Equity Bank Uganda has announced the appointment of Gift Shoko as its new Managing Director, subject to the approval of the Bank of Uganda. This appointment was confirmed by Mark Ocitti, Board Chairman of Equity Bank Uganda Limited.

Shoko takes over from Anthony Kituuka, who resigned from the position. Ocitti expressed confidence in Shoko’s leadership abilities, stating, “On behalf of the Board and Management of Equity Bank Uganda, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Gift Shoko as the new Managing Director, subject to regulatory approval.”

Ocitti further emphasized Shoko’s extensive experience, noting his proven track record in banking, corporate strategy, and digital transformation. “Shoko’s expertise aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver innovative and inclusive financial solutions to our customers. We are confident that under his leadership, Equity Bank Uganda will strengthen its commitment to enhancing customer experience and expanding our reach across Uganda,” Ocitti added.
Shoko is a seasoned banker with over 26 years of experience in the industry. He brings a wealth of knowledge in commercial banking and leadership, having worked across Southern and Eastern Africa. Before his appointment as Managing Director, Shoko served as the Executive Director of Equity Bank Uganda.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and Computer Science degree from the University of Zimbabwe, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration (Banking and Finance) from CIMA in Nicosia, Cyprus. In addition, Shoko holds several certifications in banking, finance, and leadership, and is a certified Executive Coach and a certified Genos Emotional Intelligence Coach.
Prior to joining Equity Bank, Shoko was the NCBA Group Director for Regional Business, overseeing banking subsidiaries across East Africa. Earlier in his career, he served as the CEO of Commercial Bank of Africa (Tanzania) Limited for five years, where he played a key role in driving the bank’s growth.
Shoko’s banking career began at Nedbank Zimbabwe, where he participated in the graduate management training program before advancing through various senior management roles. He also served as Group Chief Operating Officer at a Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed diversified financial services group, where he successfully reorganized the company and led its re-listing on the stock exchange. With a wealth of experience in corporate governance, Shoko has also served on various boards in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi.

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The African Union (AU), has adopted a new agricultural development strategy that will see the continent increase its agrifood output by 45 per cent by 2035 and transform its agri-food systems as part of its new plan to become food secure in a decade.

This is after the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) held in Kampala, Uganda, adopted the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, and the Kampala CAADP Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa, which will be implemented from 2026 to 2035.

In the Kampala declaration, the 55 AU member states set forth six commitments that should transform and strengthen the agri-food system on the continent. The African Union heads of state and government noted that Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion people by 2050, while the global population is expected to reach 9.8 billion people. They appreciated the challenges this will pose for food demand, and therefore the need for significant increases in agricultural production, productivity, food processing, and trade. In this regard, they committed to intensify sustainable food production, agro-industrialization, and trade

The strategy will also see Africa reduce post-harvest loss by 50 per cent, triple intra-African trade in agrifood products and inputs by 2035, and raise the share of locally processed food to 35 per cent of agrifood GDP by 2035.The adoption of the strategy is seen as a pivotal moment that will lay the groundwork for agri-food systems across the continent, and enable countries to act.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni urged the extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) to promote value addition, saying that Africa cannot continue importing food to feed her population. “This Africa of having no food and begging is not the real Africa, but the colonial and neo-colonial Africa. It is a shame. The battle for value addition has been a big one because lobbies want to keep Africa as a raw-materials-producing continent. Adding value to agricultural products ensures vertical integration in the agricultural sector—from the garden to the table and from the farm to the wardrobe,” he said.
On the issue of non-tariff barriers (NTBs), he called on fellow leaders to open up the borders since they continue to undermine the advancement of agriculture in Africa. “Uganda easily produces all types of agricultural products. However, production is disrupted when some brother countries say they have bumper crops and delicense Ugandan products”, he added.

On his part, the AUC Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, noted that the ambitious CAADP Programme has been implemented since 2014 within the framework of the Malabo Declaration. He however, expressed dissatisfaction with the rate of progress.
“The various biennial evaluations of the commitments made by Member States, initiated in 2017 under this declaration, certainly show progress towards achieving the set objectives, but at an unsatisfactory pace,” Faki said.

The AUC chairperson welcomed the preparatory work undertaken by the African Union Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, the Regional Economic Communities, experts from Member States, and technical and financial partners in preparing the Kampala Declaration.
“It symbolises the sum total of all the efforts made upstream in identifying all the negative factors that lie at the root of the low rate of the attainment of our set objectives for the Agricultural sector on the continent,” Faki said.
Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said there was an urgent need for renewed collective commitment and concerted action to achieve Africa’s shared vision for a food-sovereign and prosperous Africa.
“This Summit marks a defining moment for Africa, where we will be able to chart out the course of the continent’s agri-food system,” Taye said.
The AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, Amb. Josefa Sacko said the Kampala declaration was different from the Malabo and Maputo declarations in that it included a comprehensive strategy and action plan.

“This will allow member states to begin implementing immediately after the adoption,” she told the heads of state and government on the last day of the extraordinary summit held in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

“We now have a clear roadmap, a theory of change that outlines the pathway to transformation, realistic and implementable strategic objectives, a broad policy scope enhancing food system approaches, and targets that reflect the continent’s aspirations,” she said, adding that the inclusive design process ensures that the continent is well prepared to work towards the agriculture transformation vision outlined in Agenda 2063.

Amb. Sacko said the adoption of the new CAADP strategy and action plan 2026-2035 in Kampala would shape the transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems over the next decade.
Norway’s State Minister and representative of development partners, Bjørg Sandkjær, noted that Africa’s new strategy emphasises the critical role of agri-food systems in economic growth and ensuring food security, improved nutrition and sustainable health outcomes for all.

