional and Psychological Counsellor), the experience blended mindfulness, journaling, and guided conversations around three questions: what has shifted within, what has changed around, and where support is still needed. Leaders left feeling grounded, re-energised, and clearer about their leadership direction.
Read more: Full session highlights and featured reflections from the Growers.
GROW¡ Cohort 5 began 2026 with Step by Step We GROW¡, a class-led initiative designed to take learning beyond the session room and into the city. Through two guided walks starting and ending at Acacia Mall, Growers walked with the CEO of CivSource Africa, engaged in guided reflection, and began the year grounded in clarity, shared purpose, and community.
Across both walks, 15 Growers participated in intimate conversations shaped by intentional pauses on gratitude, identity and belonging, leadership skills, courageous decision-making, and the discipline of finishing well, with a joyful moment of movement reminding everyone that leadership also needs rhythm and rest.
The Brand Is You is a reflection piece from Module 2 of GROW¡ Cohort 5, facilitated by Ms. Belinda Agnes Namutebi and attended by 26 leaders. The session opened with a bold question: If you were a product on a supermarket shelf, would anyone choose you? From there, participants moved beyond “branding as image” and into branding as authenticity, purpose, and connection, how you show up, what people experience when they encounter you, and the value you consistently deliver.
Guided by Belinda’s F.A.C.E. Framework (Functionality, Appeal, Community Service, Emotional Appeal), leaders reflected on self-awareness, consistency, and strategic visibility, both personally and institutionally. The key takeaway was simple: a brand is not a logo or a tagline; it is the reputation you build through aligned values, clear action, and meaningful service.