“We commend this bold vision, which aligns with the continent’s broader aspirations for prosperity, resilience and inclusive development through the AU Agenda 2063,” Sandkjær said.

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Last evening, police successfully foiled a bank robbery at Acacia Mall, apprehending four suspects involved in a heist targeting Stanbic Bank.

Kituuma Rusoke, the police spokesperson, confirmed that a fifth suspect is in critical condition. The individuals were already on the police watchlist and are believed to be connected to a series of previous robberies.
“The Uganda Police Force has successfully thwarted an attempted robbery involving Shs 500 million,” Rusoke stated.
In an intelligence-driven operation, police deployed officers to key locations, leading to the interception of suspects traveling on motorcycles. The suspects had been tracking their target from Acacia Mall, intending to steal a cash bag, but were intercepted at several points, including Total Acacia and Tagore Road.
Rusoke reported that six suspects were neutralized, and police recovered two motorcycles, two pangas, and pepper spray.
Developing story.

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Mubiru Enock Joel, a student from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), is set to be one of the thousands of graduates at Makerere University’s 75th graduation ceremony, which commenced today. He will graduate on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, as the top-performing student in the sciences.

A total of 13,658 students, including 143 PhD candidates, will graduate during the five-day ceremony held at the university's Freedom Square.

Born in 2001 to Nsubuga Francis and Ms. Nambejja Lydia of Luwafu, Makindye Division, Kampala, Mubiru began his educational journey at Canan Primary School in Makindye. He later attended Kabale Ssanje Secondary School in Kyotera District, where he completed his O' and A' Level education. At A' Level, Mubiru excelled in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, achieving an impressive 17 points. This outstanding performance earned him a government scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics at Makerere University.

Despite coming from a humble background, Mubiru’s determination to succeed remained steadfast. His academic excellence secured several bursaries, easing the financial burden on his parents. In fact, his parents stopped paying his school fees during his lower primary years, as his stellar performance ensured he received the necessary support.

Mubiru will graduate with a remarkable CGPA of 4.91 in his Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Physics) degree, making him the top-performing student in the sciences at Makerere University this year. His hard work and dedication have propelled him to the forefront of his cohort.

He credits much of his success to the mentorship and guidance he received from his lecturers, particularly Dr. Saul Nsubuga, a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at CoNAS. Dr. Nsubuga played a pivotal role in both Mubiru’s academic and personal development, offering valuable mentorship and treating him like a son.

Dr. Nsubuga also connected Mubiru with various opportunities, including his current role as an Operations Analyst at Xeno Investment, where he has worked since completing his studies in June 2024. In addition, Mubiru tutors mathematics students from countries such as Uganda, the USA, Italy, and Northern Cyprus.

Mubiru is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of his parents throughout his academic journey. He also appreciates the management of CoNAS and Makerere University for fostering an environment that enabled his academic success.

Looking ahead, Mubiru plans to pursue a Master’s degree and a PhD in Mathematics. In the long term, he aspires to teach mathematics at various educational levels and hopes to establish one of Uganda’s leading data analytics firms, given the evolving demand in the data science industry.

Mubiru believes that success in any field requires focus and commitment. Throughout his undergraduate studies, he strived to be the best, and his efforts have been recognized. His tips for success include actively engaging in academic discussions, consulting regularly with teachers, and dedicating sufficient time to revision. He encourages fellow students at Makerere University to stay focused from their first year and actively participate in academic discussions to excel.

Given the large number of students at the university, Mubiru calls on the University Management to invest in enhancing learning infrastructure to better support the academic success of all students.

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Ahead of the highly anticipated Ikon Awards 2025, Hollywood actor and producer Morocco Omari hosted an acting masterclass with over 200 attendees at UCC House in Bugolobi.

The masterclass was part of Ikonversations, a key activity of the 2025 Ikon Awards. Ikonversations is an initiative designed to offer a platform for renowned filmmakers from around the world to share their expertise, experiences, and insights. The program aims to inspire and empower emerging filmmakers, actors, and creatives, helping them elevate their craft and thrive in the industry.

Omari is a seasoned actor, screenwriter, and producer, celebrated for his roles in Empire, Chicago Fire, Homeland, and many other popular series.

During the masterclass, participants were paired for practical sessions, with each pair assigned a specific character to portray. Some participants acted as soldiers, while others took on the roles of politicians. Omari was impressed by the quality of the performances.

He also offered valuable advice on becoming an excellent actor. “You cannot lie to the camera. It’s important to remain confident, as this helps you fully embody any character you wish to portray,” he shared.

When discussing strategies to enhance Uganda’s film industry, Omari emphasized that the quality of content is key to attracting international recognition. He urged filmmakers to focus on producing high-quality work that could make a global impact.

One of the participants, Ms. Malaika, expressed her gratitude to the Ikon Awards for hosting the masterclass. “I’ve learned so much, especially the importance of staying professional,” she said.

Malaika made her acting debut in Nisha Kalema’s 2018 drama Veronica's Wish, where she played a supporting role as Bankia. More recently, she joined the main cast of The Honourables in 2019.

Ikonversations highlights the Ikon Awards’ commitment to promoting quality film production through capacity-building, mentorship, and inspiration. As the countdown to the Ikon Awards begins, Omari’s masterclass is just one of many events designed to bring together both emerging and established filmmakers, actors, and creatives. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from local and international industry professionals.

The 3rd edition of the Ikon Awards is scheduled for March 29, 2025, at Serena Hotel Kampala. These prestigious annual awards celebrate creativity, excellence, and innovation in Uganda’s film and creative sectors, aiming to honor exceptional talent, projects, and contributions that elevate the industry both locally and internationally.

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